Celebrate Earth Day by attending this special health and wellness virtual lecture. Learn about nature’s health benefits, including the increasingly popular wellness practice of forest bathing, and beautiful places in Wisconsin to connect with nature.

Have you ever wondered why you feel so wonderful after digging in the garden, fishing a stream, soaking in the sun, watching the clouds drift by, hiking or just going for a long walk? Kate Bast, Certified Nature and Forest Therapy Guide (ANFT), discusses forest bathing and the recent research on the importance of nature connection as a pillar for a healthy life. The event will be informational and experiential, with a short, guided sensory opening.

Also, discover some beautiful locations you can visit to bond with nature. Missy VanLanduyt, Recreation Partnership Section Chief for the Wisconsin State Park System, will show you what our wonderful state parks have to offer - from favorite places and hidden gems, to outdoor recreation opportunities. We’ll take a trip around the state and explore remote beaches, wooded campgrounds, serene nature trails, and picturesque vistas.

Kate Bast, Speaker
Kate Bast, Certified Nature and Forest Therapy Guide and founder of Shinrin-yoku Madison, has lived in Madison for 25 years with her husband, two children and clingy Labradoodle. Until she found her path to Nature as a healing practice, she worked in the editorial publishing industry for 25 years, including as editor for Whole Health Project, and of BRAVA and Wisconsin Trails magazines, among others. With her family she loves to explore the state, embrace an outdoor lifestyle year round, travel, and especially, hang out with tree friends and connect people with Shinrin-yoku. She collaborates often with Moira Farrell of Hike and Heal Wellness to offer retreats.

Missy VanLanduyt, Speaker
Missy VanLanduyt is the Recreation Partnership Section Chief for the Wisconsin State Park System. Missy has lived in the Madison area for 20 years and grew up in northern Wisconsin on a dairy farm. She lives here with her husband and two young daughters. Missy has been with the DNR for nearly 10 years, all within the parks program. She enjoys spending time outdoors with her family hiking, biking, swimming, kayaking, and camping.