A Sense of Place | Forest Bathing Walk at Leopold’s Preserve

Explore the beauty of open meadows, forests or wetland areas at Leopold’s Preserve in Broad Run, VA (just west of the Gainesville/Haymarket area).

Join Kim Strader, Certified Forest Bathing Guide, to explore the sights, sounds and smells of nature at this time of year. Through a series of invitations and prompts, you will make new discoveries as we explore our sense of place by reconnecting or deepening our connection with the natural world in a way that supports overall health and wellness.

Forest Bathing/Forest Therapy walks are inspired by Shinrin-Yoku, a term coined in Japan in the 1980’s, where it is a prominent feature of preventative medicine and healing. Medical and scientific research finds that connecting with nature in this way helps:

Reduce stress

Reduce blood pressure

Lower cortisol levels

Boost the immune system

Improve sleep and mood

Increase energy and creativity

No prior outdoor experience or naturalist training required. Walk is limited to 5 participants ages 13 and older.

Our walk will cover 1 to 3 miles. Boots or shoes with good tread are recommended.

Please bring water to drink and a camp stool, old yoga mat or pad for sitting on the ground (we will have a few available to borrow if you do not have your own).

Current CDC and Virginia Department of Health COVID guidelines will be practiced during this walk.

Twenty percent of the proceeds from this walk are donated to Leopold’s Preserve!

REFUND POLICY: This walk will take place rain or shine but will be cancelled in the event of dangerous weather conditions. Refunds are available if the walk is cancelled by Naturing Way LLC. All other refunds made on a case by case basis and must be requested 5 days prior to registration closing.