Forest Bathing with Birds

The Oak Spring Garden Foundation is an operating foundation dedicated to sharing the gifts and ideas of Rachel "Bunny" Mellon.  Its mission is to support and inspire fresh thinking and bold action on the history and future of plants, including the art and culture of plants, gardens and landscapes.

Oak Spring Garden Foundation

Join OSGF's Biodiversity Management Team (BMT) and the Audubon Society of Northern Virginia (ASNV) to practice therapeutic mindful birding.

Rokeby Farm - The Granary

O﻿ak Spring Garden Foundation and the Audubon Society of Northern Virginia are pleased to offer a two part therapeutic workshop on mindful birding. The morning workshop will dive deep in the practice of <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/514029043707" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Ornitherapy (mindful birding)</a> and the afternoon session will focus on Forest Bathing with Birds. Participants are welcome to attend both sessions or one respectively. Please note: If you intend to sign up for both workshops, you must purchase your tickets through the <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/514029043707" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Ornitherapy workshop </a>event. If you only plan to attend Forest Bathing, you may purchase your tickets through this event. Overview: The lush and thoughtfully stewarded landscapes and gardens at Oak Spring Garden provide the perfect backdrop to reaping the wellness benefits that nature provides us. The practice of Forest Bathing falls in line with the mission of OSFG, which promotes the importance of plants for human wellbeing. With origins inspired by the Japanese practice of Shinrin Yoku, or Forest Bathing or Forest Therapy, harnesses the health and restorative benefits the natural world holds for us. This experience will be a bit different than a traditional outdoor guided walk, not focusing on sharing naturalist knowledge or identification, but instead allowing the forest and birds to intentionally guide us into to slowing our pace. Birds go hand-in-hand with Oak Spring Garden’s habitats and with a framework of guided &quot;invitations&quot; centering around them, we will deepen our connections to nature by engaging the senses, noticing, and awakening our experience of reciprocity with the natural world. A tea ceremony will be included to culminate the experience as we celebrate the brightening spring landscapes and OSGF. Forest Bathing with Birds can be calming, contemplative, mindful, revealing, soothing, awe inspiring, and more. Any skill-level of experience in nature is welcomed, and this is a great way to herald in the spring season and boost your wellbeing. Following the workshop a selection of books from Holly Merker will be available for purchase at a discounted price. Accessibility Information: This program has been developed for most all mobility levels. We will take a slow-paced walk on wide and flat unpaved trails, where we might sit and sometimes stand, for short periods of time as we observe birds. Easy parking and indoor restrooms are on site. What to Bring: For this program, binoculars are not necessary, though some will be available to borrow from the instructor. Please bring sun protection (suggestions: hat, sunscreen, sunglasses) and water to hydrate. For Forest Bathing a yoga mat that is easy to carry or small camping stool is encourage. For Ornitherapy you will be given a journal and your choice of pencil or pen, but if you have a favored pen/pencil for writing feel free to bring that along! Consider dressing for the elements and conditions: sturdy closed-toe shoes, layers, wind/rain jacket, etc. Participants are also invited to arrive at 12:30 PM with your own lunch for an informal group picnic before the start of Forest Bathing. What will be Provided: Coffee, tea, and light refreshments will be provided to participants. Participants are also invited to bring their own lunch for an informal group picnic following the conclusion of Ornitherapy. This event will take place on the Rokeby Farm portion of OSGF. The event will not include a tour of the formal garden, or main residence. Workshop Schedule (subject to change)Morning Session: Ornitherapy: A Practice of Mindful Birding <ul><li>10:00 AM | Introduction to Ornitherapy</li><li>10:30 AM | Walk</li><li>12:30 PM | Lunch</li></ul>Afternoon Session: Forest Bathing with Birds<ul><li>1﻿:00 PM | Introduction to Forest Bathing </li><li>1:30 PM | Walk</li><li>3:00 PM | Tea Ceremony</li><li>3:30 PM | Adjourn</li></ul>A﻿bout the Instructor: Holly Merker is a professional birding guide, writer, and educator who has a background in art therapy, but today uses birds and nature towards the same goals delivering nature-based wellness programs for people of all ages. In her work as an environmental educator and professional birding guide, Holly shares her love of birds guiding for the American Birding Association, National Audubon, Hillstar Nature, and many other organizations. She is also a Certified Nature and Forest Therapy Guide (ANFT) and founded The Mindful Birding Network. Holly was the recipient of the 2022 Conservation and Education Award given by the American Birding Association for her work in both those areas of birding. Holly is an author of two books which guide readers into explorations optimizing the wellness benefits research shows that birds provide us, including the award-winning book Ornitherapy: For Your Mind, Body, and Soul (along with Richard Crossley and Sophie Crossley, Crossley Books, 2021) and Die Kraft Der Vogel Beobachtung – “The Power of Birdwatching”, Freya verlag, 2023), coauthored with Dr. Angelika Nelson. In her free time, Holly spends every possible moment practicing Ornitherapy, which she credits in helping defeat breast cancer, restoring her health mentally and physically.About OSGF: The Oak Spring Garden Foundation (OSGF) is a philanthropic foundation based at the former primary estate of the late Paul and Rachel Mellon, who were major philanthropists in the U.S. of the arts, humanities, and sciences in the second half of the twentieth century. OSGF is located in the northern Virginia Piedmont and Blue Ridge Mountains region (ca. one-hour drive from Washington, D.C.). Led by Sir Peter Crane, the Foundation’s inaugural President, OSGF provides short courses and supports residencies for artists and scholars. Its celebrated Library comprises rare books, manuscripts and works of art relating to horticulture, landscape design, botany and natural history. It is becoming a new center of stimulation of all things botanical, from fundamental research in plant evolution and conservation, to horticultural and plant conservation practice, to the history and art of plants, gardens and landscapes.Availability: Both Forest Bathing and Ornitherapy will be capped at 15 participants. Registrations will be accepted on a rolling basis through Eventbrite until full.

Forest Bathing with Birds

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Forest Bathing with Birds

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