When was the last time you were in nature and truly slowed down?

​Not walking for exercise, not on your phone, or talking in conversation—but being fully present?

My name is Kelly Hutchison. I’m an author, artist, and certified forest therapy guide.

I’ve spent over 20 years working in health and wellness and have been a nature lover my whole life; it wasn’t until I trained as a forest therapy guide in 2018 that I really understood how powerful nature can be—not just as something beautiful to look at, but as something that deeply supports our well-being.

Now, my work is centred around helping people connect with nature in simple, meaningful ways.
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I do this in two main ways. The first is through an art publishing business I share with my husband. Together, we bring nature into indoor spaces—homes, health and wellness centres, including hospitals and work environments. We do this through our book that celebrates the landscape of the place we call home—Vancouver Island. As well as fine art prints, calendars, and art cards. The other way is through guided forest therapy walks. As a guide, I help people to step out of their busy lives and into a slower, more intentional experience with the natural world.

Forest therapy is inspired by the Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku, or “forest bathing.” And while it may sound simple, there is science-backed research showing that spending two mindful hours a week in nature can lower stress, improve mood, reduce blood pressure, support our immunity and overall health.

Doctors and health care professionals are also realizing these powerful benefits; in Canada, they are now prescribing time in nature to their patients. I am proud to be a part of this new initiative as a member of Nature and Forest Therapy of Canada and PaRx (Parksprescription.ca —Canada’s Nature Prescription).

Beyond the research, I have personally experienced the healing benefits of this practice.

Six years ago, I was in an unhealthy relationship and felt anxious, stuck, and alone. It was through quiet, mindful time in nature—forest therapy—that I began to feel a shift. This practice gave me space to think clearly, to reconnect with myself, and eventually to find the strength to make big changes in my life. It helped me to find joy, peace and clarity during a difficult time. I also began to paint and write again after years of ignoring my heart’s calling.

A few years later, it brought an unexpected gift—meeting my husband in a park while forest bathing.

So when I guide people, it’s not about hiking or covering distance. It’s about slowing down, engaging the senses, and creating space for whatever someone might need—whether that’s rest, clarity, or simply a moment of calm. As Amos Clifford, the founder of the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy, beautifully says, "the guide is not there to speak for the forest. The guide is there to create space for the forest to speak."

Last week, I had the wonderful opportunity to guide a mother and daughter on a private walk at Moorecroft Regional Park in Nanoose Bay. Before we began, I learned that they were in the middle of a stressful time in their lives—temporarily living in B&Bs and navigating demanding jobs. 

As our 2.5-hour walk progressed, I could sense the stress beginning to soften and lift. I enjoyed witnessing how engaged they both were with the simple invitations. The sun was out, and the weather was perfect. Just a few days before, the area had strong winds and rain. I was grateful to have been blessed with divine conditions for this walk. At the end of our time together, while sharing nettle tea, both women expressed gratitude for the experience. Closing words included appreciation for the slow walk in the woods and a sense of peace and calm they had not felt in a long time.

​This filled my heart—reminding me why I share this practice, and what happens when you finally slow down in the forest.

We are so proud of our upcoming hardcover book (224 pages) Vancouver Island: The Art of the Landscape. It has been a true labour of love, and we have sacrificed many things to complete it. Last year we sold the house, moved, created a publishing company, wrote the book, tirelessly working with an amazing book designer and editor. Everything within the book was carefully chosen from the front and back cover, its size, paper type and full colour photographs. “Not merely a collection of photographs, this book is a love letter, a tribute, to a place that has given us so much.”

When I was young, I loved to write non-fiction, reading and researching information about far off places, animals and people. My dream was to one day write alongside of a photographer for National Geographic. In my heart I felt that I would one day write a book, I just didn’t know when. Over the years I have studied many things including business (accounting), fine art, holistic nutrition, forest therapy and energy healing (Reiki & ThetaHealing®). I have more books that are eagerly wanting to come through, and believe this book was the catalyst for me. I am so grateful for the opportunity to author a book alongside of my amazing husband Dave Hutchison. It is our hope you love it as much as we do!

“Vancouver Island: The Art of the Landscape is a visual journey and celebration of this beautiful island and its adjacent Gulf Islands, as seen by nature and wildlife photographer Dave Hutchison. A twenty-year photographic journey, it is also a collaboration of two nature lovers, husband and wife, who together shared a vision: to create a pictorial fine art book, filled with beautiful scenic images, which both preserves and honours the landscape in time. The narrative is woven through Dave’s personal experiences, as he shares the stories behind his photos, offers tips on his favourite locations, and delves into the islands’ fascinating history. The book is organized into seven geographical regions for easy reference: Victoria, Sidney & The Saanich Peninsula; Cowichan & Carmanah Valleys, Nanaimo & Parksville; The Southern Gulf Islands; Sooke to Port Renfrew West Coast Corridor; Tofino, Ucluelet, Bamfield & Area; Comox Valley, Campbell River & Area; Northern Vancouver Island & Area. Featuring more than 150 full colour images capturing the islands’ diverse landscapes, flora, fauna, cityscapes and wildlife, this book invites readers to immerse themselves in its beauty.”

UPDATE** It is now January 2026. Our book has been on the BC Bestseller list for over 40 weeks! It is available in all bookstores and on Amazon Prime.

​For as long as I can remember I have had a deep connection and love of nature.  When I was a young girl my favourite place to be was in the woods hanging out with the trees or playing in a nearby creek.  Often I would stay outside until it was so dark that I couldn't see my hand in front of my face.  Nature has always brought me peace and solace, and it was to her that I would retreat when I needed support.  However, as time passed I went away to college, got married, had a son and created my own wellness business.  Like most people I got caught up in the busy day-to-day lifestyle that our culture encourages, and eventually lost part of this connection.  It was still there, and my heart could feel it, I just needed to know how to reignite it.  I had to relearn and remember how magical it felt to just simply be in nature, with no agenda, and nothing to do.  My monkey mind had been so conditioned to “doing” and accomplishing, that I had forgotten that I was a human being,  not a human doer.  Over the years I had studied and practiced holistic nutrition, yoga and meditation and I even taught Reiki and energy healing, thinking this was my answer to well being and wholeness.

​However, it was not until I learned how to forest bathe that my life really began to change.  It is simple, yet very powerful. After regular practice my energy slowly came back and my overall health improved.  Years of anxiety disappeared, I let go of unhealthy relationships, found the partner of my dreams (now husband to be whom I met in the trees), and I began to paint and be creative again after making excuses for twenty years.  I believe that this happened to me because I went back to my nature connection. It didn’t change overnight and required some dedication, however. 

​After my forest therapy training in 2018 with the Association of Nature & Forest Therapy, I returned home to complete a six-month practicum.  This was a part of our requirement to receive the certification and I believe it saved my life.  I began a regular practice of just sitting outside and doing nothing.  We call this a sit spot.  I would return regularly to my sit spot out in front of my house on Salt Spring Island and just be.  Some days my mind raced, and I wondered if it would turn off.  Some days I even cried.  However, as each sit passed, I began to soften and I found myself connecting with my senses instead.  Perhaps listening to the sound of the ocean waves or watching the ducks gather along the shoreline.  Some days it was cold, and my attention would go to the temperature on my skin or the moisture from my breath.  In the warmer months I enjoyed the feeling of the sun on my face or the sound of the hummingbirds diving behind me.  With every sit I experienced more peace and instead of thinking, I would easily drop into my senses.  Time would fly by. This mindful immersion in nature brought me so much calm and healing.  Nature became my therapist and friend.  

​Some of the many benefits that sitting brought to me, was that when my mind was quiet I could hear its inner wisdom and guidance.  I could breathe more deeply, and I felt washed in peace and relaxation.  Sitting in nature brought me joy and inspired my creativity and she encouraged me to keep going and to make healthy changes in my life. 

Now wherever I go in nature, even if I am out for a hike or sharing nature photography with my guy, I always take the time to look for the perfect spot to sit, and enjoy doing nothing. 

I discovered this beautiful poem through the mindfulness teacher Tara Brach.  I feel that it embodies with beautiful words, the importance of slowing down, noticing the little things, and letting life live through us.  Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849) was an important Japanese artist.

"Hokusai says look carefully.
He says pay attention, notice.
He says keep looking, stay curious.
He says there is no end to seeing.
He says look forward to getting old.
He says keep changing,
you just get more who you really are.
He says get stuck, accept it, repeat
yourself as long as it is interesting.
He says keep doing what you love.
He says keep praying.
He says every one of us is a child,
every one of us is ancient
every one of us has a body.
He says every one of us is frightened.
He says every one of us has to find
a way to live with fear.
He says everything is alive --
shells, buildings, people, fish,
mountains, trees, wood is alive.
Water is alive.
Everything has its own life.
Everything lives inside us.
He says live with the world inside you.
He says it doesn’t matter if you draw,
or write books. It doesn’t matter
if you saw wood, or catch fish.
It doesn’t matter if you sit at home
and stare at the ants on your veranda
or the shadows of the trees
and grasses in your garden.
It matters that you care.
It matters that you feel.
It matters that you notice.
It matters that life lives through you.
Contentment is life living through you.
Joy is life living through you.
Satisfaction and strength
is life living through you.
He says don’t be afraid.
Don’t be afraid.
Love, feel, let life take you by the hand.
Let life live through you."
by Roger Keyes