Join Columbia Slough Watershed Council and facilitators Ryan Gilpin of Nidus Consulting, and Julie Jansen of Earthbody Presence for a unique experience combining bird watching and forest bathing! This event is free and open to those 16 and older.
Forest bathing, also called forest therapy, is inspired by the Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku. It is a guided experience that allows us to slow down while connecting with nature, community, and with ourselves. Julie will start our time together with two forest bathing invitations that will help us step out of the fast pace of daily life and connect us with our senses.
Then we will move our focus more specifically to the plants and life around us. Slowing down can help us to patiently and deeply observe any visible birds. Ryan will help participants listen for and learn to identify bird songs. If the birds are quiet and hiding, Columbia Children’s Arboretum has hundreds of trees to explore.
Our time together will end with tea in the forest! Julie sustainably harvests plants and leaves from many places around Portland to create hand-forged tea. We will sip tea together as we share about our experiences from the day.
Getting There: We’ll meet at the east entrance of the Columbia Children’s Arboretum. Follow directions to 974 NE Meadow Ln - please note this is a private address, but the closest location to map to. Free street parking is available. Taking public transportation? Bus #6 makes stops nearby.
What to bring: Pack along water and come prepared for the weather as the event will happen rain or shine. Light snacks, tea at the end, and binoculars will be available.
Accessibility: Porta potties are available in the park. Our group will be walking along mostly flat paved and flat dirt paths.
This event has a limited capacity. If you register and find later that you are unable to attend, please reach out to cancel your spot. If the event is full, we will create a waitlist.
Questions or want to join the waitlist? Reach out to Amanda Gallegos, at amanda.gallegos@columbiaslough.org.
Julie Jansen guides individuals and groups in meditation, movement, and land-based practices. Through her gentle, trauma-informed guidance Julie empowers individuals to bring presence-based practices into their lives. She is a certified Forest Therapy Guide and co-founder of Earthbody Presence. Currently, Julie teaches meditation and movement at Portland State University along with facilitating retreats, forest bathing, and other offerings with Earthbody Presence.
Ryan Gilpin is the Principal Consultant at Nidus Consulting in Portland, Oregon. Ryan spends most of his days looking at, thinking about, and writing about trees. When not working as a consulting arborist, Ryan is often looking for birds. For the past 4 years, Ryan has been leading bird and tree walks as a volunteer for the Columbia Slough Watershed Council.