Lecture Series
The Pursuit of Happiness:
Finding Joy in Nature
A virtual lunchtime discussion exploring the science of nature’s impact on the brain
Wednesday, May 20, 2026 • 12 – 1 pm
Conversation Only: Members $10 • Non-members $15
Conversation and Forest Bathing: Members $40 • Non-members $45
Extend your experience by adding the in-person Forest Bathing for Health course on June 6 from 10 am - 12 pm at a discounted rate! Discount code for lecture attendees will be emailed after registration.
Register Today →
Do you ever feel overwhelmed by constant media, packed schedules, and work pressures? Many of us know the relief that comes from stepping outside, breathing fresh air, and reconnecting with the natural world.
Join environmental neuroscientist Marc Berman, PhD, and psychologist and neuroscientist Emily Falk, PhD, for an engaging conversation on the science behind nature’s restorative effects. They will explore how time in natural environments can boost energy, sharpen focus, lift mood, and support mental and physical well-being.
To experience the calming effects of nature firsthand, visit Morris Arboretum & Gardens this season. In June 2026, the Morris will launch The Pursuit of Happiness: Finding Joy in Nature, a summer exhibition designed to help visitors slow down and savor what it feels like to be immersed in nature. Participants can also extend their experience even further by adding the in-person Forest Bathing for Health course on June 6 at a discounted rate.
Speakers:
Marc Berman, PhD
Professor of Psychology, University of Chicago; Director, Environmental Neuroscience Lab; author of Nature and the Mind: The Science of How Nature Improves Cognitive, Physical, and Social Well-Being (2025).
Emily Falk, PhD
Professor of Communication, Psychology, Marketing, and OID, University of Pennsylvania; Vice Dean, Annenberg School for Communication; Director, Communication Neuroscience Lab and Climate Communication Division, Annenberg Public Policy Center; author of What We Value: The Neuroscience of Choice and Change (2025).
Endowed Lectures
An annual series of lectures held from late fall to early spring that explore a wide variety of fascinating topics. Lectures are supported in part by the Klein Lecture Endowment given in memory of Dr. William M. Klein who served from 1977-1990 as the Arboretum’s first full-time director, the Laura L. Barnes Lecture Endowment of The Philadelphia Foundation, given in memory of Laura Barnes by students and alumni of her school of horticulture, and the Byron Lukens Lecture Endowment, given in memory of educator and Arboretum volunteer, Byron Lukens and his wife Elizabeth.