Our forest bathing series was created to introduce and grow awareness of forest bathing and nature connection within the Fernie community. We wanted to create opportunities for people to slow down, step away from the busyness of everyday life, and experience the forest in a more intentional way.
We planned a series of guided walks in different natural areas around Fernie, with each session offering invitations to engage with the forest through the senses, mindfulness, and gentle exploration. A key part of each gathering was creating space for connection—not only with the land, but with one another. We also incorporated a sound bath in the forest and a shared tea ceremony using foraged plants, which became meaningful ways to bring each session to a close.
One of the highlights was seeing how quickly people settled into the experience once they were given permission to slow down and simply notice what was around them. The walks created opportunities for participants to experience familiar places differently and to develop a deeper sense of connection to the land and to their community.
There were some challenges along the way. Finding the right trail locations required some experimentation. We needed places that were accessible, offered a sense of immersion in nature, and worked well for the slow pace and activities of forest bathing. Another challenge was attracting participants to a relatively new concept. Forest bathing is still unfamiliar to many people, so part of the process was simply helping people understand what it is—and, importantly, what it is not. The experience is less about hiking a certain distance or reaching a destination and more about creating time and space to be present in nature.
Through the series, we learned that there is genuine interest in creating more intentional opportunities for nature connection in Fernie. We also learned the value of keeping the experience simple: time in the forest, thoughtful invitations to notice and explore, and opportunities to share food, tea, sound, and conversation can create a meaningful experience without requiring a complicated program.
The project helped build awareness of forest bathing in our community and provided a foundation for continuing to offer nature connection experiences in Fernie.
