The Power of Plants

"Like their precursors thousands of years ago, healing gardens are therapeutic sanctuaries that heal the body and mind and comfort the soul." 

~ Doreen G. Howard

There are numerous articles and case studies that report on the benefits of nature. Recently, I have been interested in indoor and outdoor therapeutic gardens. The power of plants is greatly underestimated in our daily lives. 

During my undergraduate years I was never more connected to my campus than when I aided in the design and maintenance of a native prairie garden. Previously I had been involved in variety of student led organizations and events- I even held an office in a few of them- but it was not until I helped establish this garden that my life and work on campus really felt meaningful. I had organized dinners, movie nights, potlucks and workshops, provided information to hundreds of students, but none of those activities made me feel complete. With my garden I was contributing: to nature, to myself, to the campus and well-being of all other students.

Until now, I never considered that spot to be therapeutic. I miss it greatly and pay it a visit whenever I return home.

Today, I have three tiny house plants residing in my apartment: a spider plant (personally, not too fond of the name), Christmas cactus (grown from a plant passed down from my great grandmother) and, some thyme. 

Growing up, my mother always had a spider plant and Christmas cactus growing near a window or hanging from the ceiling. I can still remember her saying, "Don't touch the Christmas cactus!" This warning, of course, made the plant a far greater temptation than it should have been! I never understood my mothers protection of this plant. It did not really do much (apart from drop its leaves and get me in trouble for allegedly messing with it). I always assumed it was sharp- being called a cactus after all- so naturally I was curious.

Every winter, small pink flowers would blossom along its long green arms; I can remember how happy this made my mother. 

When I was preparing to move into my first apartment, here in Athens, I was given a piece of the Christmas cactus and spider plant to grow in my own house. Looking at my "new" plants made me feel overwhelmed with emotions- I was happy to continue the lives of these little house plants. I knew how much they meant to my mom and have slowly realized how they played such a big role in my childhood. When I posted this photo (below) on Facebook, my eldest sister (currently living in Texas) commented: "This picture makes me weirdly homesick." 

(Far left) freshly planted thyme seeds, (middle) Christmas cactus, (far right) spider plant- complete with water worms! Accompanied by veggies from our garden!

Many hospitals and recovery areas are beginning to see the therapeutic power of plants. The Therapeutic Landscape Network has been working to keep track of many therapeutic gardens in the United States. Their mission reads:

The Therapeutic Landscapes Network is a knowledge base and gathering space about healing gardens, restorative landscapes, and other green spaces that promote health and well-being. We are an international, multidisciplinary community of designers, health and human service providers, scholars, and gardeners. Though our focus is broad, our primary emphasis is on evidence-based design in health care settings.(Mission Statement)

Whether in a prison, community or hospital, gardens have a great deal to contribute to our well-being and sustainability.These are restorative areas for humans and wildlife. As a student I realize how busy my life has become- I am constantly working towards a distant goal: midterm, next paper deadline, presentation...graduation! If you are feeling overwhelmed or stressed try to incorporate more green into your daily life- not just one day! Get a house plant, visit a garden once a week- volunteer somewhere local- Ecohouse, Community Food Initiatives, West State Street Gardens- find a walking path with more trees and flowers, meet up with friends at a park bench instead of a Starbucks!
 I urge you all to explore your surroundings: green spaces on campus, bike trails, gardens and one of the many beautiful forested areas nearby. If we do not protect and preserve these areas now we will lose them to development, invasive species, or far worse- fracking!

Get informed, get involved, and get outside!

See these links for more information:

Gardens for Recovery
Therapeutic Landscape Network

The Great Outdoors

Last Friday I spent my entire morning discussing the results of the election and what implications they could have for our environment. Politics at 9 am are seldom a  good idea- especially on a Friday! At 1:30 I left my second class and went to work at the Office of Sustainability. It was a beautiful Friday afternoon, but I just didn't take the time to notice for myself. The director arrived and it was decided that I needed to take mandatory outside time. "It's far too nice outside, Markie! You need to leave this office and enjoy this gorgeous weather while you can!"

Wait...what?

I have never had my boss tell me to leave the office and go outside! Although it was a bizarre concept at first, I very quickly warmed up to the idea. I am an Environmental Studies major, but that does not mean that I love spending my free time outside. In fact, my connection to nature is not as spiritual as that of my classmates. I understand the importance of the environment, biodiversity and sustainability. Through this understanding, I am able to have a profound respect for nature- as opposed to a deep spiritual relationship. That is something that may develop overtime- but it cannot be forced. That being said, it goes without saying that I do not spend much time outside. With a five classes and a part-time job who has time to be separated from their computer?! I'd like to meet this person and learn their secrets! 

I keep a blanket in my car- for just such an emergency! I returned home to pick up some books and drop off my absurdly heavy book bag. Returned to campus- blanket at the ready- and sat by the fountain in Emeriti Park. I later learned that this specific area was meant to be a place of remembrance, where students could reflect on the people that played a major role in their academic career (http://www.ohio.edu/athens/bldgs/emeritipk.html). 

My view from the blanket at Emeriti Park! What a gorgeous day!
Photo by: Markie Miller

I am somewhat disturbed at how strange it felt for me to work outside. Yes, I respect and understand nature, but maybe that isn't enough. I also observed that not many students were enjoying this day with me. It is very difficult to not be wrapped up in the strenuous university lifestyle. We become so goal oriented (finish the paper, read the book, pass the final, graduate!) that we forget to stop and be in the present. 

There is nothing wrong with keeping an eye on the future, but it is easy to get caught up in that momentum of upcoming deadlines- be careful or life will hit you fast! 

I urge my fellow Ohio University students to evaluate their own lives! Do you spend time outdoors? Doing what- smoking, reading, biking, just passing through to class (and no, driving with the windows down does not count!)? What is your understanding of ecosystems and natural processes? Do you need to be told to spend time outside?

And perhaps most importantly, do you have a sense of place at Ohio University? Sense of place creates a meaningful connection to your environment. It allows you to participate and contribute. Take pride and ownership in your campus: start a garden, pick up trash when you see it and love this environment! 

Now... go spend some time outside! 

The Ridges hiking trails
Download the map here! 
Ride your bike! 

Athens Farmers Market

This year-2012- is the 40th anniversary of the Athens Farmers Market! If you have not yet been able to shop at the market I urge you all to go and browse the wonderful local, fresh and high quality products available to you! 

The market is located at 1000 East State St. (in the parking lot). It is open 10-1 on Saturdays (year round) and Wednesdays (April-December). Click here for more information on the farmers market! Although I have not yet experienced winter in Athens, I assume that the market moves indoors during the cold winter months. 

I wanted to get to know some of the vendors a bit better- I will be posting interviews with them about their products, businesses and thoughts on sustainability here, but don't just take my word for it- get out to the Market on State!  

Meet Charlene Burnett! Owner of Pie in the Sky Baked Goods! 

Charlene sells homemade baked goods, cakes, pies, cookies and sweet bread to name a few! She sells strictly at the farmers market- so be sure to visit the market to sample her delicious homemade breads! She has been selling for three years at the farmers market. 

Charlene Burnett sells baked goods at the farmers market!
photo by: Markie Miller 

Charlene's products could not be more local! She travels less than 10 miles to get to the farmers market. Her business started when she came to the Athens area and needed a job. She loved to bake, looked up the rules and regulations and "it all fell together". She is a great of example of sustainable entrepreneurship! 

I asked her what she wanted the people of Athens to know about her product. She simply said, "if you miss grandmas baking- come see me!" She said with a smile and much honesty. I loved her response- as a student who is away from home I can understand the comfort that can come from homemade baked goods. 

Farmers markets are a great way to "act local" (recall the motto think global, act local). I asked Charlene to to reflect on this statement. She responded: "the best impact you can make is to act locally. Maybe you can't save the world, but you can do what you can where you're at!" That is exactly what she is doing! 

What about sustainability? To Charlene, sustainability means "leaving as small a footprint as possible". This was a nice take on sustainability from a business standpoint. Her answer had nothing to do with obtaining the largest yield or making the biggest profit. She simply aims to be low key in her endeavor! 

Finally, I asked Charlene what kind of future she saw for farmers markets. She thought it looked promising. Farmers markets deliver good quality products right at home with less driving. It is nice to see so many people supporting the farmers market every week, but it needs your business! 

Visit the farmers market! Buy local! Give a face and a name to the products you buy and know your money is going directly to the source. Starting November 10 there will be a shuttle for students to and from the farmers market. More information can be found here! The bus will meet at the top of Baker Center and go to and from the market beginning at 10:30 am! 

I hope to see you there!