Photo by Kelly Hoffman

Photo by Kelly Hoffman

 

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2025 botany outings tbd

(2024 classes listed below to give you an idea of what is offered)

Richard is available to teach and/or lecture on a wide variety of topics related to plants and herbal medicine, including the following:

  • Clinical uses of herbal medicines on a wide range of topics

  • Diet and Nutrition

  • Field Botany and medicinal plant walks

  • Organic herb gardening

  • Herbal medicine making

Richard is a faculty member at:

Lectures and Presentations

Richard is available to lecture on a range of topics for a wide variety of audiences, from fellow herbalists to the general public, to physicians and other health care professionals. Some current and past venues include the International Herb Symposium, the Symposium of the American Herbalists Guild, Green Festival, and the Columbia University Stroud Center.

2024 Botany Outings

Small group classes, meeting on separate full days this spring and summer in a wild or semi-wild location such as a state or local park, with a focus on botany, herbal medicine, ecology, and field identification skills. These tend to fill up, so don’t wait until the last minute! Scroll to the bottom for information on class fees and how to register.

  • Sat June 15 fern walk, Wurtsboro, NY, 1:00-3:00 PM

  • Solstice Evening Paddle at the Basha Kill, Wurtsboro NY

  • Sat June 29 Aquatic Plant Day at the Basha Kill, Wurtsboro NY

  • Sun July 14 Prospect Park, Brooklyn NY

  • Sat Aug 10 Peatland Bog Adventure, Forestburgh NY

  • Sat August 17 AMC Mohican Center, NJ

  • Sat August 24 Van Cortlandt Park, Bronx NY

  • Sunday September 22, Equinox Celebration at Harriman State Park

TO REGISTER, contact me by email. Your place in the course is secured when payment is received (see below). *Please note that the two MEEC-hosted events, on June 15 and June 20, you will register with MEEC directly as the date gets closer. But you can still let me know you have interest if you like!.

More information will be sent to all registered participants, including: list of what to bring and what to expect, handouts, and detailed directions / google map links to meeting locations. Everyone is expected to arrive 10-15 minutes early; once we are walking off down a trail you may not find us!

Class fee:

The fee is kept low to be as accessible as possible, and is discounted when you sign up for multiple classes.

If you need a scholarship to be able to attend, reach out to me and we will make it happen.

If you are able to pay a higher amount, I will reserve 100% of it for scholarships for people who need it!

  • If you sign up for one all-day class: $75

  • If you sign up for two all-day classes: $70 each class ($140 total)

  • If you sign up for three or more all-day classes: $60 each class.

Payment can be made by paypal, venmo, check, or cash.

  • Paypal: send payment to nyherbalist@gmail.com

  • Venmo: send payment to @Richard-Mandelbaum-1

Cancellation policy: because I keep these classes small and affordable, I am unable to guarantee a refund for canceling. If I am able to find someone to fill your spot, I can refund you minus a small processing fee, but I can’t make promises and it’s unlikely if you cancel at the last minute.

Some important notes about the classes

  • I limit the class size and most of the classes fill up in advance, so if you’re sure you want to join it is best to let me know as soon as you know.

  • Beginners and more advanced students are both very welcome.

  • We’ll practice skills at field identification including species identification and familiarization with common plant families, amid discussion of plant physiology, plant intelligence, taxonomy, and ecology.

  • We'll weave in information about harvesting, wild food and medicinal uses as a bonus. (In general we will not be foraging as we’ll be in parks.)

  • This class will meet rain or shine. No rain dates! “There is no bad weather; only bad clothing.” (I may make an exception for the paddling excursions.)

  • People are responsible for their own transportation to the class locations. I can try to help with carpooling if you let me know, by putting the word out, but I can’t promise anything.