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A half-day retreat to explore the connections between health and time in nature.Explore how your life can be fuller and more balanced through this one-day retreat in the heart of the beautiful Cornell Botanic Gardens. Learn about the science linking nature, well-being, and overall happiness. Through hands-on experiences, including mindful meditation, healthy eating and immersive forest bathing, gain insights into ways we can all forge healthier lives. Refreshments and catered vegetarian lunch are included. Please note: portions of this program take place outdoors and will include walking on mostly level paths with some steps. Program will be held rain or shine.
Fee: $25 General admission; $20 Botanic Gardens Members and Cornell students. Pre-registration is required as space is limited.
Instructors: Dr. Donald A. Rakow, Professor of Horticulture (retired), and Michele Belot, Professor of Economics, Cornell University.
Location: Nevin Welcome Center
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Speaker Bios:
Michele Belot is Professor at the ILR School and the Department of Economics at Cornell. Her research focuses on designing and evaluating interventions supporting behavioral change. She is interested in understanding the barriers people face in implementing changes in their lifestyle. She has conducted randomized controlled trials evaluating interventions aimed at encouraging healthy eating, reducing stress and improving well-being. Her work uses insights from multiple disciplines, including behavioral science, psychology and biology.
Dr. Donald A. Rakow is a retired professor of Horticulture, Section of Horticulture, in the School of Integrative Plant Science, Cornell University, and former co-director of the Cornell Graduate Program in Public Garden Leadership. He is the co-author with Sharon Lee of the first-ever text in the field of public horticulture, ‘Public Garden Management’ (Wiley & Sons, 2011), and together with Ms. Lee and Prof. Meghan Gough a book on social outreach by public gardens, ‘Public Gardens and Livable Cites’ (Cornell University Press, 2021).
Dr. Rakow first became interested in public gardens while serving as a Cornell Cooperative Extension agent in Broome County, NY. There, he worked with the newly organized Master Gardeners to plan and plant what became Cutler Botanic Gardens adjacent to the Extension Center. From 1996 – 2013, Dr. Rakow served as the Elizabeth Newman Wilds Executive Director of Cornell Plantations (now Cornell Botanic Gardens), the 4,300 acre public garden of Cornell University. For the past 20 years, he taught ‘Public Garden Management,’ focused on all aspects of the design, establishment, management and further development of botanical gardens, arboreta, and conservatories.
Dr. Rakow is the former coordinator of the Nature Rx@Cornell program, whose goals are to “reduce stress and thereby increase physical and mental health in students through their engagement with nature, and to cultivate in students an increased appreciation of nature.” Dr. Rakow is the co-author of the text, ‘Nature Rx: Improving College-Student Mental Health Cites’ (Cornell University Press, 2019), co-directs the nationwide Campus Nature Rx Network of over 60 campuses, and conducts research projects examining the benefits of time in nature for various groups. He is also a certified guide with the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy.
Dr. Rakow continues to be active in the American Public Gardens Association, for which he has chaired numerous committees. The Association has recognized his contributions to this field with its Service Award (2009) and Award of Merit (2015).
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
124 Comstock Knoll Drive,Ithaca,14850,US, United States
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