I was born in rural north Idaho, where I spent most of my childhood building homes for resident fairies and other small woodland creatures. I completed a three year clinical herbalism program at ArborVitae in 2018. Forever in love with the hearts and words of plant people, I now work as a teaching mentor as well as manage and edit the school’s blog (and substack). If I’m not meeting with clients or gallivanting around Prospect Park, you can generally find me planting, harvesting, or making fun herby products with my friends and daughter (who loves waving to “baby mugwort” in the park). Prior to ArborVitae, I studied with Peeka Trenkle and David Winston, and engaged in a number of herbalism workshops. I also hold an MA in sociology from The New School and am just about halfway through the certificate in horticulture at Brooklyn Botanic Garden.
My previous study of social structures permeates my current work with humans and plants, highlighting the importance of micro and macro social institutions and their impact on personal experience. Nonprofits forever hold a piece of my heart, and buttressed my experience working with diverse populations, including children in foster care and formerly incarcerated men. I value evidence-based research and am also a freelance writer for various nonprofit organizations, individual artists, and small businesses.
Dana M. Perry - herbalist 