How might a nature experience be purpose-built for healing?   The Bloedel Reserve is a botanical garden with a very unusual design choice - no signage! There are no plant identification labels and (almost) no navigation signage. It’s a space not meant for learning about nature, it’s meant for learning about yourself. At the Blodel, the point is to slow down, focus on the moment, experience your body within nature, and to heal.    Recently, a new and incredibly successful program - Strolls for Well-Being - has made this design intention come alive in new ways through a site specific program inspired by forest bathing. In the episode you’ll hear about the purpose, intention and impact from the program’s manager Robin Gaphni, who also leads one of the program cohorts focused on grief.    From Ed Moydell, Blodel’s Executive Director you’ll hear about the unique purpose, history and planning of their 150 acres in the 1970s by psychology, environmental and landscape experts who designed The Bloedel Reserve as a nature-based environment for human healing.    Links to Guests The Bloedel Reserve Ed Moydell LinkedIn Reach Robin Gaphni: rgaphni AT bloedelreserve.org to discuss developing a Strolls for Well-Being Program at your institution   Links to resources discussed in episode Prentiss and Virginia Bloedel  Charles Lewis - ‘father of horticultural therapy’ Video: History of Strolls for Well Being Program Webpage: Strolls for Well Being Program at Bloedel Reserve Medical Study on Forest Bathing (Shinrin Yoku) and Phytoncides Article: Canadian Physicians can now Prescribe Nature to Patients What are phytoncides? Rachel and Stephen Kaplan’s pioneering Attention Restoration Theory Environmental psychologist, Jay Appleton - published his Prospect Refuge Theory in 1975 Morikami Japanese Garden, Florida - Strolls For Well-Being program Sally Schauman, Prof Emeritus, Landscape Architecture University of Washington  Strolls at Home Program from Bloedel Reserve - use in your backyard or local park Book: Nature Rx   Connect with us Have questions or topics you’d like us to explore on the podcast? Or a recommendation of an expert to interview? Please drop us a line at info@digin-ux.com with your idea!   Need help with a user-centered project, evaluation or experience design strategy?  Head over to digin-ux.com for info on human and community-centered strategies for your mission-driven institution,  Or connect with us at info@digin-ux.com  about your project or collaboration you’ve got in mind