Events

Past Events

TD PP: ANWP #1 English Bay
English Bay, Sat June 11, 2022
To register, please email anwp@ecowisdom.ca referencing “ANWP: English Bay.”

BC doctors are offering green prescriptions, recognizing that time in nature has many physical and emotional health benefits. Individuals and peer support groups can access this powerful resource. Forest medicine research will be reviewed in this 2.5 hr virtual “nature retreat.” 

We will explore using water imagery, sounds and meditations to help manage pain and release tension from the body.

This program is designed to be inclusive of and accessible for people living with disability/ chronic illness. You can participate indoors with a houseplant while reclining, on a balcony with a view of trees, in a garden, or in a park with internet access. 

You will be guided through a series of nature-connection practices to calm the mind and body. We will conclude with a tea ceremony by an outdoor campfire shared online. 

Participants are encouraged to take the nature mindfulness practices of the program into Vancouver parks! During this particular program, you will be invited to explore English Bay. Information on accessibility, public transit and site highlights will be provided.

Accessible Nature Wellbeing Program #2
Green Prescriptions: Promoting Health and Wellbeing Through
Nature Connection
March 9th, 2022

During this program, we reviewed the many health benefits of mindful nature connection that have been documented by research. We then moved through a series of invitations using our unique model that includes preparation of the body and imaginative mind before engaging in direct and virtual nature-connection activities as a supportive, inclusive, and non-judgmental community. This program, funded by a Canada Healthy Communities Initiative Grant was offered free of charge. We welcomed people of all abilities from across Canada, however, the majority of the participants were people living with a disability within the region of southern British Columbia.

Accessible Nature Wellbeing Program #1
Nature Connection in Community: Nurturing Resiliency While Honouring Grief
Jan 15, 2022

This program was designed in response to the passing of our team leader Nancy Lear. We
created a nature-connection memorial program to offer comfort for those experiencing multiple forms of grief including those related to our pandemic circumstance. Through a series of mindful nature-connection invitations, we were able to find solace in the company of nature’s beauty and one another. We designed a unique candle lighting ceremony that marked the four seasons of the year as we reflected on lives lost. We concluded with an outdoor tea ceremony. After offering our first cup of tea to the earth with gratitude, we threw a cup of tea into the air for Nancy. The hot tea froze in the -35C temperatures and dissipated as mist. This program, funded by a Canada Healthy Communities Initiative Grant was offered free of charge. We welcomed people of all abilities from across Canada, however, the majority of the participants were people living with disability within the region of southern British Columbia.

Nature Wellness Program #3: Nature, Neuroscience and Resiliency
Nature, Neuroscience and Resiliency: Bringing Forest Bathing to Urban Parks.
Funded by a TD Park People Grant
September 18th, 2021

This is the third in a series of three innovative and accessible nature-connection programs. This free, public program is specifically designed to be accessible to people who live with physical disabilities. 

Engaging in a regular practice of nature mindfulness and shinrin-yoku/ forest bathing can result in beneficial and long-lasting changes to the brain. We will explore the neuroscience of nature connection during an online 2.5 hr program using zoom, with participants being guided in enjoyable and relaxing nature-connection practices. Afterwards, participants will be encouraged to use these practices onsite at the Beaver Lake Trail (or an alternative greenspace/park that is more accessible or covid-safe to access). 

  • Do you find that spending time in nature, or gazing upon nature images, brings you a sense of calm?
  • Would you like to understand the science behind the practice of shinrin-yoku/forest bathing, a wellness practice used by 75% of the Japanese Population?
  • Are you seeking new ways to experience stress reduction and wellness? 

EcoWisdom is thrilled to be partnering with IFRC and TFL to offer three virtual Accessible Nature Wellness Programs funded by TD Park People. We aim to support the engagement of people with disabilities in parks and greenspaces.

 

1.  Improving Physical and Emotional Wellbeing Through Shinrin-Yoku/ Forest Bathing  (May 15th, 2021)

2. Nature Mindfulness: Finding Refuge in Urban Greenspaces
(July 17th, 2021)

3. Nature, Neuroscience and Resiliency: Bringing Forest Bathing to Urban Parks (September 18th, 2021)

For more information on inclusive and mindful nature connections, visit our Instagram page below: