The Beauty of United Plant Savers

Before I get into what exactly is United Plant savers, why they are so important and why as a hair salon + apothecary we have supported them over the years and continue to do so, I would like to briefly reintroduce the reason why I opened up Flipp salon apothecary in the first place.

I have been a stylist for 3 decades, with a break in between during the years I lived in Italy (where I practiced freelance here and there). I’ve been a practicing herbalist for two decades as of 2025. 

I have always had a passion for beauty in all of its forms. I've always had a passion for helping folks feel better. I have also always had a passion for the beauty of this planet, and in particular, the plants. I am enamoured with them, actually. From scientific breakdown to folkloristic tale and myth. From their medicine to their poison and everything in between. 

If you are a Herb Nerd like myself, you have probably heard the name Rosemary Gladstar. She is nicknamed “The Fairy Godmother’ of modern day herbalism here in the United States. She has a very impressive story, and has been a foundational participant in the conservation of at risk native medicinal plants here in the United States. You read that correctly…just as there are at risk animal species, there are also at risk native plants that are key to the formulas and remedies that have been used for centuries by the Native people of this nation, as well as what modern day herbalists use in their practices to help support the folks they work with.

In 1994, Rosemary Gladstar along with a few other horticulturalists founded the non-profit organization, United Plant Savers, in response to the alarming rate of habitat loss due to over harvesting of these native medicinals due to the rising awareness and “popularity” of herbal medicine and herbal therapies, and the growing number of companies producing these remedies, tea companies, and supplements that were mainly wildcrafting these herbs in their native habitats. As you can imagine, this is HIGHLY problematic, not only for the danger in losing these plants forever, but the entire ecosystems that depend on them. All plants provide food and shelter for all sorts of life as well as protection from erosion in some areas. They provide medicine and support to us humans, whether it be their chemical constituents, their fragrance, their beauty, and of course their role and effect on climate.

In 1998, 70 acres in Rutland, Ohio were donated by landowner Paul Strauss to create a botanical sanctuary. Through other donations by Michael and Judy Funk, this sanctuary grew to 370 acres. 

The expansion and evolution of this project created what is called the Sanctuary Network, which encouraged private land stewardship by establishing a nationwide Botanical Sanctuary Network.

Sacred Seeds Integration was eventually formed, which absorbed the Sacred Seeds global network in 2015 to safeguard regional and culturally vital plant varieties.

United Plant savers is also a hub for Research and Education, as they have developed an extensive on-site and digital herbal research library, seed bank, and ongoing woodland botanical cultivation programs.  

Why is this all so important to us as a salon-apothecary/small business? The core of our mission is to create beauty, make people feel better, and do it in a responsible and respectful way to our planet and to each other. We use botanically made products in all of our services. We seek out indie brands that use safer, cleaner ingredients. One of the brands we use actually has a biodynamic farm where they cultivate their ingredients. We have been farming and using those ingredients in our own line, Botanic providence. It is fundamental for us to have and support an organization like United Plant Savers to provide us with data and information. Studies and real life happenings and news on the status of our plant allies, as we are also seed savers, and small growers. We are proud supporters, and we encourage all you plant lovers out there to check them out! They are doing really great work!

In our next few posts we will honor other amazing organizations we love and support. The Humsum project, Herbalists Without Borders, Dorcas International, The RI Food Bank, and The Dresscode Project.

Warmly,

Jo-Anna