hello

my name is Sandra…Welcome to humanaturescapes where I will spruik all things restorative green spaces.

I’m a European-born Australian, of an age that the Romans would have poetically called viridus*. This is a new adventure for me, deep diving into the world of restorative environments in all its guises, I hope you’ll join me.

My background is teaching and landscape architecture, with a passion for restorative and therapeutic landscapes. This interest stems from a double masters in Landscapes Architecture (Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences - Alnarp and University of Melbourne), where I was introduced to Environmental Psychology, Nature-Based Therapies and Therapeutic Horticulture.

I am a garden volunteer at the Royal Talbot Rehabilitation Centre in Melbourne, helping to care for a space that provides respite and calm to staff, patients and their visitors.

My master theses allowed me to really explore the world of therapeutic landscapes. I hope to share more of what I have found over the years both during and since my studies - its a growing and exciting field.

Topics such as biodiversity, Forest Bathing, Therapeutic Horticulture, regenerative agriculture and many more will pop up in these pages…if you think I have missed something or want to share something yourself, please get in touch.

* Viridus = having green old age, between the age of forty-five and sixty. I like its link to Hildegard of Bingen’s viriditas, which was all about the magical energy and power of plants and the colour green, so I’ll take it. Plus it puts a positive word spin on the challenges of being peri-menopausal. 

RESTORE - How Green Spaces support Human Restoration

I am currently in the process of wrapping up my first ever book, which you will find here for pre-sale soon. Its been an amazing project, with fantastic travels, magical gardens, truly lovely encounters with very generous people and lots of time spent in calming, restorative spaces.

Born from my Masters - Research Thesis (Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Alnarp) it has grown and evolved into something that is hopefully easy to read, understand and apply. I cannot wait to share it - stay tuned!