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Take time to reduce your stress, relax and experience pleasure while on a guided leisurely walk in the forest. This is time to nurture yourself, to relax, engage your senses, and bathe in the pleasures of your surroundings.

This will be a slow and quiet walk through the forest along limestone paths. You will be invited by your guide to engage with the forest and offered opportunities to share what you noticed.

Please dress comfortably and appropriately for walking, sitting on the ground, and moving through plants. You may bring a blanket/mat/pillow to sit on. Most of the walk will be under the canopy of mature trees, but depending on your sun sensitivity you may wish to have sunscreen and sunglasses or a brimmed hat. There may be mosquitoes and other biting insects, so you may choose to have insect repellant, netting, or other protection. There is poison ivy in this area, not on, but along the trail. If you are sensitive to poison ivy, and are not familiar with what it looks like, let me know so I can point it out to you. Bring water and anything else you need for your comfort like a jacket, hat, or walking stick.

Phones and cameras are best left in your car. We want you to let go of responsibilities during your Forest Therapy walk and immerse yourself in the experience without distraction.

Please complete the Forest Therapy Participant Agreement & Release and hand it to Michelle Hickey or Jodi Trendler when you arrive for the walk. To host a walk we need a minimum of 4 people and a maximum of 10.

Michelle Hickey will be your guide and Jodi Trendler will be assisting. Michelle and Jodi have completed Forest Therapy Guide Training led by Amos Clifford and Maria Buitenhaus of the Association of Nature & Forest Therapy at The Morton Arboretum and are in the process of earning their guide certification.

While we are Forest Therapy Candidates working toward our certified Guide status, the walks we guide will be offered for free. The Resiliency Institute is a nonprofit organization with 501c3 status and appreciates donations to continue offering their unique programming and community service. Donations made in person at the walk are best to avoid processing fees, but you can also donate online by clicking the DONATE button on the right sidebar of this page.

Enjoy a WGN news video of our training experience that speaks to the benefits of Forest Therapy.