On Tuesday 29 July Friends of Eurobodalla Regional Botanic Garden (ERBG) hosted a lunch for more than 70 Friends’ members, ERBG staff and staff volunteers. They were joined by Councillor Sharon Winslade and senior Council staff for the opening of Eurobodalla Regional Botanic Garden’s new Wellness Walk.

The Walk was made possible with funding contributed by Foundation for Rural Regional Renewal (FRRR) and Friends of Eurobodalla Regional Botanic Garden (ERBG) and the significant in-kind support of ERBG staff and Garden volunteers. With input from local Aboriginal knowledge, the Walk also includes a Welcome to Country, creation stories, stories of healing and acknowledgement of history.

The Wellness Walk is based on the Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku (forest bathing). This practice, through numerous scientific studies, has been shown to be beneficial to an individual’s physical and mental wellbeing.

There is clear evidence nature connectedness increases:

• Overall mental resilience

• An improved sense of life feeling worthwhile

• Joy and happiness

• Care for others and the community

• Greater resilience

The Garden’s self-guided walk is designed to support individuals from all walks of life. The Walk unlocks nature’s health benefits by providing short, self-guided experiences in nature known to improve physical and mental health, enabling them to thrive.

The Wellness Walk is a uniquely personal experience, taking each user on an inspiring journey through nature. The Walk is specifically designed for our community’s unique Botanic Garden and users can take their time to enjoy rejuvenating moments in nature, refreshing their mood, energy and focus, and forging a stronger connection with place.

Users download an app from a welcome sign at the beginning of the Walk and are presented with a welcome page to the Wellness Walk. The map feature allows the walker to navigate from one station to the next. The Walk’s activities are suitable for both adults and children and the pathway is accessible to visitors with limited mobility and parent with young ones in strollers. Each individual can experience the Walk at their own pace and may choose to return to enjoy the experience.

Eurobodalla Regional Botanic Garden and Friends of ERBG encourage you to visit the Garden and experience this different way of connecting with nature.

Contributed by Gail Stevens