Forest & Nature Therapy walks with Kelly Hutchison, ANFT Certified Forest Therapy Guide.
Shinrin-Yoku (Forest Bathing) on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada
(Nanaimo, Parksville, Qualicum Beach, Courtenay-Comox)
All images are copyright protected by Dave Hutchison Photography. For image use requests please contact Dave through his website.
Shinrin-Yoku (Forest Bathing) on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada
(Nanaimo, Parksville, Qualicum Beach, Courtenay-Comox)
All images are copyright protected by Dave Hutchison Photography. For image use requests please contact Dave through his website.
Why Walk with a Certified Forest Therapy Guide?
While anyone can enjoy a walk in nature, choosing to experience forest bathing with a trained guide offers unique benefits—like attending a yoga or meditation class with an experienced instructor. I am a certified guide through the Association of Nature & Forest Therapy Guides and Programs (ANFT), completing my training in 2018 in Kenwood, California, the birthplace of ANFT, followed by a six-month practicum.
As a certified guide with the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy (ANFT), I create safe, welcoming, and deeply intentional experiences.
While anyone can enjoy a walk in nature, choosing to experience forest bathing with a trained guide offers unique benefits—like attending a yoga or meditation class with an experienced instructor. I am a certified guide through the Association of Nature & Forest Therapy Guides and Programs (ANFT), completing my training in 2018 in Kenwood, California, the birthplace of ANFT, followed by a six-month practicum.
As a certified guide with the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy (ANFT), I create safe, welcoming, and deeply intentional experiences.
- Walks are 2.5 to 3 hours and one to two kilometres or less.
- We move slowly, making this practice accessible to all ages and fitness levels.
- A thoughtfully designed sequence that helps quiet the mind.
- Gentle sensory invitations to connect through sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste.
- Personalized walks based on trail, time of year and group energy.
- Space to explore your own connection to self and nature.
- A closing tea ceremony with locally foraged tea and a healthy snack.
What to Expect on a Forest Therapy Walk
A Slow and Gentle Journey: Walks move slowly over an easy, welcoming landscape, typically covering no more than one to two kilometres in length, over two to three hours.
Guided Invitations: As your guide, I will offer a series of gentle invitations—simple suggestions designed to open your senses, deepen your presence and help you connect with the forest in your own personal way. There is no right or wrong way to experience the practice—it is entirely yours to shape.
Connection and Mindfulness: Forest therapy encourages you to slow down and immerse yourself fully in the beauty around you, fostering a deep connection with yourself, the forest and the life it holds.
A Practice Rooted in Accessibility and Inclusion: Forest therapy is for everyone. Its unhurried pace and intentional simplicity make it a practice that welcomes people of all fitness levels, ages and abilities. Whether you are seeking restoration, peace, or simply time to pause and breathe, forest therapy offers a nurturing space for all.
A Personal and Sacred Experience: Each walk is unique because your connection with nature and the forest will always be deeply personal. The trees, the air and the sounds of the forest speak to each of us differently, offering their healing in ways that resonate with the heart and soul. As many people explore this connection, they experience moments of stillness and joy—rediscovering the wonder of simply being.
Closing with Community: Every forest therapy walk concludes with a heartfelt sharing of tea brewed from local plants and healthy snacks. This simple ritual reminds us of the importance of community and the joy of connection, strengthening the bond between participants and the natural world.
Safety and Care: Your safety and comfort are a priority. I hold a 20-hour Remote First Aid and CPR Level C certification through the Red Cross. Allowing you to relax and enjoy the experience, knowing that logistics, safety and guidance are fully supported.
What to Wear: To make the most of your forest experience, please dress comfortably and prepare for the weather. In summer, bring a hat and sunscreen, and consider a light jacket—forested areas can stay cool even on warm days. Closed-toe shoes are important for your comfort and safety, and a water bottle is also recommended. During colder or wet months, layer up with a warm coat, scarf, gloves, waterproof gear, and sturdy footwear to keep you comfortable and dry. Being well-prepared helps you relax and enjoy the healing pace of the forest.
Book a Walk: I offer guided Forest Therapy experiences for individuals, couples, families and private groups. Whether you're seeking peace, creative inspiration, or simply a deeper connection to nature, I would be honoured to walk with you!
Together with my husband, Dave Hutchison (of Dave Hutchison Photography), we offer immersive forest therapy walks and photo tours in some of Vancouver Island’s most pristine coastal rainforests. Whether you are a nature lover, a photographer, or simply seeking a moment of peace, we would love to share this experience with you. Please reach out to explore a personalized experience tailored to your group.
A Slow and Gentle Journey: Walks move slowly over an easy, welcoming landscape, typically covering no more than one to two kilometres in length, over two to three hours.
Guided Invitations: As your guide, I will offer a series of gentle invitations—simple suggestions designed to open your senses, deepen your presence and help you connect with the forest in your own personal way. There is no right or wrong way to experience the practice—it is entirely yours to shape.
Connection and Mindfulness: Forest therapy encourages you to slow down and immerse yourself fully in the beauty around you, fostering a deep connection with yourself, the forest and the life it holds.
A Practice Rooted in Accessibility and Inclusion: Forest therapy is for everyone. Its unhurried pace and intentional simplicity make it a practice that welcomes people of all fitness levels, ages and abilities. Whether you are seeking restoration, peace, or simply time to pause and breathe, forest therapy offers a nurturing space for all.
A Personal and Sacred Experience: Each walk is unique because your connection with nature and the forest will always be deeply personal. The trees, the air and the sounds of the forest speak to each of us differently, offering their healing in ways that resonate with the heart and soul. As many people explore this connection, they experience moments of stillness and joy—rediscovering the wonder of simply being.
Closing with Community: Every forest therapy walk concludes with a heartfelt sharing of tea brewed from local plants and healthy snacks. This simple ritual reminds us of the importance of community and the joy of connection, strengthening the bond between participants and the natural world.
Safety and Care: Your safety and comfort are a priority. I hold a 20-hour Remote First Aid and CPR Level C certification through the Red Cross. Allowing you to relax and enjoy the experience, knowing that logistics, safety and guidance are fully supported.
What to Wear: To make the most of your forest experience, please dress comfortably and prepare for the weather. In summer, bring a hat and sunscreen, and consider a light jacket—forested areas can stay cool even on warm days. Closed-toe shoes are important for your comfort and safety, and a water bottle is also recommended. During colder or wet months, layer up with a warm coat, scarf, gloves, waterproof gear, and sturdy footwear to keep you comfortable and dry. Being well-prepared helps you relax and enjoy the healing pace of the forest.
Book a Walk: I offer guided Forest Therapy experiences for individuals, couples, families and private groups. Whether you're seeking peace, creative inspiration, or simply a deeper connection to nature, I would be honoured to walk with you!
Together with my husband, Dave Hutchison (of Dave Hutchison Photography), we offer immersive forest therapy walks and photo tours in some of Vancouver Island’s most pristine coastal rainforests. Whether you are a nature lover, a photographer, or simply seeking a moment of peace, we would love to share this experience with you. Please reach out to explore a personalized experience tailored to your group.
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Wander the woods and find yourself along the way...Come walk with me.
"Yes, trees are the foundation of forests, but a forest is much more than what you see...Underground there is this other world, a world of infinite biological pathways that connect trees and allow them to communicate and allow the forest to behave as though it's a single organism. It might remind you of a sort of intelligence." `Suzanne Simard, forest ecologist, University of British Columbia. from Forest Bathing Retreat, by Hannah Fries.
"The richness I achieve comes from Nature, the source of my inspiration." `Claude Monet
I respectfully acknowledge that Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands are the traditional and unceded
territories of the Coast Salish, Nuu-chah-nulth, and Kwakwaka’wakw Peoples.
I am deeply grateful to the Qualicum, Snaw-naw-as, and Snuneymuxw Nations, on whose lands I walk, guide, and learn.
It is an honour to live, work, and gather here.
territories of the Coast Salish, Nuu-chah-nulth, and Kwakwaka’wakw Peoples.
I am deeply grateful to the Qualicum, Snaw-naw-as, and Snuneymuxw Nations, on whose lands I walk, guide, and learn.
It is an honour to live, work, and gather here.
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Please note: Forest Therapy is a non-clinical nature-based wellness service, not a substitute for mental health treatment.
All photographs are the sole property of Kelly Hutchison and/or Dave Hutchison Photography (where noted) and are held under copyright. The images and contents of this website may not be copied, collected, or used for personal or professional gain without express written permission from Salish Sea Nature Connections, www.salishseaforesttherapy.ca
Copyright ©2026
Copyright ©2026