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Join Conserving Carolina for a free lecture entitled, “Forest Therapy. Shinrin-yoku. Forest Bathing. The Science and Experience of the medicine of being in the forest,” presented by Dr. Mattie Decker, on Saturday, January 18, at 10:30 a.m. at the Anne Elizabeth Suratt Nature Center at Walnut Creek Preserve.

 

Forest Therapy, also known as “Shinrin-yoku” and translated as “forest bathing,” refers to the practice of spending time in forested areas for the purpose of enhancing health, wellness, and happiness. In this presentation, Dr. Decker will share the science behind these practices as well as the beneficial effects that spending time in nature has on the wellbeing of the human body, mind, and spirit. 

 

After the presentation, participants are invited to join Mattie for an introductory nature and forest therapy guided walk on the Preserve to learn hands on. If you plan on participating in the forest experience after the presentation, be sure to dress appropriately. 

 

To get to Walnut Creek Preserve’s Nature Center from the Tryon and Columbus area, take Hwy 108 E and turn left on Hwy 9 toward Lake Lure.  Follow Hwy 9 N for 5 miles and turn right onto McGuinn Road (at the Exxon Station). Go 1 mile to the intersection with Big Level Road; turn left, go 0.2 miles and take the first right onto Aden Green Road. Follow Aden Green for 0.4 mile and turn left on Wood Thrush Lane and into Walnut Creek Preserve. Take the first left onto Conservatory Lane, which takes you to the parking area for the nature center; 179 Conservatory Lane, Mill Spring, NC.

 

The lecture is part of Conserving Carolina’s monthly Speaker Series at Walnut Creek Preserve.      

For more information or directions from another location, contact Pam Torlina at Conserving Carolina at 828-697-5777, ext. 300 or email pam@conservingcarolina.org.  

The next program at Walnut Creek Preserve will be held on February 15, when Justin Query and Brian Rogers, of the North Carolina Forest Service, present “You, me, and the WUI. A look at the Wildland Urban Interface.”

For more information about Walnut Creek Preserve, visit www.walnutcreekpreserve.com.  Please note, Walnut Creek Preserve is private property and guests are only allowed on the property by invitation (a planned event or scheduled group).  

Conserving Carolina, your local land trust, is dedicated to protecting and stewarding land and water resources vital to our natural heritage and quality of life and to fostering appreciation and understanding of the natural world. For more info visit, www.conservingcarolina.org.

Submitted by Pam Torlina