The III Global Summit Science, Nature and Health, held online on April 9 and 10, 2025, concluded with remarkable success, featuring revealing talks on health, science, and nature. The summit, co-organized by the Diputació de Barcelona and the Forest Therapy Hub, brought together leading experts and enthusiasts from around the world, and was introduced by Deputy Xesco Gomar, President of the Department of Natural Spaces and Green Infrastructure at the Diputació de Barcelona, and Àlex Gesse, Executive Director of Forest Therapy Hub.
The III Global Summit attracted over 1100 registrants from more than 70 countries, highlighting the growing global interest in the convergence of Innovation, Nature, and Health. The two-day event featured an impressive roster of 73 speakers from 22 countries across 18 modules, offering an exploration of the practical application of scientific knowledge in nature-based health solutions.
Attendees benefited from simultaneous translation in Spanish and English, and also in Chinese during remarkable Module 13, ensuring accessibility across different time zones. The diversity of the modules covered critical topics such as the protection of biodiversity, the economic and health benefits of nature-based solutions, recent advances in forest bathing and forest therapy research, groundbreaking projects supported by the European Union, and the state-of-the-art in nature-based therapies.
Collaborations in health, nature, and education, the role of restorative environments, global collaborative networks, community resilience through nature, the integration of nature connection into business strategies, the importance of forest therapy stations, and the addressing of environmental justice and health equity were explored. From different countries and approaches, many people heard and saw the transformations when nature and health walk together.
The summit also delved into transforming lives by addressing addiction and stress through nature, advancing health through evidence-based interventions, and empowering individuals through collaborative innovation.
Some Highlights
A standout moment was Module 1: Protecting Biodiversity, Protecting Ourselves, which emphasized the vital importance of ecosystem health to human well-being. Josep Pena, from the Public Health Department of the Diputació de Barcelona, emphasized collaborative work as an extraordinary opportunity for global health. Xavier Roget, tourism and culture advisor to the Natural Parks Network, contributed a territorial perspective grounded in 50 years of protected natural area management and shared the Nature and Health Strategic Plan of the Natural Parks Network.
From Fiji, international forestry consultant Deborah Sue highlighted the need to reconnect with nature as a strategy to confront both climate change and biodiversity loss. Prof. Dr. Helena Freitas of the University of Coimbra (Portugal) offered a deep reflection on biodiversity and planetary health, underlining why nature must be central to human well-being.
Aligned with this interdependent perspective, Module 10: Global Collaborative Networks in Nature-Based Health – Major Alliances Between Governments, SMEs, and Universities provided a powerful vision of the role strategic partnerships play in this emerging field. Alex Gesse, Executive Director of the Forest Therapy Hub, shared the institutional experience and progress made in the implementation of nature-based interventions.
Dr. Won Sop Shin (Chungbuk National University, South Korea) presented the “Vision for Global Collaboration: Jincheon Won Declaration”, a roadmap for joint work across continents. Stefan Seiberling, from Germany, showcased the example of Western Pomerania as a region transitioning from Healing Forests to a One Health Region.
Finally, Susanne Henne, on behalf of the Forest Therapy Hub, delved into the evolution of Nature-Based Solutions from research to innovation and implementation, highlighting the role of collaborative actions led by the Forest Therapy Institute LAB.
In Module 13: FOREST THERAPY STATIONS: THEIR IMPORTANCE FOR HEALTH AND THEIR PIONEERING EVOLUTION IN ASIA AND NORTH AMERICA, the momentous importance of these stations for health and their innovative development in key regions such as Asia and North America was revealed, with the participation of Dr. Guangyu Wang, Dr. Weiyin Chang, and Dr. Zhiling Wang, who highlighted the fundamental role of Forest Therapy in the revitalization of rural areas.
Module 16: TRANSFORMING LIVES: ADDRESSING ADDICTION, STRESS, AND ACCESSIBILITY THROUGH NATURE AND SOCIAL INNOVATION, was particularly insightful in showcasing how nature and social innovation are being effectively used to address critical challenges such as addiction, stress, and lack of accessibility. Heidi Schreiber-Pan shared insights on how nature can help tame the anxious brain, Inga Dreimane explored the value of Forest Therapy in post-trauma recovery, Hugh Asher detailed how connection with nature supports recovery, and Dr. Karolina Balciunaite presented significant changes in nature connection through Forest Bathing in adults with disabilities.
Module 5: STATE OF THE ART IN NATURE-BASED THERAPIES: EXPLORING FRONTIERS BETWEEN SCIENCE, WELL-BEING, AND HEALTH, unveiled the latest trends and discoveries in nature-based therapies. Alex Gesse presented the 5 key components that could unify the frameworks of these interventions, Dr. Alicja Juškienė explored the relationship between Mindfulness and Forest Therapy, Alexander Rose offered a clinical perspective on therapy in nature and adventure therapy, and Professor Nevin J. Harper investigated the common factors underlying outdoor therapies.
The participation of Angela Stangoe in Module 15: ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND HEALTH EQUITY: ADDRESSING INEQUALITIES THROUGH NATURE, underscored the crucial importance of nature in addressing disparities in mental health treatments. Module 8: INSIDE THE WORLD OF A NATURE CONNECTION SPECIALIST: A DAY OUTDOORS, offered an immersive experience that revealed the daily practice of Nature Connection Specialists.
Finally, Module 6: COLLABORATIONS IN HEALTH, NATURE, AND EDUCATION: EXPERIENCES FROM CONSERVATION AND URBAN GREEN SPACES, highlighted the power of collaborations between different sectors to promote health through nature and education. Josep Melero Bellmunt from the Diputació de Barcelona presented how cultural programs linked to nature offer well-being and health, Clara Finazzi shared the Diputació’s 15 years of work for healthy municipalities, and Sofia Paricio García illustrated the successful interconnection between education, primary care, and nature facilitated by the Diputació de Barcelona’s Network of Natural Parks.
The III Global Summit on Science, Nature and Health successfully promoted an educational ecosystem thriving on the convergence of Innovation, Nature, and Health, promoting sustainability and professional development within a vibrant network.
