The 2nd International Conference on Forest Therapy (ICFT-2), held from August 9–11, 2025 at the University of British Columbia (UBC), stands out as a landmark event that draws over 300 participants from across the globe. The conference highlighted the growing recognition of forest therapy as a vital tool for public health and well-being, promoting meaningful connections and charting the course for the future of nature-based interventions.
Among the key contributors is Alex Gesse, whose multi-faceted presence enriched the conference. As Keynote speaker, he offered a compelling talk titled “FTHub’s 5 Components of Nature-Based Interventions: A Pathway to Science-Grounded Common Framework”.
Then sunset was found during the Forest Ocean Nature Immersion, that Alex co-led with Chilean Professor and FTHub Forest Therapy Practitioner Rosana Ginocchio and some of the FTHub Summer School students, offering a memorable, hands-on experience of the practice in action, along with Janet MacFarlane.
Alex participated in a special round table discussion called “Nature-based Therapy Practice”, dedicated to the global movement of forest therapy moderated by Guangyu Wang, Associate Dean and Professor at the UBC, one of the FTHub Summer School Vancouver experts delivering training contents. In fact, UBC’s Faculty of Forestry and FTHub share a long-standing collaboration, including the FTHub Summer School and the co-organization of this remarkable event.
Finally, Alex led a Nature-based Interventions workshop at the dreamy Pacific Spirit Regional Park, attended almost entirely by experienced guides, where 99% were already trained by other organizations looking to deepen their practice and expand their knowledge.
The conference serves as a hub of collaboration and networking, with many meaningful connections and conversations and the joy of meeting many friends, both old and new ones. A notable highlight is the Forest Therapy walk led by Alex, Rosana, and Janet, beautifully exemplifying the core principles of the gathering.
The success of ICFT-2, made possible by the wonderful team at UBC MINT, provides not only a platform for sharing knowledge and experiences but also lays essential groundwork for the years ahead. The discussions and collaborations emerging from this event are instrumental in advancing the Vancouver Declaration, a significant outcome guiding the global forest therapy movement forward.
The atmosphere and the enthusiasm of its diverse participants, guided by a genuine commitment to science rather than to dogma or gurus, reveal the profound influence of nature-based practices in advancing human health, psychological resilience, and collective well-being.
Ph: FTHub and courtesy UBC
