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Forest Therapy with Jon Aull at Butte Creek Ecological Preserve

Forest therapy is a simple, guided outdoor experience designed to support health and wellness through immersion in natural environments. Forest Therapy has proven physical and mental health benefits. A forest therapy walk is a gentle, open ended sensory practice that tends to adapt organically to the needs of the participant. Walks can be fun, playful, reflective, profound, simple, funny, or provide opportunities for processing grief. As a practice, the experience tends to resist conventional description.

During each walk, a certified forest therapy guide offers invitations to deepen sensory experience and facilitate interaction with nature. If you've ever been a child, jumped in a pile of leaves, looked under rocks for cool bugs, or noticed a distinctive tree, you can do forest therapy. There's no wrong way, and lots of "right" ways to do it. Nothing is mandatory, and no particular outcome is expected. Everything is welcome. Immersions typically end with tea made from wild-harvested forest herbs and snacks. Come try it out and see for yourself!

The Butte Creek Ecological Preserve is recovering from the 2018 Camp Fire and is a great example of the recovery of a fire adapted landscape. It was recently transferred to the Mechoopda tribe for management as a preserve.

Deets:

3.1 miles up Honey Run Road, no address. Address across the street is 1211

  • If you live on the ridge meet at the terry ashe center at 8:00 and leave by 8:15

  • Drive to Butte Creek Ecological Preserve Directions

  • Hit the trail around 9:00 or 9:30 am

  • Hike out for an hour and a half, eat food – please let us know if you have food allergies

  • Hike back for an hour and a half

  • Pack up and load into vehicles

  • If we get back to the parking lot around 12:30pm, or sooner, then we should be back to home base around 1:30 pm

  • We will drop off the Chico Crew before heading back up to the TARC

    • If you want to drive yourself, totally cool, but I will have a 10 passenger van available and a second one if we need it

Items to bring:

  • Hiking backpack, 40L water bottle, sunscreen, neck gaiter,

  • HIKING BOOTS, LONG PANTS AND SHIRTS, AND BUG REPELLENT ARE HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Later Event: August 31
YAC Meeting