International Graduation Ceremony 2023
INFTA proudly held its the International Graduation Ceremony at the pristine location of Pallotti College, Victoria, 16 September 2023. Due to the travel and meeting restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic, the graduation ceremony had to be postponed to this year. INFTA-Certified Forest Therapy Guides from America, Asia, Australia and Europe had graduated during the last few years and were invited to this venue to be presented with their international certificate. The Guest of Honour, A/Prof. Dr. Melissa O’Shea, School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Australia, gave an excellent and timely insight into the therapeutic possibilities of Forest Therapy as an adjunct treatment in the realm of mental health. INFTA’s President, Susan V. Joachim, welcomed the graduates and guests. She thanked all graduates for their contribution and efforts to alleviate lifestyle diseases using Forest Therapy as evidence-based Public Health practice.
Forest Therapy Guide Training in Australia
The Institute of Forest Therapy, INFTA’s Accredited Training Provider in Australia, Asia and the Americas, conducted another successful Forest Therapy Guide training workshop at the pristine location of Pallotti College, Victoria, 13-17 September 2023. As always, the highlight of the training was the three-hour Forest Therapy session – free for the Public – at the serene, forested premises of Pallotti College. Admittedly, stunning spring weather added to the fantastic experience for some 25 participants. If interested to also obtain the internationally recognized qualification as INFTA-Certified and Accredited Forest Guide, please select your preferred training option here.
Forest Therapy in Germany and the EU
Jointly with its European partner organisation, INFTA (Germany), INFTA and its Accredited Training Provider, the Institute of Forest Therapy, have successfully completed another five-day, face-to-face practical training workshop in Europe. This “Fachseminar Klinische Waldtherapie” (Forest Therapy Introduction) has been conducted in May 2023 at the picturesque and historic town of Wernigerode at the Eastern slopes of the Harz Mountains. This area is famous for its dense forests and meandering creeks, offering an ideal location for Forest Therapy Guide training. Supported greatly by the local council and forester, our trainees and lecturers – led by INFTA’s President, Susan Joachim – enjoyed the practical experiences of Forest Therapy. The specific challenge mastered successfully by the trainees was to conduct three-hour Forest Therapy sessions for the Public. All participants enjoyed these free-of-charge Forest Therapy events – even with a bit of rain falling. Participants and Forest Therapy trainees alike were taken aback by the rich nature of the Harz Mountains with a multitude of fauna and flora. Rest-assured the workshop participants from Germany, Austria and Australia all had a great time and … learned a lot.
2023 Ottawa Awards
INFTA’s Advisory Board member, Dr Owen Wiseman, has been announced the winner of the 2023 Ottawa Awards. In Canada, the Ottawa Awards constitute the national capital region’s largest and most anticipated annual award event. Dr Wiseman has been named “Health Educator of the Year” in this prestigious Canadian award. His accomplishments were second to none with regards to bolstering social services by providing regular social media feeds and blogs about the health benefits of nature, natural products and living healthily. He was specifically lauded for “translating” complex medical and physiological findings into a clear layman language – which everyone can readily understand when browsing social media seeking health advice. INFTA congratulates Dr Wiseman to his accomplishments in Canada and beyond.