Nurture through Nature

Welcome to Nurture through Nature, a blog focused on the benefits of connecting with nature, be they inside or outside. My name is Amy Wagenfeld, an avowed nature lover. I know that I am at my best when I am able to connect with the green world and look forward to sharing my thoughts with you. 

Hello and welcome back to Nurture through Nature. In my previous blog post, I introduced the concept of biophilia, the idea that humans are hard wired to connect with and affiliate with nature. This month I would like to take a few moments to share a fascinating biophilic and profoundly humanitarian story with you. First off, thanks to my dear friend and colleague, landscape architect David Kamp, for alerting me to this beautiful story.

It begins at my childhood home. I grew up in a very busy Midwestern household, the oldest of four children with two transplanted Brooklyn, New York academics for parents.

Having recently written about my first garden and a brief introduction to the concept of place attachment, it seems as if this is the right time to share my thoughts about losing my backyard garden.

“Step through the Prairie-style Fullerton gate and enter a hidden garden of unmatched beauty. Only bird songs and the sound of a gentle waterfall break the restful silence. Follow the stone walk encircling the lily pool and discover a pavilion, council ring, and diverse native plantings. This is the vision of landscape architect Alfred Caldwell: a hidden garden for the people of Chicago…” https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks-facilities/lincoln-park-alfre…

Connections with nature are powerful, bring forth feeling of happiness and joy, and for many are the ‘go to’ place where, simply conjuring up thoughts about them is restorative, calming, and meaningful.

In the second of this three part series about place attachments, we learn about how water and also walking in nature along that most special trail can be profoundly meaningful.

Attention Restoration Theory ‘found me’ and thankfully, there has been no turning back since.

There is much (good) ado about Attention Restoration Theory.

A substantial body of evidence-based research demonstrates that viewing nature reduces stress and improves mood. Learning environments, whether virtual or in-seat can be stress inducing.
 

An important take home message about gardening and garden related activities is that as Charles Lewis suggested in 1985, in a world of constant judgment, plants are non-threatening and non-discriminating.