About Us

We donate 10% of all profits to the Canadian Ancient Forest Alliance.  View their mission statement: Our Mission & Team - Ancient Forest Alliance


It begins in the heart of the Kootenay mountains—a place where crisp mountain air carries the scent of pine, where wild herbs grow in hidden meadows, and where the rhythm of nature dictates our days, as it should be.   For me, a young mother of small children, this wilderness is more than a source of healing; it’s a classroom. Here, I teach my little ones to honor and respect the land, passing on the timeless wisdom of wild plants to the next generation. At Kootenay Wildcrafting, I don’t just create products; I tell the story of the wilderness, one plant at a time, and share its gifts with families who value the connection between nature and wellness. 

My journey began with a simple question: How can I share the healing power of the Kootenay wilderness with the world? As a lifelong lover of the land, I've spent years exploring these mountains, learning to understand the plants, and honing the art of wildcrafting. Every product I create is a tribute to this place—a way to bring the magic of the wild into your life.  This medicine belongs to all.

Foraging: All plants are foraged on foot in the pristine wild areas, and harvested by hand.  The choice to walk rather than use a disruptive truck or ATV is a conscious one.  Wildcrafting is more than a practice; it’s a way of life. It’s about slowing down, listening to the land, and honoring the wisdom of nature. My products are crafted in small batches, with intention and care, to preserve the vitality and the innate wisdom of the plants I harvest. From soothing salves to nourishing teas, every item is a testament to the power of Nature, and a testament to my personal reverence for the wild places that grew them.

Respecting the wildlife: Bears, birds, squirrels and many other depend on the bounty of elderberries, Oregon grape, juniper berries and other herbs and seeds.  I choose to harvest from areas with an abundance of fruit-bearing plants, and I never take more than one-third of the harvest from any one plant.  There's enough for all when we live by the rule of respect.

Cleaning the harvest: Bugs and spiders love berries.  I mindfully remove and release them as berries are cleaned and de-stemmed.  After de-stemming, berries are triple-washed with a gentle apple cider vinegar solution, and rinsed thoroughly  before dehydration or freezing.

Preparing the syrup: I honor the plants by keeping ingredients simple, honest and pure.  Fresh or frozen berries are boiled, mashed, and strained, leaving concentrated fresh juice.  Organic cane sugar is added to the juice and the solution is boiled to a syrup concentrate.  No added water, other flavors, or fillers: our signature Kootenay Woman Syrups are canned in small batches for maximum strength and freshness.  

Packaging: Reusable jars, compostable bags and wrappers, simple labelling are all reflections of reverence for the world around us.

Pricing: The berries and herbs are freely given to all of us.  Harvest, preservation and preparation take time and love.  These product are priced to provide a living wage for a family, NOT to squeeze profit from natural resources that belong to all beings.  I harvest respectfully, and I price these products respectfully too.  My aim is to bring the healing power of the wild places to our local community at an affordable price.

I invite you to explore this collection and experience the essence of the Kootenay mountains. When you bring these products into your life, you’re not just supporting a small business—you’re becoming part of a story that began in the wild and continues with you. Thank you for joining me on this journey