Natural Connections June
Join us at the Sandpoint Library for one or all of the events, see below for schedule and program details:
11 AM: Everyday Resilience: Mindfulness, the Brain and the Benefits of Being Present
In a world that can be challenging, how do we stay grounded, clear-headed and resilient? This interactive workshop blends ancient mindfulness practices with cutting edge brain science to explore how the brain responds to stress & how you can train it to recover, refocus and thrive. Perfect for anyone looking to build inner strength, sharpen mental clarity and develop practical tools for everyday resilience. Ginna will help us learn to stay steady through stress, reconnect with ourselves and support one another. No experience needed – just curiosity, community and a little time to breathe.
About the presenter:
Ginna Minervini, LCSW has dedicated her life to learning, practicing and teaching about the inner workings of the self. She has been a psychotherapist since 1999 specializing in mindfulness, trauma, anxiety, depression, and life transitions up to and including death. She pays attention, personally & in her practice, to how the body, mind & spirit relate to our interactions with ourselves, each other and nature. She believes by creating an environment of nonjudgmental awareness, one can wholly utilize their life experiences for growth, emotional wisdom, well-being and ultimately: transformation. Ginna has been deeply involved in meditation and spirituality for over four decades and is continuing her studies by becoming a certified Mindfulness Meditation Teacher.
12:30 PM: Herbs, Hacks and Healing: A Quest for Calm and Emotional Well-being
Learn how key herbs and simple lifestyle shifts can support emotional balance, steady energy, and a more resilient you.
In a world filled with daily stressors and unexpected challenges, emotional resilience is more essential than ever. In this inspiring outdoor class, Suzanne Tabert of Cedar Mountain Herb School will guide you through how chronic stress impacts the nervous system, contributes to inflammation, and creates a cascade of physical and emotional symptoms.
You’ll explore key herbs—specifically nervines and adaptogens—that nourish the nervous system, support emotional steadiness, and help the body recover from stress. Alongside the plant work, Suzanne will share simple, sustainable lifestyle practices that build inner strength and help maintain balance through life’s ups and downs.
We’ll also dive deeper into the gifts of mugwort, a plant long valued for its role in emotional and energetic resilience. Participants will have the opportunity to create either a mugwort bundle for clearing and protection, or a mugwort vinegar to nourish and support the nervous system at home. (All materials will be provided.)
Rooted in time-tested herbal wisdom and decades of practical experience, this class offers real-world strategies for creating a foundation of calm, clarity, and resilience—naturally. This class is designed for all levels of herbal knowledge. Bring your notebook, your curiosity, and your desire to reconnect with steady, grounded well-being.
About the presenter:
Suzanne Tabert is a bioregional herbalist, author, and the Director of Herbal Education at Cedar Mountain Herb School. With 38 years of experience teaching plant medicine, wildcrafting, and healthy lifestyle practices, Suzanne is passionate about empowering people to connect with plants and create vibrant, resilient lives. Her workshops and programs are known for being engaging, fun, and entertaining, while delivering practical, hands-on knowledge. Cedar Mountain Herb School, based in the Pacific Northwest, is dedicated to providing accessible, sustainability-rooted herbal education built on time-honored traditions and respect for the natural world.
2:30 PM: Making Natural Inks & Pigments
In this introduction to the world of living color, participants will explore different plants and rocks to create non-toxic art.
Smash, smoosh, sift and boil. These highly scientific techniques will be put to practice in this introduction to natural inks and pigments. Come take a walk through the garden and explore plants and rocks that make color. Then, try out your painting skills with freshly made inks.
About the presenter:
Brianna has two true missions in life: spending her life outdoors and sharing her knowledge and passion with others. Through her knowledge, and the use of the natural resources around us, she seeks to help others find a true connection with the land and the greater world. Brianna Larson also works at the Kaniksu Land Trust and Kaniksu Folk School.
