Welcome to our brand-new blog feature where we shine a spotlight on the dedicated and passionate individuals who are unlocking the healing power of the natural world – ANFT Certified Nature Therapy Guides. Whether you’re a seasoned guide, or just beginning to explore the profound effects of Nature Therapy, we hope these conversations with Certified Guides will be a wellspring of inspiration and knowledge.
Today, we have the privilege of sitting down with Linda Lombardo, an ANFT Certified Nature Therapy Guide and founder of Wild Heart Nature Connection, to learn a little about her journey with Nature Therapy and life coaching.
Tell us how you first got involved with Nature Therapy.
“I was in transition from my corporate job as a manager of management and leadership development to full time independent facilitator and life coach. A friend mentioned that she’d heard about Forest Therapy and it sounded like something that I’d love. The timing was right and I jumped right into a training in the Berkshires with Amos. Eventually, I let go of the facilitation work and focused solely on my Forest Therapy and life coaching.”
How long have you been guiding?
“It’s been 6 years since I began training and it’ll be 6 years in December since my certification as a Forest Therapy Guide. I was in cohort 13.”
What is your first memory of guiding a walk?
“I led a walk for a group of Whole Foods employees. Most of them were in their 20’s and 30’s and many of them came to the US with parents who wanted a better life for their children. They were amazed that our location – a beautiful arboretum on Long Island NY, was a place they could visit anytime and walk around freely enjoying nature. One young man just hugged a tree and I could see how happy he was! Others told stories of their time in nature before coming to the U.S.”
What was your 200th walk like?
“Well, of course I let everyone know that it was my 200th walk! I received lots of congratulations from the forest bathers, and then, it was just like any other walk. The pandemic stopped everything so I was excited to finally be able to lead walks again and reach that milestone.”
What’s your personal philosophy about our connection with the more-than-human world?
We are Nature. Having separated ourselves so long ago, something deep inside us still remembers that this is our home. By connecting people with the more-than-human world, Nature becomes personal again, and when something is personal, we care about it and want to protect it.
What would you tell someone who is thinking about becoming a Certified Nature Therapy Guide?
“No matter how you eventually use the practice, it is life changing. So, whether you do it for yourself, plan to add it to an existing practice, or start a new business, know that it’s transformational. I’m so glad I listened to my friend and followed through with the training and certification.”
As we continue to navigate a fast-paced and technology-driven world, Linda’s story reminds us to slow down, embrace nature’s gifts, and rediscover our deep-rooted connection with the more-than-human world.
Thanks for reading!
- If you’d like to learn how to begin your own journey toward certification as a Nature Therapy Guide, we invite you to explore our core Guide Training and consider joining us for a free, online training walkthrough call.