Green Leaves Forest Therapy

22/03/2024

Given my role as a psychologist in my standard Monday to Friday role, I've spent the last 3 days in Brisbane attending the Australian Association of Psychologists conference. It was an absolute pleasure to hear fellow psychologist Kristy Howard speak today about about the importance of nature connectedness for the improvement and maintenance of good mental health.

17/03/2024

We had a few little Red-Necked Wallabies with us, and a very shy echidna on todays walk. This little fella was well disguised amongst a thicket of trees.

Always a pleasure to see the local wildlife along our walks!

11/03/2024

You never know what, or who, awaits you on a Forest Therapy walk.

Because our walks are designed to be quiet and unintrusive, we often share wonderful moments like this one with the local wildlife.

17/12/2023

With thanks to all that joined us on walks in 2023, we are now in holiday mode!

We would like to wish everyone a happy festive season and will see you in the New Year!

10/12/2023

Ever wondered how animals cope with those hot days?

Well it turns out Echidna blow snot bubbles and find cool patches to do belly flops!

Snot just a pretty face. 😛

While other animals sweat or pant to stay cool under the Aussie sun, echidnas have other ideas.

Earlier this year, scientists discovered echidnas blow snot bubbles and perform belly flops.

The snot bubbles burst and wet the tip of their nose. This cools a pool of blood just under their skin at the top of their snout.

When that’s not hitting the spot, they’ll perform belly flops on cool surfaces.

Seen an echidna in the wild? Download the Echidna CSI app, which we developed with The University of Adelaide. You can use it to record your sighting and contribute to valuable research: https://www.adelaide.edu.au/environment/research/citizen-science/echidna-csi/echidna-csi-mobile-app

📷 | Taronga Zoo Sydney
🗞 | ABC News

01/09/2023

It's Save the Koala month for September across the world. 🐨

Koalas are one of Australia’s most iconic and beloved animals, but they face threats from habitat loss, climate change, disease, and human activity, contributing to population declines. There are less than 60,000 Koalas left in the wild and are classified as endangered animals, with the threat of extinction within 30 years at the current rates.

For 30 ideas in 30 days, visit the Australian Koala Foundation to help save the Koala from extinction.
👉https://www.savethekoala.com/how-to-help/save-the-koala-month/

24/08/2023

Today is Wear It Purple Day! this year's theme is "Write your story", as decided by the Youth Action Council of Wear It Purple. This year's theme is about placing emphasis on the importance of personal expression and individuality for rainbow youth.
In a world where social media, the media, and our education system often create pressure to conform to norms, broken structures, and certain standards, the theme hopes to encourage young people to embrace their unique perspectives and share their stories with others.

Green Leaves is all about supporting the mental health and well-being of those around us, and the LGBTQIA+ youth are one of the marginalised groups in our society - let's take this opportunity to lift them up and emphasise their voice!

23/08/2023

Are you wearing purple this Friday? This year's theme is "Write your story", is about placing emphasis on the importance of personal expression and individuality for rainbow youth. You can show your support and generate a conversation just by wearing purple on Friday, and asking others to do the same!

Watch this space for our photos of Wear It Purple Day in support of LGBTQIA+ youth this Friday!

12/08/2023

International Youth Day celebrates the youth of our world, and 2023 focuses on Green Skills For Youth: Towards A Sustainable World. The UN pledges to focus on environmentally regenerative Green Skills of technologies and processes, knowledge, values, and attitudes.

Green Leaves Forest Therapy is committed to providing a better future for our young people. Our Forest Therapy walks promote positive attitudes, connection, knowledge, and valuing our natural world around us. The ethos lived by is Eco-Centric, recognizing humans as just one of the many species that call Earth home.

To learn more about how Green Leaves Forest Therapy supports nature connection as a core value, visit the website here 👇
https://www.greenleavestherapy.org

30/07/2023

It's National Tree Day! 🌳 If you didn't get to plant a new tree today, how did you connect with nature? 🍃

Trees and forests are a crucial part of our world for many reasons, but Green Leaves Forest Therapy likes to look primarily at the mental and emotional benefits of nature.

Did you know that regular immersion in forests and other green spaces results in;
🌱Stress Reduction
🌱 Reduced Depression symptoms
🌱 Fewer Post-Traumatic Stress symptoms
🌱 Fewer dementia symptoms
🌱 Improved attention, including for ADHD folk!
🌱 Improved memory
🌱 Improved productivity
🌱 Improved Self-Esteem
🌱 Improved overall Quality of Life
🌱 Greater creativity

Interested in how your mental and emotional health could benefit from nature? Come join our next Forest Therapy walk!

Book here 👉 https://www.greenleavestherapy.org/public-walks



Photo courtesy of the Woodlands & Wetlands Trust of the ACT & Photographer Mark Jekabsons

20/07/2023

As winter progresses, the wattles are a sure sign that Spring is on its way in Ngunnawal Land.

Despite the frosty cold of the Canberra mornings, the wattles have been warming the soul with their warm hues, delicate scents, and promise of warmer weather.

02/07/2023

It's NAIDOC Week!

National NAIDOC Week, the first week of July, is an Australia-wide celebration and recognition of the indigenous people's achievements, culture, and history. The Australians First Nations people are the oldest continuous culture on the planet, and for those of us who do not identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people, it is the perfect opportunity to learn more.

Green Leaves does not schedule walks this week to encourage people to instead seek out indigenous-run events in their local area. Learn from the people themselves, and honour their survival, their struggles, and their triumphs.