The K.C. Irving Environmental Science Centre and the Acadia Counselling Centre are excited to offer Acadia students an opportunity to engage in mindfulness in nature right on campus! The Woodland Trails on the Acadia Campus are a wonderful space to connect with nature to improve mental health. 

The weekly series is designed and will be led by two students: Sarah Lavallée, Acadia Woodland Trails Community Intern and Janine Annett, Student Mental Health Programmer for the Acadia Counselling Centre. Both Sarah and Janine are third year Acadia students in the Bachelor of Environmental Sustainability Studies and Community Development programs, respectively. 

Sarah says “This year has been particularly challenging to find ways to interact with other students on campus, and I think many students feel a bit disconnected from each other at the moment. Janine and I are hoping that providing an opportunity to meet safely outdoors in a beautiful forested location on campus will help students prioritize their mental health and feel re-connected with the campus community. We are so grateful to have the Woodland Trails on our campus, and we would love for more students to use them as a way to connect to each other and to nature during these often isolating study days!” 

The sessions will take place Saturday afternoons from 4:30-6:00 pm and will include guided walks, nature-based mindfulness activities, and a bonfire in the Harriet Irving Botanical Gardens. Session dates are: March 20, March 27, April 3, and April 10. There is a limit of 10 participants, so don’t delay registering! Follow the link here to register: https://forms.gle/gLjenTatUSkwaWUQ8  (OPEN TO ACADIA STUDENTS ONLY)

Mask-wearing and social distancing will be required at all times. The events will be hosted following all Nova Scotia COVID-19 guidelines.