Graduates, students, family, and friends gathered on Thursday, June 12, 2025, for a beloved ACHS tradition—the Annual Botanical Walk. Held the day before the ACHS Commencement Ceremony, this year’s walk took place at the iconic Mt. Tabor Park in Portland, Oregon, offering a vibrant and inspiring setting for hands-on herbal learning and connection with nature.
Guided by two of ACHS’s leading experts, Amanda Lattin, Dean of Aromatherapy, and Dr. Judith Thompson, Dean of Herbal Medicine, attendees explored the botanical richness of the Pacific Northwest while deepening their understanding of plant medicine and aromatherapy.
A Tradition Rooted in Community
Now in its third year, the ACHS Annual Botanical Walk has become a cherished part of commencement week, drawing graduates, current students, and their guests into the heart of nature. The walk offers more than just fresh air and beautiful views—it provides an opportunity to directly interact with native plants, observe their characteristics, and discuss their traditional and contemporary applications in herbalism and aromatherapy. It’s also a wonderful opportunity for the ACHS community to come together, connect, and meet fellow classmates in person.
Dr. Thompson shares, “Spending time in nature, sensing how we feel being in the shade of certain trees, and seeing the plants in their natural habitats reminds us of why we studied plants in the first place. It’s a connection to something greater than ourselves.”
Discovering the Plant Allies of Mt. Tabor
Nestled atop an extinct volcanic cinder cone, Mt. Tabor Park is a unique botanical haven with a mix of native and ornamental plants, towering Douglas firs, and beautiful views of the city of Portland. As the group wound through forested trails, they encountered many notable botanicals.
Dean Lattin and Dean Thompson introduced the aromatic properties of various trees along the way, encouraging participants to engage their senses, touching leaves, smelling bark, and even comparing natural aromas to essential oil counterparts.
“It is so important to explore living botanicals with a full sensory experience in addition to learning about their chemistry, therapeutic properties, and research,” says Dean Lattin. “Botanical medicine is fundamentally about our healing relationship with plants.”
The walk brought textbook learning to life. Participants took time to pause, observe the environment, and ask questions. It was a grounding and memorable experience before the excitement of commencement the next day.
ACHS Programs
The ACHS Botanical Walk is more than a pre-graduation event—it’s a celebration of holistic education, experiential learning, and the healing power of plants. As this tradition continues to grow, ACHS remains committed to offering opportunities that blend science, spirit, and sustainability in immersive, meaningful ways.
- Learn more about ACHS’s Herbal Medicine Programs
- Learn more about ACHS’s Aromatherapy Programs
- Learn more about ACHS’s Doctor of Science in Integrative Health with Herbal Medicine Specialization
- Speak with an advisor
