TD Park People Grant Funded 2021 Programs
These programs were offered by the Park People group, Accessible Nature Wellbeing Programs. These programs were designed and facilitated by EcoWisdom. Leadership and oversight of the project was provided by the Individualized Funding Resource Centre (https://ifrcsociety.org). Technology for Living provided important technical support to ensure that the online programming was accessible to people living with disability (https://www.technologyforliving.org).
In 2021, we offered the following three programs:
ANWP #1: Nature Wellbeing: Practicing Shinrin Yoku to Improve Physical
and Emotional Health
May 8, 2021
Some doctors in BC are offering green prescriptions, recognizing that time in nature has many physical and emotional health benefits. We will review forest medicine research in this virtual event. Participants will be taught, supported and guided through a series of nature-connection practices and then encouraged to use them onsite at Stanley Park (or alternative covid-safe greenspace). Afterwards, participants will be provided with a chance to engage in creative reflection and sharing about their experiences.
ANWP #2: Nature Mindfulness: Finding Refuge in Urban Greenspaces
July 10, 2021
Bringing regular kind attention to the present moment through mindfulness practices offers many health benefits including stabilizing emotions and managing symptoms such as pain, anxiety and depression. Participants will be taught, supported and guided through nature mindfulness and meditation practices and then encouraged to use them onsite at English Bay Park (or an alternative covid-safe green/blue space). Afterwards participants will be provided with a chance to engage in creative reflection and sharing about their experiences.
ANWP #3: Nature, Neuroscience and Resiliency:
Bringing Forest Bathing to Urban Parks
Sept 11, 2021
Engaging in a regular practice of nature mindfulness and shinrin-yoku/ forest bathing can result in beneficial and long-lasting changes to the brain. After exploring the neuroscience of nature connection, participants will be taught, supported and guided through nature resiliency practices. Afterwards, participants will be encouraged to use these practices onsite at the Beaver Lake Trail (or an alternative covid-safe greenspace). Invitations to engage in creative reflection and sharing about their experience will be provided.
Notes on Covid-Safety and Accessibility on TD Park People Grant Funded 2021 Programs
These three “events” are designed with covid safety in mind. While three specific parks are identified: Stanley Park, English Bay and Beaver Lake Trail, participants can make alternative arrangements if travelling to those spaces is not considered covid-safe.
The central component is a 2.5-hour synchronous virtual program where participants will be able to come together as a supportive community as they explore nature connection, mindfulness and resiliency practices. This will enable people who may otherwise experience social isolation to safely enjoy social connections, including small group sharing and learn about ways to mindfulness connect to nature. Each participant will determine a safe and accessible way to be guided in the nature practices – in a nearby green space, on a balcony or indoors.
Afterwards, participants are invited to travel to a specific park within Metro Vancouver (or an alternative safe green/blue space) to use the nature practices they were taught.