We couldn’t do this work alone. Below are just some of the amazing community organizations, professional groups, academic institutions and funding agencies we work with to deliver EcoWisdom’s programs and services.
EcoWisdom partners with the Outdoor Learning School to offer training related to inclusive nature connection and mindfulness that focuses on accessible, trauma-informed and inclusive practices.
EcoWisdom sponsored the 2nd International Conference on Nature Therapy organized by MINT at UBC. We also co-presented research as a community partner with university academics demonstrating the beneficial impacts of our Accessible Nature Wellbeing Programs.
EcoWisdom contributed to the development of the “International standard for forest therapy practice: Framework for health, ecology, and cultural integrity” coordinated by the Multidisciplinary Institute of Nature Therapy (MINT) at the University of British Columbia. “International standard for forest therapy practice: Framework for health, ecology, and cultural integrity”
Bridging the Gap Between Health and Parks: Building a Community-Led Nature Prescribing Agenda in Canada is a 2-year study led by University of Toronto, Parks People and the Canadian Institutes of Social Prescribing. EcoWisdom serves on the study’s Community Advisory Group alongside organizations such as ParksRX. Social Prescribing supports health and wellbeing for people by connecting them with community-based activities. Green Social Prescribing (Nature RX) is a form of social prescribing that connects individuals to nature-based activities such as community gardening and nature wellbeing programs.
The Individualized Funding Resource Centre (IFRC) is our primary community partner. They promote disabled people living independently in the community with personal support. Together, we offer numerous programs and services to disability community members.
Technology For Living (TFL) provides assistive devices for individuals living with physical disabilities. They support EcoWisdom by providing technical support for our virtual programming.
Ecospark is a Canadian charity that connects people to their local natural environment. EcoWisdom has worked with Ecospark to develop certification training for the Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) in Health and
Wellness, referencing nature therapy and mindfulness.
Forest Therapy Hub (FTHub) is an international organization specializing in nature therapy guide training and research. EcoWisdom’s co-founder, Kari Krogh, has given lectures to FTHub trainees on accessible and community-based approaches to nature therapy with a focus on being evidence-based and inclusive.
The Canadian Ecology Centre is an outdoor environmental education centre in Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park. Here, EcoWisdom has led training on accessible forest bathing for Ontario’s Nature and Forest Therapy Guides.
EcoWisdom has trained Recreation Therapy students at Canadore College in how to offer accessible and virtual nature therapy programs. This was part of the Outdoor and Adventure Recreation course.
EcoWisdom collaborates with Dr. Kristen McEwan of the University of Derby’s School of Health, Psychology and Social Care, who has led quantitative and qualitative research studies to investigate the impacts of EcoWisdom’s Accessible Nature Wellbeing Program on participants with mobility impairment and/or low energy.
EcoWisdom collaborated with clinical psychologist Dr. Karolina Balciunaite, who led a study on EcoWisdom’s Accessible Nature Wellbeing Program participants while working as a doctoral student at the University of Hertfordshire (supervisor: Stephen Pack). Her study investigated changes in connectedness at the level of self, other and nature.
In collaboration with EcoWisdom and under the supervision of Dr. Kirsten McEwan, Jacob Van Haaften has undertaken data analysis and research dissemination related
to the study of EcoWisdom program impacts on disabled participants. Jacob is a doctoral student in the Clinical Psychology Program at Dalhousie University.
EcoWisdom has partnered with Park People to provide training in best practices for accessible nature connection. EcoWisdom, in collaboration with community partners and guide graduates, has also received TD Park People microgrants to facilitate online and in-person Accessible Nature Wellbeing Programs.
EcoWisdom is incredibly grateful to partner with the IFRC to receive grants from the New Horizons for Seniors Program, funded by the Government of Canada, to offer a range of community-based nature mindfulness trainings and programs for seniors with disabilities to promote their wellbeing.
EcoWisdom is very pleased to have partnered with both the IFRC and TFL to receive a highly competitive Healthy Communities Initiative grant, funded by the Government of Canada, to promote wellbeing for people living with disabilities through community-based nature connection programming.