Join the Deschutes Land Trust and Mindy Lockhart of Rooted Presence for a slow, gentle forest bathing walk at Paulina Creek Preserve. The walk will begin with a guided deepening into each of the senses. Then you’ll be led through a series of invitations that offer the opportunity for deeper relaxation and connection with ourselves and the living world. We will come together for optional sharing and close the experience with wildcrafted tea. Registration is required and opens 1 month prior to the event.

Forest bathing is based on the Japanese practice of Shinrin-Yoku, which simply means to take in the atmosphere of the forest through our senses. It is a practice of spending time in forested areas for the purpose of enhancing health, wellness, and happiness and remembering our connection to nature and each other. Decades of studies have discovered a wide range of health benefits associated with this practice, including stress relief, better sleep, lowered blood pressure and inflammation, and improved immunity.

• Outing Details + Route

  Hike Rating: This is an easy ~1-2 mile walk on dirt and gravel roads.

  Route: This hike will start at the Paulina Creek Preserve parking area and follow dirt and gravel roads. Terrain will be uneven at times.

  Elevation gain/loss: There is very little elevation gain/loss on this hike.

• What to Bring

  Snacks/lunch, water, something to sit on that is easy to carry (yoga mat, towel, sand chair), journal/pen (if desired), and closed toe shoes. Dress for the weather.

• About the Property

  The Deschutes Land Trust acquired and protected the 1,099 acre Paulina Creek Preserve in 2022. With ponderosa and lodgepole pine forests, wet and dry meadows, and 3.7 miles of Paulina Creek, the Preserve helps mitigate the impacts of climate change, provides habitat for a wide range of wildlife (from frogs and fish to songbirds and bats), and will soon help connect the local community to the outdoors.

• Accessibility

  The Land Trust is working to make our Walks + Hikes as accessible as possible. Please let us know at least one week in advance if there is something we can do or provide to support you in participating in this outing to the fullest and we will accommodate as possible.