In celebration of Earth Week, Westminster College’s Harms Center for the Environment is hosting a series of public events, including “The History and Science of Bonsai,” at 12:40 p.m. on Thursday, April 24, in Room 166 of the Hoyt Science Center.

The one-hour event will feature a presentation by Michael Stern, a seasoned bonsai cultivator with nearly 50 years of experience in his field.

Attendees will have the opportunity to explore the Japanese art of bonsai, learning about its history, cultural significance and the horticultural science behind creating and maintaining miniature trees. The event will also include a showcase of bonsai specimens, offering a close-up look at this centuries-old practice.

Stern’s passion for bonsai began at age 5 when his grandmother received a juniper bonsai as a gift from his grandfather. Years later, a graduate school classmate at Baylor University reintroduced him to the art form, igniting a lifelong pursuit.

“Nearly 50 years later, I continue to enjoy the process of taking nursery stock or collected material and trimming and wiring it to create a representation of a tree that reconnects me or the viewer with nature,” said Stern.

The mission of the Clarence and Mary Ann Harms Center for the Environment is to connect people with each other and the natural world. They strive to create an understanding of the dynamic relationships among society, our environment and the economy.

The event is free and open to the public, with light refreshments provided.

For more information, please contact Dr. Helen Boylan, faculty fellow for community engagement, at boylanhm@westminster.edu or 724-946-6293.

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