The Forest Therapy Hub trainers and its solid network of students and partners are currently involved in implementing the following projects:
Naturelab (Horizon)
Design, implementation and validation of nature-based therapies
Naturelab (Horizon): Design, implementation and validation of nature-based therapies
(Portugal, Netherlands, Germany, Greece, Peru and the United Kingdom)
Project managers at FTHub:
- Alex Gesse
- Marta Ayats
- Carlo Bifulco
Funding: EUR 6 M (USD 6.5 M)
Tasks:
Design, implementation and validation of tailored nature-based therapeutic programmes to improve the physical and mental health conditions of the participants involved in these programmes, in different geographical locations and health conditions, to establish and validate the methodology, structure, and components for a portfolio of nature-based therapy structured programmes, and to define the nature-based practitioner formal requirements protocol, recruitment, and training to conduct the interventions and supervise their replication.
The project foresees the training of 600 professionals and the implementation of pilot projects on 4,000 people and specific groups. NATURELAB is in the Grant Agreement preparation phase, with a planned start-up date of mid-2023.
FORESTWELL
(Erasmus+)
FORESTWELL (Erasmus+)
(Slovenia, Iceland, Denmark, Ireland, Finland, Portugal)
Project managers at FTHub:
- Alex Gesse
- Marta Ayats
Project partners:
- Visja strokovna sola za gostinstvo in turizem Maribor, Slovenia (Educational Center)
- Framhaldsskólinn í Austur - Skaftafellssýslu
- Iceland (Educational Center)
- European E-learning Institute
- Denmark København
- Marketing Services Irlanda Leitrim Limited
- Mood of Finland, Finland Hyvinkää
Funding: 250.000 EUR
Tasks:
Development of a sustainable teaching module in a forest environment on forest wellness and tourism for providers, learners and entrepreneurs in the tourism and wellness industry to develop the knowledge and skills aimed at capitalising on the latest megatrend known as forest-based well-being, wellness and tourism.
Implementation of Green Prescription
(Spain)
Implementation of Green Prescription
(Spain)
Date: 2017 – present
Project managers at FTHub:
- Alex Gesse
- Marta Ayats
- Rocío Ferraro
- Spanish Guide’s Network
Project Partners:
- DKV
- FTHub
- Europarc
Task:
Consultancy and collaboration for the planning and identification of Forest Bathing trails.
To know more about the project (in Spanish):
Forest Bathing, a health proposal (2017)
Nature Prescription (2020)
Healthy Nature
Forest Therapy Intervention
Roanne Day Hospital
Forest Therapy Intervention at the Roanne Day Hospital
(France)
Project managers at FTHub:
- Marta Ayats
- Alex Gesse
Project partners:
- Franck Bernigaud
Collaborators:
- Roanne Day Hospital
- Jean-Jacques Weyer
Activity:
Six-session Forest Therapy intervention for patients of the Day Hospital in Roanne, formed by a mixed group of adolescent, adult and older adult patients with various pathologies affecting both neurosis and psychosis.
Research on FTHub Method for Nature-Based Interventions for mental health populations: BiBos 6.0
(Navarra, Spain)
Research on FTHub Method for Nature-Based Interventions for mental health populations: BiBos 6.0
(Navarra, Spain)
Project managers at FTHub:
- Alex Gesse
- Marta Ayats
Project Partners:
- Universidad de Navarra
- Gure Sustraiak
- Foresna-Zurgaia
- Basartea
Collaborators:
- FTHub
- USSE
Funding:
- Caja Navarra Foundation
- Government of Navarra
- La Caixa Foundation
Tasks:
Training of 15 social workers, psychologists, researchers and forestry engineers to carry out Nature-Based Interventions with Gure Sustraiak school farm’s residents and personnel.
12 Forest Bathing sessions with 7 groups (5 groups of intellectually disabled people and 2 groups of environmental and social programmes educators) for three months.
Data analysis from Forest Bathing evaluations was done before and after the sessions.
Forest Bathing Guide training for the Chilean Government
Forest Bathing Guide training for the Chilean Government
Date: 2018 – present
Project managers at FTHub:
- Alex Gesse
- Claudio Vásquez
Project Partners:
- CONAF
Tasks:
Forest Bathing Guide training for 60 Park Rangers of Protected Wild Areas of the National Forestry Corporation (CONAF), Government of Chile.
Consultancy and implementation of therapeutic trails in Monti Sibillini National Park
(Italy)
Consultancy and implementation of therapeutic trails in Monti Sibillini National Park
(Italy)
Project managers at FTHub:
- Carlo Bifulco
Project Partners:
- Monti Sibillini National Park
- AIGAE
Tasks:
Identification and mapping of 19 sites for Forest Bathing in Monti Sibillini National Park. Monitoring plan on the satisfaction of the sites and communication plan for the new sites.
To learn more visit (in Italian):
http://www.sibillini.net/attivita/attivita/turismoSostenibile/forestBathing/introduzione/
http://www.sibillini.net/attivita/attivita/turismoSostenibile/forestBathing/documenti/
Green prescription. Nature-Based Intervention and research for victims of domestic violence
(Barcelona, Spain)
Green prescription. Nature-Based Intervention and research for victims of domestic violence
(Barcelona, Spain)
Date: 2020 – present
Project managers at FTHub:
- Alex Gesse
- Marta Ayats
- Claudia Tolosa
Project Partners:
- Barcelona Regional Council
- Sant Pere de Ribes City Council
Tasks:
Implementation of Forest Bathing in the Sant Pere de Ribes “Healthy City” programme, for specific groups and the general population.
More about the project, here (in Spanish).
Feasibility Study of Nature-based Interventions as Public Policy
(Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain)
Feasibility Study of Nature-Based Interventions as Public Policy
(Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain)
Date: 2019 – present
Project managers at FTHub:
- Alex Gesse
- Marta Ayats
- Ibon Sarasola
- Violeta Torán
Project Partners:
- Cristina Enea Foundation
- San Sebastián City Council
- Basque Country University
Tasks:
Feasibility study, consultancy and implementation of 8 Forest Therapy sessions for 3 specific groups of +55, women in foster homes and university professors with burnout syndrome.
Green Prescription. Nature-based Interventions for people with Mental Health disorders
(Basque Country, Spain)
Green Prescription. Nature-based Interventions for people with Mental Health disorders (Basque Country, Spain)
Project managers at FTHub:
- Alex Gesse
- Johanna Maluenda
Project Partners:
- Avifes (Biscay Mental Disorder Association)
- USSE
- Biscay Forestry Association
- Urremendi Rural Development Association
Tasks:
Implementation of Forest Bathing in the Basque Country as a therapeutic practice.
Measurement and analysis of the beneficial effects on physical health and quality of life of people with mental health disorders regarding Emotional Well-being, Physical Well-being, Interpersonal Relationships and Personal Development.
View the project PDF here
Nature prescription. Nature-based interventions for patients with Alzheimer’s: Therapeutic Gardens in Biella, Italy
Nature prescription. Nature-based interventions for patients with Alzheimer’s: Therapeutic Gardens in Biella, Italy
Date: September 2017
Project managers at FTHub:
- Marco Nieri
Project Partners:
- DAIMA - Associazione Italiana Malattia di Alzheimer
- Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Biella
Tasks:
Therapeutic garden design dedicated to Alzheimer's and senile dementia patients, in a specialised structure for care and assistance. Two spaces are also dedicated to horticultural therapy. Special criteria were used to design the paths, vegetation and spaces to make them suitable for this type of user. Bio-ecological materials and different techniques were used to recreate rest areas for the particular benefits of electromagnetic energy of the trees to the human body.
To learn more:
https://www.archibio.it/en/bioenergetic-landscapes/realizations/item/299-villa-boffo-a-bioenergetic-garden-for-alzheimer
http://www.fondazionecrbiella.it/mentelocale
