[Sacred Succulents] Travel announcement

Tue Dec 2 15:27:23 PST 2008

A number of you have asked about joining us on our travels, well, 
here's the first opportunity! ((((((Ben))))))
______
Botanical Preservation Corps Announces the first
Ethnobotanical Andean Foray:
Exploring past & present cultural strategies for life on Earth

	Come join us! For 10 days in Spring of 2009 a small group of us 
will walk the land and explore the plants, customs, and archaeology 
of the Andean realm of the Urubamba Valley in south central Peru, a 
region of rugged mountains, pastoral landscapes, and mysterious 
ruins. 

Immerse yourself in a vibrant ecological tapestry woven by the 
reciprocal relations of distinct flora and fauna, stunning 
geography, and traditional cultures whose roots reach far into the 
past drawing essential nutrients from their ancient traditions.

Take advantage of this unique opportunity to learn the basics of 
the dynamic science of ethnobotany, conservation based plant and 
seed collecting, traditional agriculture, indigenous Andean 
spirituality and cross cultural shamanism. Examine some of the most 
alluring archaeological sites in the world, and consider how the 
triumphs and faults of past cultures reflect our modern dilemma of 
how to live on this wondrous planet we all call home.

Our Guides:

Ben Kamm – Director of Botanical Preservation Corps and Sacred 
Succulents nursery and seed bank. Ethnobotanical researcher and 
student of and the herbalist traditions of the world. A 
conservation horticulturalist working with ecologically innovative 
methods of propagation and seed germination of rare beneficial 
plants. Ben is dedicated to the preservation and dissemination of 
traditional and contemporary plant knowledge as well as the plants 
themselves. 

Matthew Magee – Teacher of cross-cultural shamanism and indigenous 
spirituality. Author of Peruvian Shamanism: The Pachakuti Mesa. His 
work has been covered by organizations such as National Geographic 
and National Public Radio (NPR). Despite several college degrees, 
Matthew’s true education was derived from 11 years apprenticeship 
in the curandero traditions of Peru and 2 years spent living with 
the Mi’kmaq peoples in New Brunswick, Canada.    

Neil Logan – Ethnobotanist and Living Systems Designer. Neil is the 
developer of the Bioregional Ethnoecology Database and a consultant 
for Integrated Living Systems Design, LLC. Trained in ethnobotany, 
horticulture, agroforestry and permaculture design; Neil offers 
insights into ancient agricultural systems, wild and cultivated 
species assemblages of human utility as well as modern sustainable 
systems.

	Exact dates, itinerary, and costs are still being decided. But 
we’re eager to know if you’re interested in participating in our 
small, select group (limited to no more than a dozen, plus 
ourselves).  

If, indeed, you are, please fill out the form below and return 
(email or postal) it to us as soon as possible. Your input will 
help us fine-tune the design of the experience. As soon as final 
dates and costs are determined, we’ll let you know so you can make 
a final decision about joining us. For now, we need to hear from 
you! Please fill out the following and get it back to us right 
away. Many thanks for helping us co-create this incomparable 
adventure! -Ben, Matt and Neil -
__________
Questionnaire for BPC Foray:

Name: 
Address: 
Email: 
Phone #: 
Age: 
Occupation: 

Please describe your general state of health: 

What interests you about participating in this trip? What would you 
hope to learn or contribute to such an endeavor?

Have you travelled in Latin America before?  If so, where? 

Roundtrip airfare from the USA  should range from $600-900, and 
will NOT be included in the registration cost of the trip. We want 
to make this 	trip a viable reality for you. After airfare, what 
budget would realistically be workable for you to cover land costs? 