Photo: Jason Boudreau-Landis
Many of us spend hours each day stuck in our cars in traffic and in front of our screens. What if we chose to do the opposite, disconnecting from technology and spending meaningful time outdoors, connecting with nature?
Nature–Based Therapeutic Services is a collaboration between the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum and the Earl E. Bakken Center for Spirituality & Healing that began more than 30 years ago and makes it easy for people to do just that through specialized programming.
“We know that being in nature invites all the senses in, helps reduce our stress level, enhances our well-being—our brains work better,” says Sarah Palm, program staff member. “Nature is our partner. It can help us feel so good.”
The program offers graduate classes and research via the arboretum and Bakken partnership, including direct community services for people living with eating disorders, Parkinson’s disease and other diagnoses. Additionally, there are adult education classes offered at the arboretum, including:
- May 8 and 29; June 12 and 25: Shinrin-Yoku
- May 14: Mindful Birding
- May 29: Nature Journaling
- June 18: An Immersive Mindfulness Experience: Awaken to Nature
Lynette Kalsnes is a media strategist at the arboretum and is studying to become a master gardener intern. Learn more at arb.umn.edu.
