Join us for a transformative spring journey into belonging, self-discovery, and renewal with nature! In this mini retreat, we will gather in a beautiful food forest garden to reconnect with ourselves, our senses, and the rhythms of nature.
Our guides will lead you through a series of activities to nourish your sense of belonging and interconnectedness with the natural world and community, within the setting of a lush (and delicious!) food forest. We will weave in mindful and bodyful ways to connect with nature and ourselves through individual and group practices. The experience will include reflective and supportive group talking circles, forest bathing with individual and group activities to reawaken our senses and connection with nature, practices for creative expression with nature, and regeneratively harvested tea and snacks from the forest.
All of the activities are adaptable for each person to participate in the way that is best for them. There is no background, experience, or skill level needed. You are welcome and encouraged to join us to find belonging with us in a thriving spring forest garden, with community and nature.
Our mini retreat will include:
- Slowing down and releasing stress with forest bathing, a mindful practice of taking in the forest through our senses
- Soaking in the warmth of support in open-hearted talking circles
- Realigning with your true nature with an individual reflective nature connection practice
- Harmonizing with nature through art, music, or writing
- Tasting the fruits of the forest with hyperlocal and fresh snacks and tea
Feel welcomed by your forest belonging guides, Roxana Segovia-Beltran and Ilana Rubin:
- Roxana Segovia-Beltran proudly serves as the garden manager at Howard County Community College. For the past 15 years, she has immersed herself in the art of gardening, seamlessly blending her passions and expertise as a permaculturist, conservationist, educator, entrepreneur, community connector, and mother to advocate for our planet's protection. Additionally, Roxana is a certified permaculture designer with the REED center. With 18 years of instructional experience, she remains steadfast in her commitment to advancing education and environmental conservation. Throughout her career, Roxana has shared her knowledge across various subjects, including gardening, Spanish, childbirth, breastfeeding education, and permaculture.
- Ilana Rubin (she/her/hers) is the founder of Kindred Nature and is a forest bathing guide trained and certified by the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Guides and Programs. Also a forest gardener, permaculture design enthusiast, naturalist, and forager, Ilana is passionate about inclusively restoring health and relationships with people and nature. Her approach is shaped by her experiences with nature connection, environmental policy, coalition management, disability services, education, anthropology, spirituality, and resilience. Ilana has previously guided events for organizations including the US Forest Service, the GW Office of Integrative Medicine and Health, and the Potomac Riverkeeper Network.
Explore a food forest garden:
Our journey of Belonging in the Forest will take place at Forested, a 10-acre demonstration food forest garden in Bowie, Maryland where food literally grows on trees! The garden is beautifully lush and tended with regenerative practices.
If there’s a forecast of light rain, we will go ahead with the event as planned. If there is a forecast of very heavy rain or hazardous weather, then we will reschedule the event to be on Sunday, May 26 instead.
