2024/4/18
On April 18th, 2024, a guided Forest Therapy walk organized by the Multidisciplinary Institute of Natural Therapy (MINT) at the University of British Columbia unfolded amidst the serene beauty of Pacific Spirit Regional Park in Vancouver. The event, which filled to capacity within a week of its announcement, reflected the growing interest and recognition of Forest Therapy’s transformative power. Over 30 participants eagerly joined the walk.
The walk was co-led by Jackie Kuang from the American Association of Nature and Forest Therapy (ANFT) and Dr. Mei He. Dr. He’s collaboration represents a joint effort between MINT and the Jiangxi Academy of Forestry. Participants came from countries including China, the United States, Canada, Indonesia, and Ethiopia. Under the professional guidance of internationally certified forest therapy guides, participants engaged in a series of invitations such as breathwork, meditation, relaxation exercises, gratitude practices, and sharing, to open their five senses and establish deep connections with nature.
After the forest therapy session, an international academic exchange with the theme “What Does the Heart Intelligence Have to Do with Nature and Forest Therapy?” was conducted. Dr. Guangyu Wang, head of MINT, emphasized the role of forest therapy in healing the mind and body of humans, protecting and utilizing forest resources, and building the relationship between humans and nature, as well as the importance of internationalization in forest therapy research. Jackie Kuang provided an in-depth analysis of the relationship between heart intelligence and nature and forest therapy, and elaborated on the soul-based “Relational Forest Therapy.”
This international academic exchange provided a platform for international peers in the field of forest therapy to communicate, not only promoting the international development of forest therapy but also laying a solid foundation for international cooperation in scientific research in the field of forest therapy. Through academic exchanges conducted in collaboration with international institutions, MINT shared the latest research findings and experiences, effectively driving the international development of the forest therapy field.
