Jennifer Smith-Simms, Missouri Botanical Garden
April 10, 6:30 pm ET PLEASE NOTE THIS IS EASTERN TIME
The Missouri Botanical Garden is a nonprofit institution, National Historic Landmark, and global leader in plant science and conservation as well as a world-class cultural institution that engages diverse audiences in learning about plants as the foundation of life. The Garden pursues its mission in a number of ways: botanical research and conservation, horticultural displays, educational programs, and public outreach. Welcoming over one million visitors each year, the Missouri Botanical Garden contributes significantly to the cultural vibrancy of the St. Louis region. Within the Education Division, the Therapeutic Horticulture Program team provides nature-based therapeutic outreach programming to populations in healthcare, senior living, and social service communities.
The Garden works with Lifewise STL, a support organization for immigrant populations, St Louis Crisis Nursery Latino Outreach, a non-profit that supports families from Latin American countries with parental support, interpretation, and many other needs. We also recently began working with Ronald McDonald House, which supports families whose children are seriously ill. Many of the families are from the Caribbean, South American, and Central America.
Immigrant populations deal with many challenges in their lives. From being far from home, their culture, and often experiencing trauma. Connecting to plants and nature is a well-known way to decrease stress, increase overall wellbeing, find respite, build community and provide social experiences. Therapeutic Horticulture programs forge connections with nature that provide people with beneficial diversions from their difficulties and promote active engagement in life, socialization, stress reduction, relaxation, and peace.
