The PVD Space Where It's Always Spring That You & Your Squad Will Want To See Soon

Okay, we didn’t end up getting the snow storm today that so many were stressing about on social, but between the clock change and the much chillier temps circa the last few days, you might be dragging. And in need of a little taste of spring or summer all of a sudden.

So, here’s some marvelous news: there’s a super secret garden in Providence (nope, not the Botanical Center at RWP…it’s beautiful there too, tho) that you will want to make your way to.

Curiously enough, it happens to be located in the vicinity of RISD Museum proper.

Photo courtesy of the RISD Nature Lab Instagram

The lush living wall of plants in question is actually situated on the level below the Edna Lawrence Nature Lab, named for the artist, adventurer, and pioneering instructor who started curating what would later become her namesake collaborative space - where the worlds of nature and art meet - back in the late 1930's. (For the record, I could probably write a bunch of blogs about Ms. Lawrence & the Nature Lab.)

So bundle up (Temps in PVD were hovering around 34 degrees last I checked.) and prep for a quick walk around the corner from the Cafe Pearl entrance, above the RIPTA bus tunnel, and directly across from the historic First Baptist Church.

You should also definitely check out the Lab itself and its collections of butterflies and other insects, taxidermy (!) and live specimens, and all those skeletons that are wildly popular among lovers of both nature and social. I first explored the space the winter before last.

And yes, I did have to weave and manuver around some overzealous selfie fans congregating around the skeletons.

Situated in the aquaponics area (again, just below the ELNL) the green wall or way is 27 feet long and a cheery, uplifting sight, especially during the colder months around these parts.

2019 Photo courtesy of the RISD Nature Lab Instagram

Walls such as this are part of a whole biophilic design movement, with the intention of 'bringing the outside in,’ and reconnecting people (especially those who spend the majority of their days indoors in often times window-less office or work spaces) with nature.

Apparently, among participating organizations or companies studied, the benefits of a green-er work environment include a decrease in call outs and a major increase in feelings of mental clarity. I mean, what's NOT to adore about all of that? 

Photo Credits: Additional photos of "the Green Way" courtesy of PattyJ.com

**This post has been updated and revised from one that has appeared on the site previously.