Grounded: A Nature Walk Series - Walk #4

Join us for the second event in this FREE summer series connecting you with nature in Ottawa. Explore, learn and create with us!
About this Event

Event Description: In this session, participants will create a sensory care package to encourage connection to the natural world, self care and mental health support. Using grounding strategies related to the senses and to common local plants. This exploration of the senses may include the bitter taste of dandelion greens, the smell of pine needles, or the softness of cattail seeds can invite us to refocus on physical sensations and encourage the nervous system into a more relaxed state in the present moment.

In addition, participants will create leaf rubbings to remember the plants and personal written messages to reconnect with the experience of being grounded, supported, and relaxed in the natural world.

This space aims to be strongly inclusive of youth who identify as queer, BIPOC, neurodivergent, and/or living with a disability.

No artistic experience needed.

Meeting Location: Strathcona Park (parking lot)

Time: 6-8 PM

Facilitators

Sardonyx is a queer, non binary drag artist born with a thirst for social and environmental justice, accessibility and community building. In this spirit, they host a variety of family friendly and sober friendly drag events including leading queer hikes where Sardonyx shares their ecological knowledge and encourages land stewardship.

Bonita Eloise Ford (she/her) is an author, educator, and mentor who helps people respond to eco/climate breakdown. Her book “Embers of Hope: Embracing Life in an Age of Ecological Destruction and Climate Chaos” was listed in the “Top 20+ best all-time permaculture books by women,” and her new book, “Climate Care: 7 Ways to Honor Eco Emotions” is available for pre-order now. Bonita has facilitated groups around the world for over 23 years and launched Climate Mental Health Network’s program for youth climate leaders. Based in Perth, Canada, which is traditional unceded Omàmiwinini (Algonquin) territory, Bonita loves swimming in the river, eating wild foods, and talking to the plants.