As part of the ACHS 2026 Commencement celebrations, graduates, family members, friends, staff, and faculty gathered on Thursday, June 11, for one of ACHS’s most anticipated pre-commencement traditions: the annual Botanical Walk.
Held at Portland’s beautiful Leach Botanical Garden, this year’s event was the most popular Botanical Walk to date. With more than 70 registrants, interest exceeded expectations, requiring the tour to be divided into two separate sessions to accommodate participants and ensure an engaging experience for everyone involved.
The Botanical Walk was offered alongside the ACHS Campus Open House and Tour, giving attendees an opportunity to connect with fellow students, faculty, staff, and graduates while experiencing firsthand the plants and herbs that play such an important role in integrative health education.
Exploring Portland’s Leach Botanical Garden
Nestled within a forested landscape in southeast Portland, Leach Botanical Garden is a living museum of plants spanning more than 17 acres. Originally the home of botanists John and Lilla Leach, the garden is known for its diverse collection of native and ornamental plants, woodland trails, pollinator habitats, and educational programming that promotes environmental stewardship and botanical learning.
On a beautiful sunny June day, the garden provided the perfect setting for ACHS students and graduates to deepen their understanding of medicinal and aromatic plants while enjoying the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest.
Learning From ACHS Faculty and Industry Experts
Both tour sessions were led by ACHS Dean of Herbal Medicine, Dr. Judith Thompson, and Dean of Aromatherapy, Amanda Lattin. Their expertise helped bring course concepts to life as participants encountered many of the herbs, trees, and botanicals they had previously studied in online classrooms.
Joining the tours was Chris Alstat, Owner of Eclectic Herb, who shared additional insights into local plant life and herbal traditions. Eclectic Herb has partnered with ACHS on several educational initiatives and events over the years, helping to strengthen connections between academic learning and professional herbal practice.
Amanda shares: “ The annual Botanical Walk is a special way to open the graduation celebration, where students, families, faculty, and staff gather, connect with natural spaces, and engage with botanicals through all their senses. Many students have studied botanicals virtually for aromatherapy, herbalism, or nutrition, and the botanical walk is a time to share an experience and learn together with the plants while building community. My favorite part is sharing the essential oils of the plants we’re interacting with, creating a beautiful, full-spectrum experience.”
As the group moved through the gardens, participants learned about plant identification, traditional herbal uses, sustainable harvesting considerations, and the ecological importance of many of the species growing throughout the landscape.
“Being with the graduates and their families in nature, smelling the aromas, and seeing the plants, created memories that will last a lifetime,” says Judith. “It’s a unique experience that brings all the book knowledge to life.”
Bringing Plants to Life Through Aromatic Experience
One of the highlights of the Botanical Walk was the opportunity for participants to engage multiple senses while learning. Amanda and Judith shared essential oil samples derived from several of the plants being viewed during the tour, allowing guests to experience their aromas firsthand.
These aromatic demonstrations sparked meaningful discussions about the effects of various essential oils, how individuals may perceive scents differently, and the role aroma can play in supporting wellness. For many attendees, the experience provided a memorable connection between the theoretical knowledge gained through coursework and the practical application of botanical and aromatic sciences.
The combination of visual observation, hands-on learning, and aromatic exploration created a uniquely immersive educational experience that exemplifies the ACHS approach to integrative health education.
Celebrating the ACHS Community
Beyond the educational value, the Botanical Walk served as a meaningful opportunity for students, graduates, families, and friends to connect and celebrate their achievements together. Many attendees remarked on how rewarding it was to see, touch, smell, and learn about plants they studied in their programs.
Events like the Botanical Walk reflect ACHS’s commitment to experiential learning and fostering a vibrant community of lifelong learners passionate about herbal medicine, aromatherapy, sustainability, and holistic health.
Inspired by the plants, people, and possibilities showcased during the 2026 Botanical Walk? Discover how ACHS can help you turn your passion for herbal medicine, aromatherapy, and integrative health into meaningful education and career opportunities.
- Learn more about ACHS’s Herbal Medicine Programs
- Learn more about ACHS’s Aromatherapy Programs
- Speak with an Advisor
