ANFT-certified guides Laura Allen and Courtney Crim were recently recognized as one of the San Antonio Light award recipients – a local award that identifies folks who are shedding light on the San Antonio Community.
Trinity University professors Laura Allen and Courtney Crim, both passionate about nature, came up with a creative solution to help their stressed-out students. When students were struggling with high stress levels due to the demands of university life, the professors developed a unique course called “The Natural Environment & Well-Being.” This semester-long class teaches undergraduates about the health benefits of spending time in nature.
The course delves into a variety of subjects, encompassing the Japanese tradition of forest bathing, or shinrin-yoku, as well as examining disparities in access to green spaces within the United States. One of the most captivating facets of this course lies in its unique opportunity for students to earn academic credit by immersing themselves in the natural world. Through a practical, hands-on approach, the curriculum includes field excursions to nearby natural havens such as Brackenridge Park and Woodlawn Lake. Here, students can relax, detach from their digital devices, and partake in activities like forest bathing and tea ceremonies.
Professors Allen and Crim created an innovative way to encourage students to prioritize their well-being by incorporating nature into their academic journey. This course not only enhances students’ appreciation for the environment but also provides them with a tangible incentive to de-stress in the great outdoors.
The course has witnessed an increase in popularity since its introduction in 2021. Recently, there has been an approximately 70-student waiting list. Initially, the majority of enrollees were students majoring in education and environmental studies, but the class has since started attracting students with diverse academic backgrounds, including business, engineering, and biology majors.
Professor Crim recently shared a note of gratitude with the trainers of their cohort in the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy.
“We came to you 4 years ago explaining how we wanted to create this course and sharing our desire to include forest bathing as a cornerstone of that work. We have learned so much in these 4 years and are so grateful for the mentorship you continue to provide along the journey. We know this work is ever-evolving and there is so much work to still do. We also know that as our learning and understanding develop, we will continue to grow as well. We have learned and accomplished so much on this 4-year journey. Preparing ourselves as guides, developing curriculum to honor and weave together theory, research, and practice, fighting the very real struggle to gain support, and then successfully getting through the hoops associated with the approval of any new course has made the road often difficult and, in the end, we are better for it. So, while this article doesn’t represent a finish line, it does symbolize a very welcome milestone. We see this as such a positive endorsement that will allow our work to not only continue but also to expand.
Many people have taken risks and put a lot of faith in our vision. You were one of the earliest as you helped us begin our forest bathing journey! We know not everyone will fully appreciate the work we are doing or understand why we have continued to push forward, but we know you will – which is why we wanted to share our milestone with you. Trinity is publishing an article in our fall magazine (that goes to faculty, staff, and alumni) which will share more information about the course and Laura has an upcoming podcast interview with a national higher education outlet. We will share these as they are released.”
The ANFT is grateful to have been a part of the four-year journey during which Dr. Allen and Dr. Crim embarked on creating a course that prominently features forest bathing as a core element. We hope you will join us in congratulating them on the significant milestone of being recognized in the wider San Antonio community for sharing the healing power of nature therapy with students in their higher education community.
Special thanks to Mason McLerran of Trinity University, for the video seen in this post.