🌿 Rooftop Reciprocity: An Urban Gardening — Action Lab #3 🌱

In a bustling urban environment, what does it mean to pause and foster connections with the living beings around us? Join us for the Metacrisis Action Lab, a unique blend of mingling, workshops, tea ceremonies, and meditation — all while getting our hands in the soil!

We'll dive into the fascinating properties and histories of the herbs we’ll be planting, focusing on the design principles of your personal urban garden. Gardening becomes a small yet meaningful act of reciprocity in our chaotic, capital-driven world. Together, we aim to heal our relationship with nature, one planter at a time.

Our herb selections are thoughtful: rosemary, sage, hyssop, mugwort, and yarrow. Each has been cherished by humanity for centuries for their roles in remembrance, cleansing, protection, dreaming, and healing. Lauren will guide us through the rich histories of these plants before we bring them to life in the soil.

We’ll then head up to the Lightning Society rooftop to put our learnings into action, transforming neglected planters into vibrant herbal gardens. Participants will leave with their own plant, a bit of soil under their nails, and inspiration for cultivating at home.

Afternoon Schedule:

• 3:00–3:30 — Arrival & mingle
• 3:30–3:50 — Herbal presentation
• 3:50-4:10 — Herbal Tea Tasting + Discussion
• 4:10-4:30 — Rooftop Garden Talk
• 4:30–6:30 — Hands-on planting and engaging activities on the rooftop
• 6:30 onward — For those who wish to stay, let’s enjoy food together while watching the sunset after a fulfilling day!

Tips: Bring a sun hat and dress comfortably, as we’ll be soaking up the sun and getting a little dirty.

About Lauren:
Lauren Sadowsky serves as the Business Development Manager at The Horticultural Society of New York. With expertise in urban agriculture, green infrastructure, public space activation, and natural areas stewardship, she holds a Master’s degree in Natural Resources and Community-Based Conservation from Colorado State. Lauren’s systems thinking approach makes her the perfect guide in viewing gardens as vital relationships rather than mere decorations.