UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Gardens offer therapeutic benefits for children and adults, experts say, especially those who are physically challenged, suffering from chronic diseases and mental or emotional illnesses.

Aside from being places to enjoy sunshine, fresh air and physical activity, gardens are places to escape stress, to meditate and to heal.

"How to Create Healing Environments through Horticulture" is the topic of an upcoming seminar sponsored by Penn State Cooperative Extension from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 4 at the Adams County Agricultural and Natural Resources Center in Gettysburg.

Mona Gold of Friends Hospital in Philadelphia will be the keynote speaker. Horticulture has been an important part of the hospital�s treatment plan since 1879, when the facility established the first greenhouse for use with individuals with mental illnesses.

Presentations throughout the day will focus on creating healing gardens in indoor and outdoor spaces and other topics related to horticulture. Ermyn King, coordinator for the Penn State Arts and Health Outreach Initiative, will discuss her newly launched pilot program. The focus of the initiative is the interrelationships between the arts and health, including not only personal health and healing but holistic community life and well-being.

Exhibits, displays (including adaptive gardening tools for people who are physically challenged), demonstrations and a book sale also are scheduled. Continuing education credits will be available. The program cost is $30, which covers breakfast, lunch and materials.

For registration forms and additional information, call extension agents Ginger Pryor at (717) 270-4391 or Annette McCoy at (717) 240-6500.

The seminar is designed for activity, recreational and occupational therapists; landscape architects; garden designers; master gardeners; architects; and facility administrators. However, anyone interested in horticultural therapy is invited to attend.

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EDITORS: For more information, contact Ginger Pryor at (717) 270-4391 or Annette McCoy at (717) 240-6500.

Contact:

Jeff Mulhollem jjm29@psu.edu 814-863-2719 814-865-1068 fax