A program called ecotherapy takes survivors of destructive wildfires on a forest journey to naturally heal their trauma.
On a recent Saturday morning, after one of the area's wettest winters on record, Butte Creek in rural Northern California was flowing. Plenty of greenery was in bloom nearby, and the golden poppies were plentiful. It seemed the land, recently transferred back to the Mechoopda Maidu tribe, was healing itself after being scorched by a major wildfire four years ago.
The practice consists of a handful of 10 to 15-minute guided meditations called invitations. People can choose to participate or pass. "It was just kind of a love note to the space about not feeling lost anymore and how much time has passed and how different the space looks, which means how different I look and how different I am and how I just don't feel lost anymore," Osborne said.
The soothing and calming effects also improve the body's parasympathetic nervous system, which is a grouping of nerves throughout the body that impacts how humans are able to rest and digest. They help us relax after going through stressful or scary events. She described her forest therapy sessions as profoundly freeing and has even become certified to guide walks.
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