This webinar from Forest Professionals British Columbia (FPBC) explores the benefits of forest therapy, a practice rooted in the immersive experience of natural environments to promote mental and physical well-being.
Forests as Natural Healers — Healing with Nature and Conserving Ecosystems defines the principles and practices of forest therapy and discusses why it is gaining traction as a vital component of holistic health care, supported by emerging scientific evidence.
The webinar also looks at the global movement advocating for the integration of forests into public health initiatives, highlighting significant international efforts and success stories, as well as ongoing research and current projects at UBC. The latter includes studies on the therapeutic engagement of the five senses in nature, innovative designs for forest therapy bases and trails, and the application of forest therapy in hospital settings to aid patient recovery and well-being.
Presenter(s):
Dr. Guangyu Wang, associate dean and associate professor in the Faculty of Forestry at the UBC.
With a wealth of expertise in national park management, recreation, and ecotourism development, Dr. Wang has made significant contributions to the field in the US, Canada, and China. As director of the Multidisciplinary Institute of Natural Therapy (MINT) at UBC and director of the National Park Research Centre, Dr. Wang leads ground-breaking research initiatives and project management, having successfully overseen research projects worth $4 million over the past decade.
