Workshops
Learn about local ecosystems and increase your connection to nature!
Forest Bathing at Swan Lake with Agnes
Join us for a guided forest bathing walk at the Nature Sanctuary!
What is forest bathing?
Shinrin-Yoku is the Japanese practice of forest bathing, of taking in the forest through our senses - through our sense of hearing, sight, touch, taste, and smell.
More than a walk in the woods, forest bathing is an opportunity to slow down, focus on our senses and re-connect with nature. Being outdoors and connecting with nature offers us wellness and health benefits that include increased immune function, enhanced cardiovascular and respiratory health, stress relief, and more.
Find out more here [URL embedded].
Nature and Forest theory is inspired by Shinrin-Yoku. This guided nature therapy walk invites guests to tune in their senses, connect with nature, and quiet the mind.
More about this guided walk…
We will meet at the Nature House where your guide, Agnes, will lead guests on a slow-paced walk covering less than 1 kilometer along Swan Lake's relatively smooth trails with minimal elevation gain. Along the way Agnes will encourage guests, through nature-based invitations, to take time to tune into our senses and connect with nature.
To ensure you’re comfortable during our 2-hour guided walk, please plan to dress for seasonal weather. Since we will be walking slowly and creating very little body heat, please bring an extra layer. It may also be helpful to bring extra items in a backpack such as mitts, hat, and water.
As our walk wraps up, we will share a cup tea and a light snack in appreciation to Swan Lake and our time with Nature.
Cost: $20
Dates & Times (Registration Links Embedded):
About your facilitator, Agnes K.
Agnes has enjoyed playing, being, and learning about nature and the woods from a young age. From the woods to the ocean, Agnes’ curiosity of the beauty and calmness of nature reminds her of the connection we all have with the wildness around us. Being able to share this love and peace of nature with others is the inspiration for being a forest bathing guide.
In the spring of 2025, Agnes successfully completed her certification as a Nature and Forest Therapy Guide through the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy [URL embedded], graduating from the Chickadee cohort.
Her safety training includes basic first aid training and a twenty-hour remote wilderness first aid through the Canadian Red Cross.
Embracing the Wild: Native Plant Workshops
Capital region residents are invited to attend an introductory workshop about gardening with drought-resistant native plants.
Please visit this workshop's dedicated page for more information.
