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Wild Tending: Nature and Forest Therapy

August 16, 2025

On Land Retreats, The Natural World

Program Date & Time: August 16th  |  1:30 pm – 4:00 pm

Connect with the natural world in a respectful and reciprocal way while using your senses to engage with and experience the richness, magic and complex beauty that lies within. Wild Tending is a fundamental principle of forest therapy and is an act of deep appreciation for all the natural world offer us.

Inspired by the Japanese practice Shinrin-Yoku (forest bathing) the process follows a sequence of guided invitations that provide structure, while allowing participants the opportunity to observe and explore a space using all their senses. Wild Tending promotes healing and wellness through immersing oneself in the calming and restorative atmosphere of forests and other natural environments.

Participants will leave with a renewed sense of wonder and appreciation for the beauty and abundance of the natural world and their place within it.

Extend Your Experience:

There will also be a Mindful Birding program happening in the morning before this one. You are welcome to register for this program if you would like to have a full day on the land!

Consider staying overnight to enjoy the sacred land of DMC for a bit longer!

Retreat Faculty

Laurie Fonken, Ph.D.

Laurie Fonken, Ph.D. Educator and Counselor. 25 years as a professional counselor and educator in the field of health and well-being and is a certified guide through the Association for Nature and Forest Therapy (ANFT).

Program Details

Dates: August 16, 2025

Tuition: Prices
  • $60.00 – Does NOT Include Lunch
  • $75.00 – DOES Include Lunch
Faculty:

Laurie Fonken, Ph.D.

View Visitor Information +

Check in Instructions:

All participants must check in at our Guest Services Cabin. Check-in takes place from 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm on your program start date.
(After hours guests will have a packet next to the door).

This program will end at 4:00 pm. You are welcome to register for Mindful Birding: Sounds of Spring to have a full day on the land. That program begins at 9:30 am.

Register Now

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    Red Feather Lakes, CO 80545

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