Proceeds from the Smith Nature Symposium support Thrive Together, Brushwood Center’s COVID-19 crisis response for a more just and sustainable future.

Brushwood Center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the importance of nature for nurturing personal and community wellbeing, cultivating creativity, and inspiring learning. In doing so, we honor the legacy of those who came before us on this land and champion a region where people care for and about nature. 

Help our community recover from the impacts of COVID-19 through the power of art and nature, and re-imagine our new normal at the live-streamed Smith Nature Symposium Series, from August 13-October 2, 2020.
 
From military veterans to seniors to children, Brushwood Center is providing even more vital programs to support people’s physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing during this time. We face increased demand for services to help communities across Cook and Lake Counties cope with COVID-19 and renewed urgency to create equitable access to nature and the arts with BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) communities who are disproportionately impacted by both the pandemic and racial inequities. Children from low-income families need summer enrichment, access to the outdoors, and social-emotional support. Veterans struggling with depression and anxiety need coping resources.  Seniors living in isolation crave stimulation and interaction. People all over the region need cloth face masks to more safely venture outside of their homes. We all seek the inspiration and hope birthed by the creative arts and soul-moving power  of nature.
 
Brushwood Center’s COVID-19 response tackles each of these needs with the belief that everyone deserves to thrive, not just survive.  Our artists, volunteers, partners and supporters are jumping in and contributing in new and creative ways that we would have never anticipated just months ago. At the same time, Brushwood Center faces new challenges as we lose revenue from unrealized building rentals, programs, and ticket sales.
 
We need your help.  Join us to help people and nature thrive, now and into the future by attending or sponsoring the Symposium, or donating to Brushwood Center at www.brushwoodcenter.org. 

Brushwood Center Responds to COVID-19
Helping our Youth, Families, and Veterans Thrive