Donna Mansbart

A little about me, I have been in the cosmetology industry for 40 years and never felt like I've gone to work a day in my life! What a blessing. All my time spent behind the chair I heard so many stories and I told many myself about time in forest. Besides making people feel good about themselves, I listen to their stories and realized how much joy it brought them to share those treasured moments. Residing in Seminole, Florida it gets very hot in the summer so in the past 7 years I was granted the opportunity to travel our beautiful country during the summer and by doing so a little flame inside of me ignited. I was leaving Glacier National Park for the second time when all of a sudden this overpowering emotion rolled through my body and the trees called out to me..... with a tear in my eyes and an ache in my heart I promised them I would be back, from that moment on I started on my quest.

I always enjoyed nature and being outdoors seeing the world through the lens of my camera. My clients enjoyed my pictures so much I designed a website just for them to follow me on my journeys. I brought nature to them, I would ask them to share their own memories of time spent in nature with me as well. A common thread among all is that nature brought us peace, happiness, solitude, and  awareness. These are just the tip of the iceberg!  I noticed people spoke about their time in nature with great joy and vigor. As I transition into my next phase of life's passion, forest bathing is the perfect fit. I told the trees I would find something that would keep me in the woods with them and share it with others. Blue Spruce cohort with Association of Nature and Forest Therapy (ANFT) taught  me the way of the guide. As a certified forest therapy guide I now understand what that overwhelming emotion was. It was unconditional love for our planet and mother nature. I always loved nature but now I am in love with it and nurture my relationship with it daily. As a certified guide I invite you to come on this journey with me.

Keywords: Guided Forest Therapy Walks