We offer online forest bathing programs, professional training, and community peer support grounded in nature connection and inclusion.
What We Do: We offer innovative forest bathing (shinrin yoku/mindful nature connection) programs that are designed to be effective and inclusive of people living with disabilities, chronic illness, anxiety, pain, or fatigue. Our programs can be led online with adaptable invitations for nature-connection. We also provide training using a flexible format with opportunities for live virtual interactions.
“I really did not think I would ever feel a connection to strangers over an internet group. I definitely feel more like I can approach people, and I feel like my relationships are a little bit deeper. I find I’m definitely seeking out more connection and wanting that, recognizing that warm feeling that I got, that has been missing in my life.” (quote from study 3, online & in person EcoWisdom programs)
Who We Are: We are a team of experts in forest bathing program facilitation, forest medicine research, mindfulness meditation, and/or accessibility. We engage in a regular practice of forest bathing using a range of accessible methods.
“There’s no commentary, there’s no judgment, it just is what it is, even when I was really struggling to find out what was going on for myself, even when I couldn’t meet myself, nature was still holding my hand in it.” (quote from study 3, online & in-person EcoWisdom programs)
Validity of Our Unique Approach: Researchers have found that EcoWisdom’s
programs are inclusive and support overall wellbeing. Studies have also documented
significant reductions in pain, fatigue, anxiety/depression, memory/concentration issues,
and rumination. Some participants also report improved ability to cope and increased
hope for the future.
“I can control my breathing better. Bring my blood pressure down. I often use nature images to bring about that feeling of pain relief.” (quote from study 3, online & in-person EcoWisdom programs)
EcoWisdom Forest Preserve
The EcoWisdom Forest Preserve is the heart and soul of EcoWisdom. It is a beautiful natural habitat comprising over 200 acres of land with forests, wetlands, streams and a river. Located close to Algonquin Provincial Park, it is an important animal habitat for moose, deer, elk, bear, lynx and wolves. The goals of the EcoWisdom Forest Preserve are to:
1. Protect the forest and its plant and animal biodiversity
2. Offer forest bathing programs and guide training inclusive of people who experience barriers to nature.
3. Provide environmental education
We would like to acknowledge that the EcoWisdom Forest Preserve is located within the traditional territory of Kijicho Manito Madaouskarini Algonquin First Nation, who occupied and cared for this land thousands of years before European contact. The Algonquin, along with several other related Indigenous groups, compose the larger Anishinaabe cultural and linguistic family, which extends throughout the modern-day Northeastern United States and Central Canada. EcoWisdom is located within the confines of the 1923 Williams treaty and lies at the centre of the area of the Algonquin land claim, an area of 36,000 square kilometres, with 1.2 million residents.
We acknowledge that we are guests on this land and are grateful for the stewardship and contributions of Indigenous peoples. We commit to practices of land stewardship, decolonization and reconciliation through our programs, content, and vision.
