BIRD-430: Nature Immersion & Mental Health Workshop

What are the concepts of "place blindness" and "species loneliness," and how do they affect your mental wellbeing?

Join this educational walk through the trails of Blair Woods Nature Preserve, explore the site of a slice of Texas history, and learn how to connect (or reconnect) to the land, local plants, birds and wildlife. We'll dive into different senses and look at the psychology and neuroscience behind why intentional focus on elements in nature calms the nervous system, with beneficial effects that extend beyond your time outdoors.

Please wear long pants as sections of trail are still undergoing maintenance and may be slightly overgrown. We will move at a leisurely pace with pauses for discussion, and a portable restroom is available onsite.

Participants must be at least twelve years of age.

For the safety of wildlife and the quality of the experience, pets are not permitted on field trips or bird walks. We appreciate your understanding.

Chi-Wei Chang:
Chi-Wei's journey spans international relations, language teaching, and building localization programs at SaaS companies, with global experience in the US, Japan, The Netherlands, and Ireland. Now back in Austin, she's focusing on fostering human to nature connection and sharing the things that helped her maintain balance through the many moves and constant context switching between countries, cultures, and languages. Chi-Wei is founder of Wind Water Wild and holds certifications in ecotherapy, nature-informed therapy, and wilderness first aid. She enjoys hiking, is a hobbyist landscape photographer, and is always eager to plan a next trip to a cold weather location.

Email Policy
The email used to register for this field trip will be used to communicate any changes or cancellations due to weather or other factors. Please always check your email inbox on the morning of the walk before leaving home in case of last-minute changes. Also check your spam folder if you do not see updates.