About the McKenna Academy of Natural Philosoph
The McKenna Academy of Natural Philosophy is an educational nonprofit dedicated to cultivating harmony with nature through ethnobiological exploration, learning, and respectful engagement with indigenous wisdom. We create spaces where science, tradition, and direct experience meet—so people can learn from plants and ecosystems, and translate that learning into positive change for their lives and for the planet.
Our Vision
To be a catalyst in creating an awakened world where all species thrive in symbiotic harmony.
Our Mission
We design and host transformative symposia, courses, and retreats that deepen understanding of nature, consciousness, and culture. Through field-based study, conservation projects, and dialogue across disciplines, we support a shift from competition to symbiosis—within ourselves, our communities, and the biosphere.
What We Do
We convene global voices and local knowledge keepers to explore ethnopharmacology, ecology, and spirituality in ways that are rigorous, humane, and actionable.
Our programs include:
- Ethnopharmacologic Search for Psychoactive Drugs (ESPD) – landmark symposium exploring the ethnopharmacology of psychoactive plants and compounds.
- Courses and Learning Pathways – interdisciplinary programs in ethnobiology, psychedelic science, mycology, ecology, and consciousness studies that integrate scientific discovery with Indigenous wisdom. As an evolving educational hub, the McKenna Academy fosters dialogue between ancestral ways of knowing and contemporary research—cultivating learning that reconnects people, plants, and the living systems we share.
- Mystery School Retreats – immersive contemplative experiences bridging science and spirituality.
- Biognosis Initiative – a conservation and knowledge-preservation project reviving a major herbarium in Iquitos, Peru (150,000+ specimens).
Signature Programs
ESPD: Ethnopharmacologic Search for Psychoactive Drugs
Building on a historic lineage, ESPD brings researchers, practitioners, and cultural leaders together to advance knowledge of psychoactive plants and compounds. Recent gatherings include ESPD50 (2017) at Tyringham Hall and ESPD55 (2022) at St. Giles House UK.
Wisdom of the Leaf: Coca Summit
In collaboration with Wade Davis, the Wisdom of the Leaf Coca Summit convened in the Sacred Valley of Peru (2025) to explore the cultural, botanical, and ethical dimensions of Erythroxylum coca.
Biognosis
Our conservation and knowledge-preservation effort focused on revitalizing a major Amazonian herbarium in Iquitos, safeguarding 150,000 specimens and the stories they carry.
Courses, Seminars, and Retreats
From our Ethnobotany Courses—interdisciplinary dialogues on plants, consciousness, visionary art, and indigenous spirituality—to focused seminars and our Mystery School retreats, we offer learning pathways that bridge scholarship and direct experience.
Our Approach and Values
We honor indigenous lifeways and perspectives, and we believe in learning with, not just about, traditional knowledge systems. We value interdisciplinary rigor, ethical inquiry, and accessible learning. Above all, we are guided by a simple understanding: the health of people and the health of ecosystems are inseparable.
“The entire biospheric community of species is conscious, and seeks to advance the evolution of consciousness through collaboration and symbiosis.”
— Dennis McKenna, Ph.D., President and Principal Founder
Community
Our community includes an active board, dedicated team, and a circle of advisors who bring experience from ethnobotany, anthropology, conservation, medicine, and the arts. Together, we cultivate programs, media, and partnerships that invite broad participation and long-term impact.
Media and Learning Resources
Beyond live programs, we share knowledge through podcasts, videos, books, and a growing blog—featuring topics that range from ethical technology inspired by nature to the complex cultural narratives around sacred plants.
Get Involved
Attend a program, explore our media, or support our conservation and education work. By participating, you help seed a cultural shift toward reciprocity and symbiosis—one learner, one community, and one ecosystem at a time.
To learn more about our community and offerings, visit the Programs and Community sections of our site or get in touch through our Contact page.
