I am an artist and practicing herbalist in Chicago. Throughout my herbalism practice, I’ve learned that if we listen to the earth as deeply as we can listen to our bodies, then we can nourish our health alongside protecting our land. When I listen to the earth, I am told to slow down, move with intention and the seasons. There’s a fast-paced reputation in America, and more recently there’s been extra layers of fear and insecurity of safety. When I started my project, “Plant Friends Chicago," it was to continue the connections I have within my herbalism cohort and to extend my learnings with those in my community. A lot of my learnings have been around slowness and calming the nervous system. I invite my family and community to herbal workshops at my local library and garden tours at the farm where I’m studying herbalism. These spaces are quiet, and we get to connect with the plants as they’re growing or in herbal remedy preparations. My goal is that these offerings can help restore calmness to my community, and inspire curiosity on building friendships with our plant friends.