Camden Garden Club Winter Horticulture Series will hear "An Introduction to the Benefits of Nature Experiences for Human Health and Well-Being" with Michael Blacketer Ph.d, Tuesday, Feb. 18, from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m.

Michael Blacketer, in his role as an educator at Mt. Cuba Center, draws from a diverse background in environmental planning, ecological design, resource interpretation, horticulture, and conservation social science. His education includes a bachelor’s degree in Community and Environmental Planning, a master’s in Ecological Landscape Design, and a doctorate in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management. Also a Delaware Master Gardener, Blacketer’s interests are rooted in the exploration of human-environment transactions across spatial, temporal, biological, and social scales; he enjoys discussing these phenomena with others through mutual interests in organic gardening, restoration ecology, outdoor recreation, and scientific research.

 Blacketer will be speaking about how to look for the Zen within our gardens. 

Winter landscapes offer opportunities to experience structural garden elements and many botanical forms of seasonal interest. Expand your appreciation for aesthetic qualities beyond blooms by exploring the beauty and wonder of seed heads, exfoliating bark, evergreen foliage, and stems with diverse textures, color, and character.

"This will be a unique opportunity to learn to walk through our gardens with a fresh look," said the Garden Club, in a news release. "Mt. Cuba’s gardens in the ‘off-season’ to experience the sights and sounds of our winter landscape."

Mt. Cuba Center, located in Delaware, evaluates native plants and related cultivars for horticultural and ecological value. Their certificate classes in Ecological Gardening are open to everyone, from beginners to experts. Choose to complete all classes to earn a certificate, or take only the classes that interest you. Students seeking certification must pass an evaluation after each class.

Register for this free program here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Lf5yj116RWO-qJoLHRbz7w

The Camden Garden Club Winter Horticulture Series is given in collaboration with the Camden Public Library.

 The Camden Garden Club mission is to develop and preserve our environment by beautifying the community, enhancing public spaces, offering educational programs, and practicing resource conservation.