The Power of Plants: Introduction to Therapeutic Horticulture

We’ve all felt the peace and calm that comes from spending time in nature and tending to plants, but did you know there is a professional practice that uses plant-based and nature activities to benefit peoples’ mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing?

Therapeutic horticulture is a newer type of therapy, yet it is rooted in centuries of humans’ innate connection to the natural world. This practice has gained popularity in dozens of settings, including assisted living, hospitals, schools and botanic gardens!

Join Gina Walter, Pittsburgh Botanic Garden educator, to learn about the history, practice, and value of therapeutic horticulture. Participants will gain tools to use therapeutic horticulture in their own everyday lives and engage in a hands-on demonstration. This lecture will give a first look into how Pittsburgh Botanic Garden plans to support the community through inclusive and impactful therapeutic horticulture programs.

This program is FREE for Pittsburgh Botanic Garden members.

Not a member? Click here to join today!

About the Instructor

Gina Walter is Pittsburgh Botanic Garden’s Education Coordinator, planning and leading environmental education programs. Gina has a degree in landscape architecture from Penn State University and a certificate in horticultural therapy from the Horticultural Therapy Institute. She looks forward to incorporating regular therapeutic horticulture programming at the Garden to share the benefits of working with plants and spending time in nature.