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Brushwood Center
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Thriving Nature Virtual Panel

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  • Thriving Nature Virtual Panel, May 5

Thriving Nature Virtual Panel

MAY 5, 1-2:30 VIA ZOOM
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While engaging with nature has demonstrable benefits to mental health, evidence is also emerging that concern for our changing environment and the health of the planet contributes to people’s anxiety. Thus, we need to consider how engaging with nature can help us thrive, but also how we can engage to help nature thrive. In recognition of May as Mental Health Awareness Month, Brushwood Center has partnered with Nature, Culture and Human Health to explore the mental health impacts of climate change. Panelists include Elena Grossman and N. Masani Landfair, scientist and artist from Third Coast Disrupted, Cassandra Powell, and Dr. Louise Chawla. 
Register Today

Panelists:
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Elena Grossman is the Program Director for the Building Resilience Against Climate Effects in Illinois (BRACE-Illinois) Project. BRACE-Illinois is a partnership between the University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health and the Illinois Department of Public Health to help prepare Illinois for the health effects from climate change. She is very interested in built environment and nature-based solutions, climate change and health communication strategies, and climate and health equity. In her free time, she is an avid biker, gardener, eater of delicious foods, and enjoys dance party breaks in the kitchen with her wife and 2-year old son. She was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Guatemala, re-ceived her BA from Franklin and Marshall College, and her MPH from University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health. ​
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N. Masani Landfair's work explores the impact of years of living in a chronically flooded home on Chicago’s South Side and her efforts to heal. She will discuss the role nature figures in her art, daily life, and efforts to heal, both mentally and physically.  Her work has shown at the Museum of Science Industry’s Black Creativity (first place winner), Zhou B. Art Center, Prizm Art Fair, Global Art Project in Italy and Mexico, Prizm Art Fair, the San Francisco In-ternational Arts Festival, Miyako Yoshinaga and is in the collection of the Illinois State Museum. N. Masani Landfair lives and works between Chicago and Northern Georgia.
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Cassandra Powell is a Professor of Linguistics and Communications. She has earned five academic degrees and two Master’s level certifications. As a PTSD survivor, Cassandra provides access to tools that can help us to be in great contact with ourselves and our world through self-love and self-acceptance. In addition, through the non-profit organization she founded in Chicago in 2017, Light of Loving Kindness, Cassandra’s goal is to provide access to hope, health, healing, and wholeness to communities that are underserved and trauma-affected through holistic integrative solutions. 
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​Louise Chawla, PhD, is professor emerita in the Program in Environmental Design and a current Fellow of the Community Engagement, Design and Research (CEDaR) Center at the University of Colorado Boulder. She serves on the Scientific Advisory Committee for the Children and Nature Network, as she has conducted ex-tensive research on the importance of engaging with nature for healthy child and youth development. Her most recent book, co-authored with Victoria Derr and Mara Mintzer, is Placemaking with Children and Youth: Participatory Practices for Planning Sustainable Communities (New Village Press, 2018), which won the 2019 Achievement Award from the Environmental Design Research Association.
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21850 N. Riverwoods Rd.
​Riverwoods, IL 60015

224.633.2424 info@brushwoodcenter.org
Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods is committed to enabling the participation and enjoyment of our programming and events for all visitors. At Brushwood Center, you will have open access to accessible parking and entrance to the house, a gender neutral bathroom, and changing tables.
If you require certain accommodations in order to observe or attend our events, or have questions regarding accessibility of our facilities, please contact our Manager of Public Programs and Communications, Parker Nelson, at pnelson@brushwoodcenter.org or at (224) 633-2424 ext. 1.
Programming and events at Brushwood Center is available to everyone, including but not limited to age, disability, gender, marital status, national origin, race, religion, and sexual orientation.​
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​OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Mondays & Wednesdays: 10am - 3pm
Sundays: 1pm - 3pm
and by appointment 
  • ABOUT
    • Our Mission and Vision
    • Our Board
    • Our Partners
    • Our Staff
    • In the News
    • Blog
    • Join Our Mailing List
    • Visit Us
    • Contact Us
  • EVENTS
  • ART
    • Gallery >
      • Current & Upcoming Exhibitions
      • Past Exhibitions
    • BASE - Brushwood Art Supply Exchange
    • Classes >
      • Botanical Art Academy
      • Create and Sip Classes
    • Calls for Art
  • MUSIC
  • WELLNESS
    • 2022 Nature Explorer Backpack Project
    • Health, Equity, and Nature Accelerator
    • At Ease: Nature and Art for Veterans
    • It's A W.I.N. - Programming for Community
    • Senior Wellness
  • RENTALS
  • SUPPORT
    • Donate
    • Become a Partner
    • Volunteer & Job Opportunities
    • Our Sponsors
    • Shopping Cart