The Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship at the University of British Columbia is set to host the International Conference on Forest Therapy from August 8 to 11, bringing together global experts to explore how nature can heal modern health challenges. Dr. Guangyu Wang, a leading UBC researcher in forest therapy and professor in the Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship, explains why 2025 is a turning point for this emerging field, from rising mental health concerns to innovations that make forest therapy accessible—even indoors.
What is forest therapy and why is it especially relevant in 2025?
We’re seeing a sharp rise in mental health challenges like anxiety, depression and burnout, worsened by the pandemic and our screen-heavy lifestyles. Forest therapy, a structured practice rooted in the Japanese tradition of shinrin-yoku (or forest bathing), offers a powerful response.
First introduced in Japan in 1982, shinrin-yoku encourages people to engage all five senses in nature—listening to birdsong, breathing deeply, touching trees and soil, and fostering an emotional connection to the forest. Research shows it can lower stress hormones, reduce blood pressure and improve cognitive function.
Recent research from our MINT Lab (Multidisciplinary Institute of Nature Therapy) showed that just 20 minutes in a forest can dramatically improve memory and focus. Other studies reveal forest therapy rewires the nervous system, slashing stress hormones while supercharging your immune system. When most of us are trapped in concrete jungles, forest therapy offers a powerful antidote.
Why host the International Conference on Forest Therapy in Vancouver? Why now?
Vancouver is a natural fit for this event as we’re literally surrounded by forests. UBC’s Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship and the MINT Lab have decades of expertise in how trees and ecosystems affect human health. With healthcare systems overwhelmed, forest therapy offers a proven alternative that doesn’t require prescriptions or lengthy waits. To move forest therapy from niche to mainstream, we need to bring together the global research community.
What unique perspectives does your research bring to this global conference, particularly in the use of technology for forest therapy?
At MINT Lab, we’re exploring how forest therapy can be brought indoors. We use tools like virtual reality, scent diffusion and negative ion generators to replicate forest environments for clinical, urban or mobility-restricted settings.
This makes forest therapy more inclusive, supporting seniors, individuals with disabilities, and high-stress professionals who may not have easy access to nature. Simulating forest elements—what people see, hear, smell and feel—delivers measurable mental and physical health benefits like lower stress and enhanced focus and creativity. We’re lowering the barrier to nature-based healing while preserving its essence.
How does this conference align with broader public health or environmental challenges?
As cities expand and climate change accelerates, we’re more disconnected from nature than ever. Forest therapy bridges that gap by linking environmental care with human health.
In British Columbia, these challenges are particularly acute. Forest resources are shrinking, climate change is intensifying wildfire risks, and many forest-dependent communities are experiencing economic and healthcare challenges.
Forest therapy offers a sustainable, low-impact alternative. Guided walks and community-led retreats can help communities create new income sources, improve well-being and support local ecosystems.
The conference brings together experts from research, healthcare and policy to explore how forest therapy can support health community resilience and sustainable land use.
How can the public participate and gain benefits?
Members of the public are welcome to attend any part of the conference. Registration is required, and modest fees apply. Registered participants are welcome to a guided forest therapy walk on August 11 at no extra cost. This walk offers a unique chance to experience the calming, restorative power of forest immersion firsthand.
Whether you’re a healthcare professional, educator, student or simply curious about nature-based healing, the conference offers a meaningful opportunity to learn, connect and experience the benefits of forest therapy in practice.
For more information on the conference, please visit their website or contact jiawen.lu@ubc.ca
To arrange interviews with Dr. Guangyu Wang and other researchers, please contact lou.bosshart@ubc.ca
