Webinar - Eastern Region Association of Forest & Nature Schools

Webinar: Reframing the Meaning of Community in Changing Times

We know the importance of community to our individual and collective health and wellbeing. Connecting with our loved ones and friends is linked to an increase in “feel good” hormones like oxytocin and serotonin, helping us feel a sense of calm and belonging. In times of rapid change, and particularly with calls for social distancing, and in some cases isolation, connecting with others in the ways we’re used to may not be possible. 

But what if we broadened the meaning of community to include more than just other humans? What if we included the natural world too? After all, science has shown that time outdoors also increases “feel good” hormones and decreases stress. This webinar is an invitation to reframe the notion of social distancing and isolation as, instead, an opportunity for more-than-human community building to connect more deeply with the natural world. Whether you live in urban, suburban, or rural contexts, we will provide ideas for getting to know our natural neighbors to enrich our sense of community through these changing times.

Watch the recording here (email registration required and video beings at 25 minutes in): https://register.gotowebinar.com/recording/5623522994758944013