One of the key lessons originating from the process of developing the practice is the need for effective education on plant identification at all levels of the value chain. Many of the growers and collectors of medicinal herbs have extensive knowledge of the plants they are harvesting and need no assistance with accurate plant identification. Others would benefit from short workshops in basic methods for plant identification using reference guides containing binomial keys. Experiences from the wild crafting industry demonstrate that although a person lives surrounded by forest, it does not mean they can identify (or even recognize) many of the plants found there. Education in plant identification techniques, as well as in learning to recognize when they CANNOT accurately identify a plant, would provide significant benefits, especially for new collectors.

To assist with the widespread application of the identification practice described in this document, workshops on plant identification could be combined with the ‘how to’ of using the practice. Participants could be walked through the process, with examples of completing forms, examples of specific species and what to look for, creating voucher specimens and retention samples, etc. Local resources to assist with plant identification (both books and experts) would also be discussed. Workshops for manufacturers, processors, brokers, etc. could also be provided to encourage broader adoption of the program on behalf of raw material suppliers. As a voluntary program, it will be its acceptance and use within the industry that leads to wider acceptability and effectiveness.

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