Forest Therapy for students
INFTA’s President, Susan Joachim, introduces Forest Therapy and the world’s first, campus-based Forest Therapy trail at Deakin University. The new Forest Therapy trail at the eco-friendly and nicely landscaped Waurn Ponds campus near Geelong, Victoria, offers the possibility for Forest Therapy sessions right on campus for students and staff. Enjoy the video below which is copyrighted and courtesy of Deakin University. https://infta.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/FT_Waurn_Ponds_Deakin_University_640x480.mp4
World’s first campus-based Forest Therapy trail open
The successful collaboration between INFTA’s experts and staff from Deakin University – the No. 1 university when it comes to educational experience in Victoria – bore fruit: the world’s first campus-based Forest Therapy trail, certified and accredited by INFTA, opened with a set of standardized Forest Therapy sessions led by INFTA’s President, Susan Joachim, on Monday, 15 April 2024. The new Forest Therapy trail at the eco-friendly and beautifully landscaped Waurn Ponds campus near Geelong, Victoria, offers the possibility for Forest Therapy sessions right on campus for students and staff. The first pilot study, led by Associate Professor Melissa O’Shea from the School of Psychology within the Faculty of Health, has measured to which degree students’ stress and anxiety levels were reduced by participating in a Forest Therapy session. The data collection during 10 Forest Therapy sessions, conducted successfully by INFTA-Certified and Accredited Forest Therapy Guides, was completed in May with results expected to be published later this year.
Forest Therapy for international students in Victoria
It is with great pleasure to learn that INFTA has been awarded a Study Melbourne Inclusion Program grant by the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions in Victoria to conduct Forest Therapy sessions for hundreds of international students. INFTA appreciates the support of the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne where these sessions will be conducted in August 2024. The aim of the proposed project is to alleviate stress prevalent among international students and offer them an opportunity to connect with each other, develop an appreciation for the environment and become more nature-connected.
Another Forest Therapy Guide Training
Another introductory Forest Therapy Guide training workshop has been conducted successfully at the pristine location of the Pallotti College in the Yarra Valley outside Melbourne. Participants from Queensland, South Australia and Victoria enjoyed their first learning steps as part of the six-months supervised and mentored practicum utilizing our state-of-art INFTA Learning Management System. The brilliant weather helped greatly to prepare the new batch of trainees – this time round predominantly male participants – for their first guided Forest Therapy session, held free for the Public on Saturday, 9 March 2024. Wishing all Forest Therapy Guide trainees a successful completion of their practicum choosing their own, suitable Forest Therapy trail close to where they live.
Forest Therapy at the American College of Lifestyle Medicine
Prof. Dr. Dieter Kotte, INFTA’s Secretary & International Strategic Advisor, conducted a guest lecture for the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM). His presentation “Implementing Forest Therapy at the ACLM” was addressed to members of the Nature as Medicine Subcommittee and outlined the importance and steps to integrate Forest Therapy as an evidence-based Public Health practice as the 7th pillar of Lifestyle Medicine. The presentation was well received and further steps of collaboration between ACLM and INFTA are under consideration.
Top 5 forest bathing spots in Australia
Leave the daily routine and stress behind and consider taking time out with “forest bathing”. The current top 5 destinations for recreational “forest bathing” and wellbeing surrounded by forest air and immersing in the solitude of nature have been summarized in a recent “Well Traveller” article. Most sought after are destinations where individual Forest Therapy sessions are offered by INFTA-Certified Forest Therapy Guides. Enjoy the article by clicking this link.
Podcast – The real healing happens outside
Invited by Coaching Outdoors, INFTA’s President, Susan Joachim, and INFTA’s Accredited Forest Therapy Guide, disucssed the opportunities of coaching and counselling in outdoor spaces during a recent podcast. Titled “The real healing happens outside” Susan explained and stressed the many health benefits when extending coaching clients from indoor settings to outdoors. Enjoy this podcast by clicking this link.
Geelong Nature Festival 2023
INFTA participated actively in the Geelong Nature Festival 2023, held at the Geelong Botanic Gardens on 8 October 2023. Hundreds of interested people from Geelong and surroundings strolled by to experience the many flowers and blossoming trees. INFTA’s President, Susan Joachim, and INFTA’s Accredited Forest Therapy Guide, Karyn Folwell, offered a free Forest Therapy taster session. Opening the session which led to the lush fern tree section in midst the Geelong Botanic Gardens, INFTA’s Secretary, Dr. Dieter Kotte, Honorary Associate Professor at the Faculty of Health, Deakin University, summarized the many health benefits of Forest Therapy and, especially, phytoncides to interested participants and passers-by.
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.