Gardening for Climate Change
Discover the transformative power of gardening in the face of climate change with Errol Fernandes, Head of Horticulture at South London’s Horniman Museum and Garden. Join an enlightening discussion on navigating the challenges of a climate crisis and its impact on mental health.
As we delve into the importance of fostering a deeper connection with nature and the environment, Errol will draw from his experiences at the Horniman Museum and Garden to shed light on the role of horticulture and its role in supporting communities.
Through the talk, Errol will briefly share his unique journey from an artist and art/horticultural therapist, and explore how his past shapes his innovative approach to public horticulture. Discover the sustainability, climate, and biodiversity-focused initiatives that guide much of Errol’s work and the pivotal role community engagement and volunteering play in achieving these goals.
Don’t miss this opportunity to gain a fresh perspective on gardening’s potential to make a positive impact in times of climate and biodiversity crisis.
Speaker Bio - Errol Fernandes
Errol Fernandes is an RHS Committee Member and Head of Horticulture at the Horniman Museum and Gardens in South London where he manages the 16 acres of stunning gardens. The Horniman Museum is the only museum in the country with a social anthropology, natural history and gardens collection. This unique position allows them to traverse and explore the areas where we overlap and intertwine with nature and the gardens are essential in helping to communicate this narrative.
Having had a love of nature and a passion for gardening from a very young age, Errol seemingly diverted away from the horticultural path to study fine art and went on to develop a career as a painter and curator, exhibiting internationally before studying for a Masters in Art Psychotherapy. Errol then went on to practice as an art psychotherapist within adult psychiatry and also worked with children and adolescents and slowly began to include elements of gardening therapy in his work. Errol later went on to gain horticultural and botanical training. Errol’s approach to landscape management, horticulture and design is creative, thoughtful and sensitive.
Errol is particularly interested in ecological and sustainable horticulture and develops planting schemes that sit comfortably alongside nature, have a low impact on the environment both in terms of implementation and maintenance but he also strives to push the boundaries of contemporary horticulture and design practice. Working with communities sharing knowledge, nurturing collaborative working practices, and inspiring the next generation of horticulturalists are principles that are central to his work.
