Three IN-PERSON sessions October 7, 14, 21 Even as trees are felled around us and our hills are leveled down to Georgia red clay, we have ways and means to “restore our bodies and souls with time in nature,” to heed the words of naturalist John Muir, founder of our National Parks. In this course, we will explore the benefits of Native Science as taught by the Cherokee with native plants; practice health and wellness in Linwood Nature Preserve as practiced by the Japanese with Forest Baths (no towel needed); and study the Homegrown National Park “new approach to conservation that starts in our own yards.” Margaret Byrd Rasmussen is founding executive director of Redbud Project: Model for Preservation of Green Space and manager of Longstreet 1875 Heritage Landscape. A National Garden Club Environmental consultant, she holds the certificate in native plants from the State Botanical Garden of Georgia, is a Georgia Master Naturalist, Hall County Master Gardener, and member of Georgia Native Plant Society. She holds master’s degrees in history from Univ. of Rochester, Univ. at Buffalo (NY), Alfred University, and a BA degree in English and journalism from University of South Carolina.