Naturopath Master Herbalist Writer & Educator Green Wisdom's Director & Lead Instructor
Gigi Stafne, MH, ND, MI, has been a practitioner of natural and botanical medicine for 35 years with substantial clinical, health, environmental, social justice and entrepreneurial experience. She pioneered and created the first natural medicine clinic in West Central Wisconsin near Minneapolis, the Center for Healing Arts, bringing on a team of 12 skilled practitioners. She then founded an affiliated botanical medicine school which to date is one of the few in the Upper Midwest and Lake Superior regions of North America that offers a professional Master of Herbalism Program. For one decade, Gigi created a United Plant Savers & Partners in Education project, the first UpS Botanical Sanctuary in Wisconsin, U.S. For her work there, she was awarded the 2007 North American Plant Conservation Award. She also launched a chapter of Herbalists Without Borders, an international non-profit organization in 2006-2008. Gigi was appointed as the Executive Director of Herbalists Without Borders International, and served in that capacity for another decade, growing that non-profit from 7 projects to 73 national and international chapters. In 2017 the American Herbalists Guild awarded Stafne the national "Community Service Award" for her health justice work and volunteerism. This year, autumn 2019, Gigi has been awarded a Minnesota Arts grant as an Instructor in Residence in Grand Marais, MN at North House Folk School teaching three and numerous other regional venues. Gigi continues teaching at numerous national and global venues via Green Wisdom School of Natural and Botanical Medicine and Herbalists Without Borders International including that of being a national-international trauma trainer.
Prior to natural medicine, Gigi worked in the anti-violence field, from crisis intervention to public policy. Her education began in Human Growth & Development and Family Social Science with the University of Wisconsin system. Furthermore, her education eventually lead to CAM degrees at the School of Natural Medicine (SNM), Boulder Colorado which included degrees in: Master of Herbalism, Master of Iridology, Naturopathy & Natural Physician. Her continuing education and teaching is extensive, in women's health, environmental health, cross cultural medicine, ethnobotany, and beyond.
Gigi continues to teach students at all levels of knowledge. From beginners to professionals seeking to expand their knowledge base, she offers each a variety of courses ranging from intensive courses, nature immersion exploration, and major conference keynote addresses to the lighter 'make and take' workshops.
Stafne's 3 decade teaching venues have included:
American Swedish Institute, Minneapolis Amora Wellness & Gifts, Michigan Angelic Organics Learning Center, Illinois Apple Acres Farm, Michigan Back to Basics, Wisconsin Beaver Creek Reserve, Wisconsin Bolton Refuge House Borders Books, United States Caregiver Conferences, WITC, Northwood campuses Center for Sexual and Domestic Abuse Chippewa County Tourism Council Chippewa Valley Nature Festival Clearwater Counseling & Personal Growth Center Cook County Whole Foods Coop Cross River Heritage Center Danish American Center, Minneapolis Down to Earth CSA Downtown Eau Claire, Wisconsin Homesteading Duluth Folk School Entelechy Leadership Stories Epilepsy Center of Wisconsin Family Resource Centers (numerous locales Midwest) Flambeau Falls Massage & Wellness Center Free Radio, International Garden Talks at Fairlawn Globe University, United States Golden Light Retreat Center Gordon Correctional Center Grand Marais School District Green Wisdom School of Natural & Botanical Medicine Healing Journeys--Radio Minneapolis Health and Harmony Network--Radio broadcast international Herbal Action Podcast--international Herbal Highway Podcase, Berkeley, CA Herbalists Without Borders International Hub, The Hunt Hill Audubon Sanctuary Kinni-Women's Health Center KFAI Radio, Minneapolis-St. Paul KPFA Radio, Berkeley, CA L.E. Phillips Public Library Lutheran Social Services, Upper Midwest US Maple Hill Farm, Wisconsin Marshfield Clinic Master Gardener Groups, Midwest States Minneapolis Community Education Programs Minnesota State University-Winona National Coalition Against Domestic Violence National Trauma Training, US North Country Herbalists Guild, Minneapolis North House Folk School, Grand Marais, MN Northern Sustainability Symposium Northern Thunder, Environmental and Social Justice Northwood Technical College System-Wisconsin Oak Leaf Massage Therapy School Planetary Health Film Lab, York University, Toronto & Ecuador The Old Schoolhouse Gardens, metro Chicago Portage Lake District Library Potter's Farm & Retreat Center Pure Water Paddlers River Prarie Apothecary Rowley Creek Lavender Farm Senior Americans Conferences Shirley's Place, Health-Wellness Store Soul Fusion Café, Oneness Talk Radio International Soulstice Wellness Center, Wisconsin St. Louis River Alliance Sugarloaf Cove Nature Center Superior Public Library Sustainability Gathering Take Back the Night Rallies The E C Center, Eau Claire, WI Thursdays at the U, University of WI Barron Campus Two Birches Herbal Education & Wellness Center, metro Chicago Trauma Trainer, Herbalists Without Borders Intl United Plant Savers North America Conference, Minneapolis Unity Center University of Minnesota System University of Wisconsin System Washburn County Tourism Dept Water Divas White Bear Center for the Arts Wild Earth Eco Tours Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic Violence Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault WEAU Television, Eau Claire, WI WPR--Wisconsin Public Radio Wisconsin State Bar Association Wisconsin Technical College System (Now Northwood-above) Witness for Peace Women Against Poverty Conference Women's Environmental Institute Women Reaching Women Programs WOJB Woodland Community Public Radio WTIP Community Public Radio WQOW TV YMCA and many others during past decades
You will also find Gigi as a regular instructor at the following venues this year:
American Swedish Institute, Minneapolis Duluth Folk School, Duluth, MN Golden Light Healing, Green Bay, WI/Lake Michigan region Green Wisdom School of Natural & Botanical Medicine, North America Herbalists Without Borders, National and International North House Folk School, Grand Marais, MN & North Shore Lake Superior Northwood Tech College, NW WI Two Birches Wellness & Herbal Education Center, Chicago, IL region Women's Environmental Institute, Minneapolis-North Branch, MN with new venues added monthly!
Gigi's Past & Present Regular Writing Venues:
Aurora, A Violence Against Women JournalFounder, Editor Herbalists Without Borders International News Founder, Regular Writer Home Herbalist,Contributing Writer Inner Voice Contributing Writer Local-Global ForumStaff Writer Turtle River Press Guest Writer United Plant Savers Journal Guest Writer and numerous other magazines to media projects
Schedule Gigi as a presenter for your organization or event. Begin by contacting our scheduler about programs that spark your interest: gigigreenwisdom@gmail.com
Check out a recent interview with Gigi on WITP Public Radio in Grand Marais, Minnesota along the North Shore of Lake Superior! North House Folk School
GREEN WISDOM REGULAR GUEST INSTRUCTORS & GUIDES
Hover mouse over photos to learn more about each instructor