Good Grief: Nature Walking through Grief and Loss

“You don’t have to walk alone.”

If you’re experiencing grief or loss, you’re invited on these gently paced, guided Nature Walks to witness nature’s everlasting cycles, abundant forms of life, and inspiring beauty. Research has shown that spending time immersed in Nature can reduce stress and improve moods. We will stop every now and then to use sensory awareness techniques borrowed from Shin-rin Yoku (Japanese for “forest bathing) to attune to the sights, sounds, aromas, colors, textures, and movements of the landscape.
*Whether you’ve lost a loved one, are going through an illness or other life transition, or are mourning plans and dreams that didn’t work out the way you hoped, you are welcome on these walks. Meet at the visitor center and we will travel together to the refuge!

**This program is not a support group. At certain points, participants may, if they wish, speak briefly about themselves and/or their discoveries during the walk, but no one will be required to do so. Our companionship will derive from quietly sharing the peace and enjoyment of the natural world.

Leader: Mary Jacobsen, Refuge Volunteer, Retired Social Worker, and Experienced Shin-rin Yoku Leader

“There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature—the assurance that dawn comes after night and spring after winter.” Rachel Carson

“In every walk with Nature, one receives far more than he seeks.” John Muir