IFSA-MINT Forest Therapy Event on Oct 02 and Oct 03

Guided Forest Therapy Walk—brief introduction (10:00 AM-12:00PM)

  • Date: Oct 02, 2023
  • Time: 10:00 AM-12:00PM
  • Location: Pacific Spirit Regional Park 
  • Meet-up point: Pacific Spirit Regional Park – Park Centre Parking Lot [4915 W 16th Ave, Vancouver, BC V6R 3E9]
  • Guides: 
    • Alex Gesse (Forest Bathing & Forest Therapy Training | FTHub (foresttherapyhub.com))
      • Alex Gesse holds a postgraduate degree in Business Administration and an E-MBA from EAE Business School in Barcelona. He is currently completing degrees in Sociology and Psychology. As a Public Health and Forestry advisor to the Union of South European Foresters (USSE) and other public institutions, Alex has been instrumental in collaborations, including serving as a specialist consultant in the Expert Group on Human Health and Wellbeing for Forest Europe. In conjunction with a multidisciplinary team, he has developed The FTHub Method and the Liquid Interactions Model (LIM) for Forest Bathing activities and Forest Therapy Interventions. This holistic approach integrates the latest scientific insights into nature and health with traditional approaches, now recognized as nature connectedness.FTHub has devised standardized Forest Therapy programs aimed at preventing health issues among specific populations, encompassing mental health, intellectual disabilities, and children facing the risk of social exclusion. The underpinnings of the FTHub Method and the LIM Model stem from experience gained through over 30 pilot forest therapy projects and research conducted in collaboration with diverse universities and institutions. Presently, FTHub is actively involved in a European Union-funded research project named NATURELAB, which focuses on designing and implementing nature-based interventions. FTHub’s projects have been cited as exemplary cases in various international publications and conferences spanning different regions.Alex is the author of “Feel the Forest: The Experience of Shinrin-Yoku (Forest Bathing),” published by Penguin Random House Editorial Group. He is also a co-author of “Baños de Bosque: 50 Rutas Para Sentir La Naturaleza” (Forest Bathing: 50 Routes to Feel Nature), published by Petit Fute. His work includes “Feasibility and Experience of a Forest Therapy Intervention for Adults Enduring Stress” (Chapter 6, Forests for Public Health, Cambridge Scholars Publishing 2020), and “Forest Bathing and Forest Therapy” (Chapter in “Nature, Climate, and Public Health,” to be published in 2024).
    • Yawei Wei 
      • Yawei Wei is a Master’s student at the University of British Columbia, Faculty of Forestry, under the esteemed guidance of Dr. Guangyu Wang. Hailing from the vibrant city of Shanghai, China, Yawei has embraced Canada as her academic and professional home for more than nine enriching years. With a multifaceted background, she achieved her bachelor’s and first master’s degree at the University of Saskatchewan, specializing in Horticulture and Sustainable Environmental Management respectively. Yawei’s journey has been marked by extensive involvement in diverse research initiatives, a testament to her dedication. Her roles as a graduate student assistant, laboratory assistant, and research assistant have showcased her active contribution to advancing the frontiers of knowledge. Notably, Yawei’s scholarly pursuits revolve around the captivating realm of Forest Therapy, with a dedicated focus on both single-element and double-element testing methodologies to ascertain the affirmative impacts of forest environments.
      • Furthermore, Yawei is a certified Forest Therapy Guide from the esteemed Forest Therapy Hub (FTH). Her accomplishment is not only a testament to her dedication but also underscores her commitment to the transformative potential of nature. Yawei has led forest therapy walks for diverse groups, including students and faculties from the UBC Department of Forestry, the Department of Medicine, and the Graduate Student Union. Fluent in both English and Mandarin, Yawei aspires to continue imparting the profound principles of Forest Therapy to individuals from diverse linguistic backgrounds, enriching their lives through this harmonious union of nature and well-being.
  • Walk preparation:
    • Wear warm and comfortable cloths Sunscreen and insect repellentHats, caps or head warmers Raincoats (or other light coats for sudden rain)Snacks (sweet and salty)
    • Please bring sufficient water (minimum of 1 litre) with you to drink
  • Walk process:
    • Gather at the meet-up location
    • Warm-up activities:
  • Forest therapy guides will provide a brief introduction to all the participants at the parking lot of Pacific Spirit Park—Park Centre Parking Lot (4915 W 16h Ave, Vancouver, BC, V6R 3E9)
  • Participants are encouraged to give an introduction to each other, two people in a pair, and we encourage everyone to find the one that she/he does not know before
  • (potential)—warm-up exercise 
  • Actual Forest Therapy Walk:
    • Different nature connection activities throughout the whole walk (usually 15-20 minutes per activity, 3-6 activities in total)
      • Meditation with instructions
        • Instructed meditation will be given with gentle background music, and the instructions will lead all the participants first to feel themselves in the forest and then let them think and imagine the history of the park, for instance: the indigenous people, wild animals, fire, renovation, and restoration etc.
        • Purpose: we use this activity to help all the participants to open their five senses and let them truly feel the nature
        • At the end of the meditation session, everyone is encouraged to share their feelingswith others. This part is completely voluntary, and any thoughts are welcomed 
      • Relaxing activities that help participants further use their five senses to feel nature and build their connections with nature, for example: 
        • Smelling flowers
        • Noticing the nature surroundings 
        • Listening to nature sounds 
        • Touching trees, shrubs, mosses and etc.
        • Share a story that you have in nature 
        • Some memories of a particular tree 
        • Use cell phones to take nature pictures 
        • Our forest therapy guides will also provide paper and pens for participants to draw nature
        • Using nature components to create arts
          • E.g. using the fallen branches to create natural wood art, using stones to create stone arts
        • Forest yoga
        • At the end of the each activity, everyone is encouraged to share their feelings with others. This part is completely voluntary, and any thoughts are welcomed 
      • Closing activity
        • The Circle: participants could form a circle and share their experiences, listen to others and build the group experiences 
        • (potential)Tea ceremony: participants group together, enjoying the tea and sharing their experiences and thoughts about the walk 

Focus: The main focus of the guided forest therapy walk is on the significant “moments” of nature connection and engagement

  • It is an emotional connection that, in turn, promotes pro-environmental and pro-social attitudes
  • Interaction and social cohesion
  • Our forest therapy guides will help participants to open their five senses and rediscover or foster their relationships with the land, which will help participants build up their connection with nature

How to Join:

Participation is open to all UBC students and staff. Simply register for the event and be prepared for a transformative experience that will leave you feeling refreshed, inspired, and connected. Take a step towards unlocking your potential and join us on this remarkable journey of exploration and growth.

For more information and to register, click here for your application link. Embrace the opportunity to rejuvenate your mind, body, and spirit in the embrace of nature, and be a part of a vibrant community that is committed to personal and environmental well-being. Don’t miss out – register now!

Please note that seats are limited and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis according to the order of application.

Oct 2 Panel Discussion (1:00-2:30 PM)

Topic: Healing in the Heart of Nature: Panel Discourse and Forest Therapy Guided Walk

Brief intro:

Following a rejuvenating morning of Guided Forest Therapy, the panel redirects its attention to the investigation of how this practice can holistically diminish stress and enrich the mental health of both students and faculty members. Attendees are invited to participate in a dialogue that encompasses tangible experiential insights, scientific viewpoints, and a strategic outlook for seamlessly amalgamating nature’s calming influence into the academic sphere

Speakers: Alex Gesse

Location: Forest Science Center 1221

Other main participants include: Dr. Guangyu Wang and his MINT Team

Oct 3 Small Seminar—Guest Lecture from Alex Gesse (3:30-5:00 PM)

Topic: The FTHub Method and Liquid Interactions Model (LIM) for Forest Therapy and Forest Bathing constitute an interactive and integrative framework for social and clinical interventions

Brief Intro:

As an enriching follow-up to the captivating discussions on Guided Forest Therapy, the upcoming seminar led by Alex promises an academic exploration of this transformative field. In this seminar, Alex, drawing from a reservoir of expertise, will navigate through various dimensions of Forest Therapy. From practical implementations and personal experiences to case studies and specific research areas, the seminar will provide a comprehensive overview of the subject. With a global perspective, Alex will shed light on the landscape of Forest Therapy in different regions and countries, unveiling the intricate intersections with market demands and regional needs. As the seminar delves into challenges faced in real-world Forest Therapy practice, attendees will gain insights from concrete examples, visionary projections, and the roadmap ahead. Alex’s extensive academic engagements with various universities will also steer the conversation towards collaborative potentials and future research directions. Join us for this illuminating seminar that promises to propel Forest Therapy’s transformative potential into new academic horizons

Speaker: Alex Gesse

Other main participants include: Dr. Guangyu Wang and his MINT Team

Yawei’s Thesis Research Volunteer recruitment 

Topic: Comparing the effects of forest therapy and indoor simulated nature environment on human physical and mental health

Brief Intro:

The MINT Lab is extending an invitation to potential volunteers who are interested in actively contributing to a ground-breaking research endeavor. This study revolves around a compelling theme: the comparative assessment of how Forest Therapy and indoor simulated nature environments impact human physical and mental health.

Curious about the profound connections between nature and overall wellbeing? The project offers a unique opportunity for individuals to engage in two distinctive sessions. One session involves immersing oneself in the serene ambiance of a forest, while the other occurs within a simulated indoor nature environment. These sessions provide critical insights into how different settings influence physiological and mental states.

Volunteers can rest assured that their participation will remain confidential, and they have the autonomy to withdraw from the study at any point without obligation.

By joining this research initiative at the MINT Lab, volunteers are poised to be at the forefront of scientific inquiry, unraveling the intricate relationships between natural surroundings and human health. Your contribution will significantly advance our understanding of the ways in which various environments impact our overall physical and mental wellness.

Please contact yawei.wei@ubc.ca if you are interested.

Note: We prioritize the safety and well-being of our participants. The event will be held in-person, and we will strictly adhere to UBC’s safety guidelines and protocols.