The Nebraska Statewide Arboretum is helping Huskers set down new roots as they begin the University of Nebraska–Lincoln's fall 2024 semester.
Arboretum staff are preparing cuttings of houseplants that students can pick at the Aug. 24 Well-being Fest and care for in their residence hall rooms, apartments and homes. Toby Burnham, member/affiliate coordinator for the arboretum, said the activity is a way to help students grow a connection with natural elements.
“It’s about giving them something that is meaningful, that does support wellness, and is engaging with them on a tangible, one-on-one basis,” Burnham said.
Well-being Fest will be from 10 a.m. to noon Aug. 24 on the Meier Commons and Union Plaza. The event will feature vendor booths from a variety of organizations, games and sessions of goat yoga.
The arboretum started participating in the fair in 2022. In the first year, they gave away about 150 plants. That total doubled to around 300 a year ago. They plan to take about 300 again this year. Burnham said the event provides greenery for students who might have limited space or less than ideal conditions for plants.
“Students don’t necessarily have yards to be planting trees or putting in pollinator gardens,” Burnham said. “So we were thinking what can we do to engage with the students that’s a little more tangible and hands-on.”
The arboretum puts out a call for donations throughout the summer and receives cuttings from members, faculty and staff. Burnham said people love to share plants with the students.
“People are so responsive,” he said. “They get excited to be able to help out.”
During the wellness fair, students can select a plant and put it in a small terracotta pot provided by the arboretum. There are usually several varieties to choose from, such as begonias, pothos and spider plants.
“We try to get students plants that are a going to be a little bit easier to take care of,” Burnham said.
Burnham said students are excited to get a free plant, but they also try to encourage them to get their hands dirty, especially those who have never potted a plant. He thinks having them work with the soil themselves fosters the students’ connection to nature.
“It gives them a sense of pride that they now have this little living thing to take care of,” he said. “I think it gives them a sense of pride and a sense of ownership; it’s a good teaching method. It’s a good way to connect them to nature and instill that want to take care of it.”
Burnham said there is a lot of research that shows a connection to nature benefits students and humans in general. Nature-based décor can serve as a way to reset focus and attention rather than getting absorbed in a virtual world.
“We’re always depleted with all these notifications on our phones and other things, that we need more connection to those natural elements that help replenish our faculties,” Burnham said.
Houseplants are trendy at the moment, Burnham said, but he hopes the activity at the wellness fair and caring for even one houseplant sparks a deeper interest in all plants in the future.
“Houseplants help filter the air, but also having a little bit of nature in the built environment is really important for health and well-being,” Burnham said. “It is really important to get some living green things in students’ rooms.”
