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.

We’re excited to be coming together again outdoors (at a safe social distance and with COVID-19 safety precautions in place). 

What is forest bathing?

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.

Facilitated by certified Nature & Forest Therapy Guide Duncan Murdoch. 

Participants must register in advance: click here

Audubon Members: $30 per session
Non-members: $35 per session

COVID Safety: We are committed to our community's health & safety.

Following CDC guidance, masking and physical distancing for fully vaccinated Vermonters is no longer required. The mandate remains in place for those who are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated, including children who are not yet eligible for a vaccine. 

We understand that some people - even those who are vaccinated, or those who have health concerns, or those who might just feel more comfortable - may choose to continue to wear a mask. We wholeheartedly support their decision and ask all program participants to be respectful of their choice. We recognize that the decision to wear a mask and comfort levels could change for individuals, even over the course of an event. Folks should feel comfortable to ask others to physically distance and/or wear a mask.

Please bring a mask to this event. If you do not have one, please reach out to staff and we will provide one for you.

Please do not attend if you are sick or symptomatic (with fever, cough, and/or shortness of breath), if you have received a positive COVID-19 test result within the last 14 days, or if you have had contact with any other person who is diagnosed with COVID-19 within the last 14 days. 

We will be collecting COVID-19 contact tracing information from everyone when you register for the event. This information will be kept confidential and used only for COVID-19 tracing.

Audubon Vermont will be hosting Forest Bathing in every season this coming year.

Sign up for them all to experience the changing of seasons or drop in for any one!

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 winter expect snow ice, in 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 gcauser@audubon.org.

Photo: Audubon's beaver ponds. Credit: Jerry Davis