THE HUMAN NATURE CENTER

growing real culture with ecology and art

The Human Nature Center is a 501c3 mobile Ecology Arts Shop based in Ventura, California. We connect people to Nature and to each other through hands-on acts of growing and making. We use the arts as teaching tools for ecology.

Our name comes from our belief that Humans are Nature, so when we nurture nature we’re also taking care of ourselves. The Human Nature Center exists to help people of all ages reconnect with the basic cycles of life and to re-infuse our daily living with deeper meaning as tenders of life on earth.

 Classes

We have designed a few of our favorite workshops to share with you at home. Now, more than ever, families need to learn meaningful skills and connect in small groups with quality mentors. Together we’re gardening, sewing, and constructing our way to a more beautiful way of being. We would love to share these to your family or classroom:

What Families are Saying:

“I really liked the fact that we were connecting with nature and also doing something meaningful with nature…We were able to take the science, and nature, and the art, and create it into something tactile, something she can hold onto and be proud of.” Neha D., Parent, Wild Craft Camp At-Home

“Love, love, love this class! This class is kind, fun, and kids get to learn new skills. The class taught us gardening skills, growing food, recipes, etc. Children get to be children, connect with their community, and meet other families. Thank you Human Nature Center!” Renee C., Parent, Garden Lab

“What I enjoyed the most was the connection: not only to everyone in the class, but connection to the earth with these projects.” Meg A., Parent, Wild Craft Camp At-Home

“Garden Lab is a thoughtful introduction to growing crops. From cultivating soil and proper seed placement. Everything was presented in a manner that was easy to understand and done in a way to keep interests for all. All details were explained so well.” Anonymous Parent, Garden Lab

“I tell everyone about this class. The concept and the execution are amazing. Brings kids back to nature where they belong.” Ita O., Parent, Garden Lab

BOOKING

We are currently booking school and home groups for live Zoom classes. Each class comes with a mailed home materials kit.

Our hands-on workshops can be taught as one-time events or unfold into seasonal sessions.

Contact us at hello@thehumannaturecenter.com to discuss creating a unique and nourishing offering for your home or school.

Popups

Reconnecting people with the magic of our incredible home planet is the heart of our work. Pop-up experiences transform ordinary places into transcendent community spaces.

Garden at Flora Animalia Workshop, Los Angeles

We designed this mixed edible and California native garden for Flora Animalia, a sustainable fashion design studio, in Los Angeles. The founder’s vision is to create a space that welcomes neighborhood residents for workshops on seasonal eating and sustainable handicraft.  

The Beginning, 2018:

Now:

The Dream Tent Project
Orange County, California

In the Winter of 2016, we held an experimental series that was part skills workshop, part ceremony. During an eight week period, twenty different women with no previous experience designed, built, and sewed a shelter made of canvas and local bamboo and painted it with milk and mineral pigments.

The intention of the project was to put a new spin on a “quilting circle,” creating a practically driven community space for women to gather, connect, engineer, and creatively problem solve together. The result was all of that plus magic, and we celebrated Spring Equinox with a gratitude ceremony in our newly built Dream Tent. 

The Learning Garden
Ventura, CA

We’re currently building a prototype of an outdoor learning space in a home yard in Ventura. The vision is a mini ecological oasis in an urban area. The goal is to show anyone can do it. The space will feature climate-suited edibles, native plants and ground cover, composting, water harvesting, and lots of inspiration for engaging children at home. Here are some “pre-” photos, Fall 2020.

We’re inspired by spaces that nourish all beings and whole beings:

Consulting

We are honored to collaborate with companies and organizations to help design, build, and activate hands-on spaces for nature connection. Those spaces may be a garden, a classroom, or a public space.

Recent client-partners include:

• The Abundant Table: La Mesa Abundante

• The Ecology Center

• The Sage Garden Project

• Community Development Partners

• SEEDS Arts and Education 

• Flora Animalia Clothing

support our work

Give yourself the gift of living in a community where families thrive. When you support The Human Nature Center’s work, you support safe connective and creative spaces for children and adults. You keep dollars local, and you build a brighter future for all.