Come experience nature in new and deeply familiar ways with the practice of forest bathing.  A different act than other nature connection experiences such as hiking, birding, or tree identifying, in forest bathing you are invited to slow down with intentionality and mindfulness to engage your traditional five senses and beyond. Give your body and mind a chance to rest and restore while taking in the subtleties and wonder of nature.

We will walk through the incredibly dynamic, diverse and loved land of the Green Mountain Audubon Center, being sure to visit the hemlock swamp, beaver pond, and babbling brook. The walk will be less than a mile and will conclude with a tea ceremony. 

Photo: spring wildflowers Credit: Gwen Causer

Forest Bathing is a research-based practice for supporting healing and wellness through immersion in forests and other natural environments. The decades old practice originated in Japan and is known as shinrin-yoku, which literally translates to “taking in the forest" or “forest bathing”. Studies have demonstrated a wide array of health benefits, especially in the cardiovascular and immune systems, and for stabilizing and improving mood and cognition. Your Nature & Forest Therapy Guide builds on those benefits and looks beyond to what happens when people remember that we are a part of nature and are intrinsically connected to all other beings in fundamental ways.

Listen to this NPR podcast about Forest Bathing and its benefits.

Fee: $35 for all

Trail/accessibility information: The walk will be at a slower-than-usual-pace with many pauses and will cover less than 1 mile. The maintained trails are unchallenging, are of bare earth, uneven at times and flat without hills or climbs.  There are roots and rocks throughout.  The conditions of the trails will vary from season to season and day to day.  In the spring expect some mud, in summer some mosquitos, and in fall a covering of leaves on the ground.  An interactive trail map is available here: https://vt.audubon.org/visit-us 

If you require accommodations or have questions about accessibility, please contact Audubon Vermont at 802-434-3068

Facilitated by certified Nature & Forest Therapy Guide Duncan Murdoch. 
Learn more: https://natureconnectionguide.com/