Mindfully Create a Terrarium: Grow your Practice of Connecting to the Natural World

No previous terrarium or houseplant experience required. You will learn the basics of care and maintenance for your terrarium and its living plants.

Instructor: Richard Bonk, M.Ed., Certification in Mental Health First Aid, Naturalist / Artist / Writer

Research has shown that being outdoors is beneficial for our mental, emotional and physical wellbeing. The presence of plants and greenery indoors has been found to reduce stress levels, improve mood, and increase feelings of relaxation. You can bring those similar positive effects on your overall health by creating, tending and enjoying a terrarium. Explore the Human-Nature Connection, biophilia and your creative process by designing and building micro-habitats inside glass containers, and come away with a deeper understanding of and greater appreciation for the natural world. No previous terrarium or houseplant experience required. You will learn the basics of care and maintenance for your terrarium and its living plants.

In this class you will:

• Encourage and enhance your caring relationship with the natural world, its flora and fauna and their ecosystems.
• Develop mindful observational and creative process skills.
• Explore emergent insights and emotions; to honor awe and welcome calm as it connects to nature and creative process.

In addition you will:

• Learn how terrarium ecosystems work and how they can be similar to larger ecosystems.
• Create your own small personal terrarium and learn how to maintain it after taking it home.
• Identify and utilize appropriate terrarium plants, and experiment with mini-landscaping techniques using organic and natural elements.
  Research has shown that being outdoors is beneficial for our mental, emotional and physical wellbeing. The presence of plants and greenery indoors has been found to reduce stress levels, improve mood and increase feelings of relaxation. You can bring those similar positive effects on your overall health by creating, tending and enjoying a terrarium. Explore biophilia and your creative process by designing and building micro-habitats inside glass containers, and come away with a deeper understanding of and greater appreciation for the natural world. 

Helpful tips: 

• The Arboretum is a public place; solitude from other visitors is not expected nor guaranteed.
• Bring a water bottle and please refrain from eating or chewing gum.

Please note: This  Nature-Based Therapeutics Onsite Programming experience does not serve as a substitute for professional medical advice, examination diagnosis or treatment. Sessions of Nature-Based Therapeutics Onsite Programming Experiences at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum do not engage in the practice of medicine, nor enter into a health-care practitioner/patient relationship. Please discuss your personal health with a qualified health practitioner.