Beneath the Wild Canopy
ForestWise is more than a business—it’s a way of living in harmony with nature.
Whether through crafting herbal remedies, guiding plant walks, or hosting hands-on workshops, our mission is to empower people with knowledge, cultivate community, and rekindle a deep respect for the earth.
Sarah Olson
Founder, Herbalist & Educator
Sarah’s journey into herbalism began as a personal search for better health. What started with diet and supplements soon deepened into a devoted study of plant medicine, leading her to formal training at Greenwood Herbals in Maine. She continued her learning through hands-on experiences across the U.S. and Ecuador, exploring regional herbal traditions and the profound relationship between people and plants.
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Now rooted in Bend, Oregon, Sarah weaves together her skills in herbal formulation, foraging, and teaching to help others reconnect with the land. Through ForestWise Collective, she offers workshops, private consultations, and immersive learning experiences that bridge ancient herbal wisdom with modern living. Her work emphasizes sustainability, seasonal rhythms, and practical ways to integrate plant medicine into everyday life.
Madeline Wettig
Guest Educator
Some old woman in me has been removing my shoes and rubbing sagebrush between my hands for about a decade now. She's been gently showing me the way of things, the way of a life devoted to a place and its people.
I’ve been looking to the plants for a long time now, learning about their medicines and foods, their fibers for weaving, their ways of being. I like to teach the things that have made a beautiful impact on my life. In the past few years that’s included classes on homemade remedy-making for common ailments, weaving baskets with wild plants, and identifying/foraging local plants to eat and heal with.
I’m currently studying with the teachers of Wild Rose College pursuing clinical herbalism. I dream of opening a co-operative school for herbal medicine on the east side of the Cascades as well as hosting a free clinic for the homeless and low-income community in Central Oregon.
Over my lifetime, I hope to help revive local plant knowledge and encourage a norm that’s more natural, communal, and attentive to the beauty of the Earth.
Vision
ForestWise is a place to learn traditional, herbal and nature-based skills from a collective of passionate teachers. Our workshops and other events are lovingly offered to our community in hopes of instilling the joy and autonomy the power of Nature brings to the human condition.
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Nature heals. Let’s learn from her together.