Earthwise Society is offering a day-long Discovery Tour next week to provide a unique opportunity for people to participate in, and learn about, programs that work with nature to promote health and well-being.
For the past three years, Earthwise has offered therapeutic horticulture programs that purposefully connect individuals with their environment through a range of garden and farm-based activities.
The programs have reached out to caregivers from families impacted by mental health or substance use to improve health and reduce isolation through shared activities in a community garden setting.
Working in teams or in small groups, participants have reported gaining a profound sense of peace, satisfaction and well-being through their regular interactions with the natural world.
Now Earthwise is building on these successes and exploring opportunities to expand the reach of these programs.
The Discovery Tour will take place on Thursday July 27 at the Earthwise Agassiz location, and includes bus transportation to the site from the Earthwise Garden in Tsawwassen.
Join experts to explore streamside habitat, smallscale organic farming and the newly planted ecological demonstration garden on the 58-acre site. Then enjoy a farm-to-table lunch prepared by visiting chef Derek Bothwell using freshly harvested organic fruit and vegetables from the farm.
In the afternoon, participants can choose from a variety of hands-on outdoor workshops, such as Food Foraging, Bird Speak and Herbal Tea.
The Discovery Tour will integrate ideas from the field of therapeutic horticulture into the day's events to encourage people to view the site, and nature, in new ways.
The day's activities will wind up with a facilitated discussion about how to integrate the benefits brought through contact with the natural world into programs and activities.
To sign-up for the Discovery Tour, visit http://bit.ly/hortitour.
