Another successful training workshop was held at Uniting Venues Elanora, Elanora Heights, New South Wales/Australia, 17-21 March 2021. This five-day intensive workshop marked the start of the six-months training of the next batch of INFTA-Certified Forest Therapy Guides. INFTA projects a demand of several dozen Forest Therapy Guides over the coming three years in New South Wales alone. This upbeat projection is fueled by the current contract INFTA’s Accredited Training Provider, the Institute of Forest Therapy, had signed with the Royal Botanic Garden and Domain Trust (RBGDT) for providing Forest Therapy services to Public, corporate and educational clients. The RBGDT, established in 1980 by act of the New South Wales Parliament, operates, among others:

• Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
• Australian Botanic Garden – Mount Annan
• Blue Mountains Botanic Garden – Mount Tomah.

Due to sudden weather conditions, the Public Forest Therapy walk which forms the practical highlight as part of the workshop at Uniting Venues Elanora, to be held for the local community at Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Garden, had to be cancelled. While all trainees were keen to go ahead with the Public Forest Therapy walk, safety comes first. Better luck next time!