Lynn Shore joined the Trustee Board in January 2025. Originally from Bristol, she grew up in a farmhouse on the edge of the city, where she foraged in hedgerows and spent hours studying rabbits and snails. This early connection with nature sparked a lifelong passion for the natural world, which she expresses through her work as a complementary therapist, educator, writer, and advocate for urban green spaces. She now lives in Amsterdam with her family.

After earning a degree in genetics and briefly working in genome research, Lynn became a biology teacher, combining her scientific background with a growing interest in natural therapies. Over the years, she pursued extensive training in herbal medicine, earning her first diploma 25 years ago. Seeking a deeper understanding of local herbs and their uses, she studied Wise Woman Herbalism with Susun Weed and Glennie Kindred, Permaculture with Patrick Whitefield and Permaculture Visions, and Social and Therapeutic Horticulture with Thrive. Lynn now holds Dutch qualifications in herbal medicine, stress management, and depression coaching, and she is completing the Heartwood Professional Medical Herbalist course.

In Amsterdam, Lynn runs two initiatives: Mugwort and Marigold, a complementary therapy practice, and Urban Herbology, an educational enterprise that reconnects people with urban nature through foraging walks, crafting workshops, and an online course. She is also the custodian of a community herb garden, where residents and visitors grow roots (both figuratively and literally) and unwind while tending local herbs.

Much of Lynn’s work centers on supporting mental health through connections with urban nature. She advocates for edible landscapes and the use of local herbs, sharing her expertise through talks, workshops, and magazine articles. Her first book, exploring nature-based spirituality in cities, will be published later this year. In April, she will participate in the Wildbiome 2 research project, living entirely on locally foraged food for a month, to measure its impact on health.

A dedicated member of the Herb Society for several years, Lynn values its commitment to making herbal knowledge accessible to all. She is also active in professional organizations, including the Association of Foragers, Herbalists Without Borders, the Dutch Phytotherapy Association, and the Complementary Medical Association.

Passionate about the power of local herbs, Lynn strives to foster social cohesion, enhance urban environments, and support individual well-being. As a trustee, she aims to bring her expertise in urban herbology, education, and community engagement to the Herb Society, inspiring others to connect with the natural world and promote the sustainable use of herbs.