MEETING LOCATION:
- We will be meeting IN PERSON at Bonar Parkdale Presbyterian Church, 250 Dunn Ave, just South of Queen Street West. Arrive after 6:30 PM for refreshments and socializing, the meeting starts at 7:30PM.
- We will also be holding the meeting ONLINE through Zoom. Members will be sent the link in the newsletter in the week leading up to the meeting.
- Non-Hort members are welcome to attend in-person for a suggested donation of $5 or Pay-What-You-Can. To join the meeting online, please contact info@parkdaletorontohort.com.
TALK & SPEAKER:
In this presentation, we will delve into the transformative world of healing gardens and horticultural therapy, exploring their impact on human health and well-being. Healing gardens, carefully crafted outdoor sanctuaries, harness the power of nature to alleviate stress, enhance recovery, and promote overall physical and mental health. Complementing this, horticultural therapy involves engaging individuals in purposeful plant-related activities, fostering improved motor skills, cognitive function, and emotional well-being. As we navigate through the therapeutic benefits of these practices, we will examine real-world examples, from hospital gardens to community initiatives, illustrating their diverse applications.
Join us as we explore the science, design principles, and societal implications behind these nature-based interventions to gain a deeper understanding of their potential to nurture health and happiness.
Guinevere Kern is a dynamic Horticultural Therapy Practitioner, Educator, and Speaker dedicated to fostering physical and emotional well-being. In her role at Homewood Health Center, a leading addictions and mental health treatment facility, she is privileged to support patients as a Horticultural Therapy Practitioner. Additionally, Guinevere serves as a Horticulture Technical Instructor with Landscape Ontario’s GROW program and actively advocates for the advancement of Horticultural Therapy as a powerful therapeutic method.
With a rich background, Guinevere completed a rigorous 1000-hour Horticultural Therapy Internship, specializing in therapeutic gardening and community development. She founded a successful Horticultural Therapy Program in a long-term care facility and was Lead Nature Therapist for individuals recovering from Motorized Vehicle Accidents. Her diverse horticulture experience spans the University of Guelph, where she contributed to native wildflower and ornamental plant research, as well as work in Canada and the United States in nursery, landscape, greenhouse, and organic agriculture.
Guinevere is an engaged member of the Canadian Horticultural Therapy Association (CHTA) and American Horticultural Therapy Association (AHTA), and actively participates on the CHTA Education Committee. Her transdisciplinary approach to health and wellness underscores the importance of cultivating the interconnected relationship between plants, the environment, ourselves, and each other. Guinevere stands as a passionate advocate and practitioner, inspiring curiosity, nourishment, and hope through the transformative power of horticulture.
Learn more about Guinevere and the practice of Horticultural Therapy in the latest episode of The Landscape Ontario Podcast: "From Soil to Soul: the art and science of horticultural therapy careers with Guinevere Kern".
