Reciprocity

Giving back to the land and its people

Everything we teach follows the thread of life, and that thread runs through relationship. To take from a place, or from a tradition, without giving back would break the very connection we're here to honor. Reciprocity is how we keep that thread whole.

Whose land we walk on

Honoring the first stewards

The forests, rivers and shorelines where we guide have been cared for by Indigenous peoples since time immemorial, and they still are today. We acknowledge them with gratitude, and we try to back that acknowledgement with action.

  • Olympia & the South Soundthe Squaxin Island Tribe, including the Steh-Chass people of Budd Inlet, and the Nisqually Indian Tribe
  • The Olympic Peninsulathe Quinault, Hoh, Quileute, Makah, S'Klallam and Skokomish peoples, among others
  • Portland & the Columbia Gorgethe Multnomah, Clackamas and other bands of Chinook, the Tualatin Kalapuya, Molalla and many other peoples of the Columbia and Willamette rivers
  • Bellingham & the North Soundthe Lummi Nation and the Nooksack Indian Tribe
  • Mexico & Costa Ricathe Indigenous communities and medicine keepers whose knowledge of plants and fungi has been carried for generations, including the Mazatec people of Oaxaca
Our commitments

How we give back

A share of every journey

We dedicate a portion of our proceeds to underserved communities and to organizations working to address systemic inequities, with particular attention to Indigenous-led work on the lands where we guide.

A sliding scale for all

No one should be kept from the forest by cost. We offer sliding-scale pricing and look at every request case by case, quietly and without judgment. If cost is a barrier, tell us when you reach out.

Right relationship

We approach medicine traditions as students and guests, not owners. We credit the cultures that carry them, follow local tribal and land-use guidance, harvest lightly and leave every place better than we found it.

Join us

Everyone belongs in the forest.

Ask about sliding-scale pricing, or tell us about an organization doing good work we should know about.

Get in touch

Or email colin@colindisheroon.com