An Invitation into the
Heart
of the Wild
The Nature of Forest Bathing
What might it feel like to be still, fully present and open? What if, in that quiet, you also tuned in to your own heart? Let this be the beginning of the practice of pausing in nature.
An Invitation to Connect
Forest bathing—also known as forest therapy— offers a slow, guided heart-centered experience in nature. Participants are taken through a series of invitations that allow for pause to engage their senses and access the present moment. Often, this simple act leads to a quiet return to oneself, a reconnection with nature, and a sense of belonging.
Why It Matters
A growing body of research shows that time in nature supports our physical, emotional and mental well-being. Benefits may include:
Reduced stress, anxiety, and depression
Improved mood, sleep, and self-esteem
Enhanced creativity and focus
Boosted immune function and energy
Strengthened social connection, gratitude, and generosity
More specifically, guided forest bathing walks have been shown to reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness and increase a sense of community.
A Path to Reciprocity
As our connection with the natural world deepens, we begin to walk differently—more slowly, more respectfully. We start to notice not just beauty, but history. We remember the land’s stories, its caretakers, and our responsibility to protect it.
This practice becomes a path to reciprocity—one that teaches us how to be more caring stewards of our generous Earth.
Whether you're looking to de-stress, reconnect, or simply slow down, you’re invited.
Public Walks & Events
Experience the restorative benefits of community forest bathing. These guided walks take place in diverse natural settings and are designed to help you slow down, reduce stress, and reconnect with yourself and the land. Join as often as you'd like—whether it's a one-time visit or you make it a regular practice. Check the calendar for monthly walks, seasonal gatherings, and special events for children and families.
Your Guide
“My connection to nature feels deeply etched in my heart. A knowing in my bones that I am part of all that is on Earth. I bow with deep reverence to all the beings of the natural world. I bring them the gift of my presence and attention. I belong in their circle, sitting quietly among them, bearing witness, listening to their whispers, waiting for their slow mysteries to be revealed. I am rooted. Not for my sake alone, but for the sake of all. I’ve heard the call to invite others to remember their own connections….”
Cathy McCauley is a certified nature and forest therapy guide through the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Guides & Programs (ANFT). Her journey to becoming a guide started well before she could read or write, when she was picking green beans in her backyard, tasting forbidden raspberries from the neighbor’s garden and watching glorious Door County sunsets melt into Lake Michigan.
As a nature and forest therapy guide and group facilitator, Cathy creates space in nature for individuals to make personal discoveries. She acknowledges that she cannot know what others need—that is between each person and their connection to themselves, others, the earth and spirit. She trusts the wisdom that, “The forest is the therapist; the guide opens the door,” and feels honored to offer forest bathing walks for all those who join her.
Cathy currently leads children’s groups as a nature educator and also serves as president of the Ela Area Public Library Board of Trustees in Lake Zurich. In the past, she has facilitated groups as a community organizer, workshop leader, and nonprofit board staff member. Cathy is certified in CPR and Wilderness First Aid and carries practice insurance. She holds a BA in journalism from Columbia College Chicago and previously worked in holistic health for more than 10 years, offering therapeutic bodywork and a variety of healing modalities. She is a married partner and mom breaking generational and societal patterns, an installation artist, and native plant and vegetable gardener. Reach Cathy at info@birdsongnatureco.com.
