Last updated on August 15, 2020
McGarry teaches about the practice of Shinrin-Yoku in a course at Plymouth State University focused on the benefits and services of trees and forests. She offered her first Shinrin-Yoku walk in Hokkaido, Japan in July 2019; the practice of Shinrin-Yoku originated in Japan. McGarry has subsequently offered Shinrin-Yoku walks at Sadhana Forest, India; the White Mountains National Forest, as part of an exhibit at the Museum of the White Mountains called, “Walking In The Whites,” and for PSU courses in Langdon Woods, Plymouth, N.H.
Along with Tyler Simonds, her Masters of Science in Environmental Science and Policy graduate student, McGarry led an initiative, for Plymouth State University to become the first campus in New Hampshire to achieve Tree Campus USA designation in 2017 which was part of an interdisciplinary Tourism, Environment, and Sustainable Societies Cluster Project entitled, “Valuing Our Trees and Community Forests.” Shinrin-yoku is certainly one of the many benefits from our forests.
Sounds of the forest, scent of the trees, the sunlight is playing through the leaves.
Cross the threshold, enter mindfulness, become sensory aware for wellness.
Nature therapy- a form of wealth, Eco-therapy improves your health.
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Today, let the forest walk through you,
Take in the aerosols and the view,
Forest bathing, part art and science,
Participate, join the alliance.
Trees give off chemicals that are good, phytoncides as they are understood
Traveling as aerosols, reduce our stress, help us relax, and produce
Refreshing feelings and energy, rejuvenation, vitality,
Clearly this is something we receive, from all plants, a gift, we must believe
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Shinrin-yoku, a life connection
A bridge to nature, our protection.