Gatherings of guides are an important part of the work of ANFT. Often they are organized when a training or immersion team is in the area, and we invited all guides who are in the region at the time to attend. The agenda usually includes: an update on developments in ANFT and forest therapy in general; some council sharing time together; a casual walk in a forest or botanic garden; and a shared meal. On a longer gathering (1 to 3 days) there may be specific workshops offered, including "invitation clinics" given by guides in attendance. These gatherings are nurturing, connective, and informative.
This is an ASL video by Deaf certified ANFT guide, Summer Crider, explaining the details of this retreat, including some video clips of the Aspen Camp location.
On Wednesday, August 28th from 7 - 9 pm Amos and Rosita Arvigo, an ANFT guide and ethnobotanist, will be hosted by Morton Arboretum for a talk and book signing.
Spend an evening with Amos Clifford, founder of the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Guides and Training, and author of Your Guide to Forest Bathing, and Rosita Arvigo, forest therapy guide, herbalist, and author of The Urban Herbalist: Medicinal Plants of American Cities. You'll learn more about how forest therapy supports health and wellness by combining traditional techniques of mindfulness with a unique approach to nature connection. You'll also discover fascinating medicinal plants that grow right outside your door in your local neighborhood, city parks, and empty lots. Books will be available for purchase and there will be opportunities for book signing following the program.book talks.
Click here to Register for the Morton Arboretum event. The fee is $8 for Morton Arboretum members and $10 for non-members. Your fee includes entrance to the arboretum. Let them know at the entrance gate that you are attending the forest therapy event.
Contact Christy at christy@natureandforesttherapy.org for more details.
This gathering will be held at a private residence.
This event is pot luck. Grilled meat or meat substitute and beverages will be provided by our hosts. It is requested that guides bring a salad, side dish, or dessert to share.
Address will be provided upon registration.
Brenda Spitzer is a Certified Forest Therapy Guide, Mentor, and Immersion Workshop Facilitator. She trained and was certified with Cohort 3 in 2015. She has assisted at Forest Therapy Guide Training Workshops in Illinois in 2017 and in Minnesota in 2019. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Art from Northern Illinois University and Certificates in Natural History and Botanical Art and Illustration from The Morton Arboretum. She also holds a Certificate in Sustainable Landscapes from College of DuPage. Brenda introduced the “Nature Rx: Forest Therapy Walk” program at The Morton Arboretum in 2016, and has been guiding forest therapy walks at that location, during all seasons, for the past 3 years. She also guides walks for The Western DuPage Special Recreation Association.
Summer , as a certified Nature and Forest Therapy guide, works in partnership with Nature to provide opportunities to help humans re-connect with the Earth and themselves. Born and raised in the cypress swamp of North Florida, Summer has navigated through various life experiences as a human being who happens to be deaf. After getting their degrees in Expressive Art Therapy and Deaf Cultural Studies, and certified in American Sign Language, Summer taught ASL, Spanish, and Deaf Culture in various high schools and colleges/universities for 15+ years. They also established a media consulting business, making educational films accessible to the sign language community.After they experienced some challenges with severe anxiety, Summer found Mother Nature calling them back home. Summer decided to study Nature and Forest Therapy through the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy and eventually found a new purpose- assisting humans from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and languages to rediscover their connection with the Natural world through the healing practice of forest bathing.
Summer , as a certified Nature and Forest Therapy guide, works in partnership with Nature to provide opportunities to help humans re-connect with the Earth and themselves.
Born and raised in the cypress swamp of North Florida, Summer has navigated through various life experiences as a human being who happens to be deaf. After getting their degrees in Expressive Art Therapy and Deaf Cultural Studies, and certified in American Sign Language, Summer taught ASL, Spanish, and Deaf Culture in various high schools and colleges/universities for 15+ years. They also established a media consulting business, making educational films accessible to the sign language community.
After they experienced some challenges with severe anxiety, Summer found Mother Nature calling them back home. Summer decided to study Nature and Forest Therapy through the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy and eventually found a new purpose- assisting humans from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and languages to rediscover their connection with the Natural world through the healing practice of forest bathing.
Tamberly Kerr - Conway - PhD
Tamberly serves as an ANFT Certified Guide and ANFT Certified Forest Therapy Trail Consultant. Tamberly holds an MS and PhD in Forestry, with a focus upon Human Dimensions in Natural Resources, focusing upon diversity engagement, health and nature connections, forest health/human health relationships, and community empowerment in conservation.
Tahia Devischer - PhD
Tahia is a research and teaching fellow at the University of British Columbia. She holds a PhD in ecosystems science from the University of Oxford, and is a certified forest therapy guide with ANFT. She works at the nexus of urban forests, human well-being and climate resilience.
Tamberly Kerr - Conway - PhD
Tamberly serves as an ANFT Certified Guide and ANFT Certified Forest Therapy Trail Consultant. Tamberly holds an MS and PhD in Forestry, with a focus upon Human Dimensions in Natural Resources, focusing upon diversity engagement, health and nature connections, forest health/human health relationships, and community empowerment in conservation.
Tahia Devischer - PhD
Tahia is a research and teaching fellow at the University of British Columbia. She holds a PhD in ecosystems science from the University of Oxford, and is a certified forest therapy guide with ANFT. She works at the nexus of urban forests, human well-being and climate resilience.
Tamberly Kerr - Conway - PhD
Tamberly serves as an ANFT Certified Guide and ANFT Certified Forest Therapy Trail Consultant. Tamberly holds an MS and PhD in Forestry, with a focus upon Human Dimensions in Natural Resources, focusing upon diversity engagement, health and nature connections, forest health/human health relationships, and community empowerment in conservation.
Tahia Devischer - PhD
Tahia is a research and teaching fellow at the University of British Columbia. She holds a PhD in ecosystems science from the University of Oxford, and is a certified forest therapy guide with ANFT. She works at the nexus of urban forests, human well-being and climate resilience.
Tamberly Kerr - Conway - PhD
Tamberly serves as an ANFT Certified Guide and ANFT Certified Forest Therapy Trail Consultant. Tamberly holds an MS and PhD in Forestry, with a focus upon Human Dimensions in Natural Resources, focusing upon diversity engagement, health and nature connections, forest health/human health relationships, and community empowerment in conservation.
Tahia Devischer - PhD
Tahia is a research and teaching fellow at the University of British Columbia. She holds a PhD in ecosystems science from the University of Oxford, and is a certified forest therapy guide with ANFT. She works at the nexus of urban forests, human well-being and climate resilience.
Our Mission: Support planetary health by nurturing heart-centered relationships between all peoples and the More-Than-Human World of Nature.
