About Frank Norman
Plant Ecologist, Herbal Educator, Herbalist
The Start of My Journey...
Frank Norman first became interested in medicinal and edible plants 40 years ago. After a number of years traveling and studying botany and herbalism across the United States, Frank settled in rural Kansas in 1977. He fell in love with its wide open vistas and rolling terrain, diverse flora, subtle beauty of the prairie, and the friendliness of the people.
Scientific Career
With his developing passion for plants, Frank earned undergraduate and masters degrees, studying botany and physiological plant ecology at the University of Kansas. After graduating, he established a career as a plant ecologist and botanist, spanning 28 years working all over the United States for engineering and restoration firms and now for himself at Norman Ecological Consulting, LLC. His expertise is in restoration, rare plant surveys, wetland assessments, and botanical inventories.
Herbal Studies
Along with his career as a plant ecologist, Frank continued his studies in herbalism, broadening his knowledge of the Midwestern flora and their medicinal and edible properties. He also studied at the School of Natural Healing, Springville, Utah, where he earned a Master Herbalist degree in 2002. Since then, he has lead medicinal plant walks, offered herbal consultations, and taught classes on various herbal topics.
Zen Buddhism
Intertwined in his life as a plant ecologist and herbalist has been his spiritual path. As a practicing Zen Buddhist, he learned the value of quieting the mind, deep self-examination, chanting and bowing, and silent retreats. During his years as a Buddhist practitioner, he yearned for a deeper connection to plants and ultimately found it through the path of Deep Ecology.
Intertwined in his life as a plant ecologist and herbalist has been his spiritual path. As a practicing Zen Buddhist, he learned the value of quieting the mind, deep self-examination, chanting and bowing, and silent retreats. During his years as a Buddhist practitioner, he yearned for a deeper connection to plants and ultimately found it through the path of Deep Ecology.
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A Dive Into Deep Ecology In the past decade, Frank has participated in vision quests, sweat lodges, and other ceremonies to foster a deeper connection with the Earth. He has completed an Earth Medicine Apprenticeship and a number of Deep Ecology/Sacred Plant Medicine workshops sponsored by the Foundation for Gaian Studies, Silver City, New Mexico, to deepen his herbal and spiritual practice. He also works with the Sacred Pipe for the same reason. His deepest desire is to teach others about herbalism and the sacredness of our human connection with the Earth. |