Presented by Willistown Conservation Trust

Fall Equinox: Mindful Birding at Dusk | September 22

Tuesday, September 22
6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

Ornitherapy or Mindful Birding leads to heightened awareness during bird observation, benefiting our mind, body, and spirit. We’re pushed and pulled in many directions, no matter our age. If we allow birds and nature to slow us down, we are practicing a form of self care. Research shows that exposure to nature actively reduces stress, depression, and anxiety, while helping build a stronger heart and immune system.

This workshop will help you learn the practice of Ornitherapy - a practice of mindful birding.

We will begin with an intro explaining the concepts of Mindful Birding and how and why birds and nature help promote overall wellbeing. Through guided instruction, we'll learn simple mindfulness exercises to engage our sensory awareness while tuning into the birds and natural world surrounding us.

We'll use focused techniques and prompts in a gently guided walk or sit spot, enhancing our understanding of birds while  promoting quality versus quantity of the experience. Participants will use Mindful Birding Journals (provided with program) to increase observation and awareness

Benefits of Mindful Birding:

 Enjoy a reprieve from life stressors and pressures
· Gain enhanced sensory awareness (sight, sound, smell, touch)
· Better understand bird life through intentional observation
· Deepen your observation skills
· Enhance your identification skills, while building a stronger foundation for overall bird ID
· Increase self-reflection through birds and nature

Tuesday, September 22
6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

Ornitherapy or Mindful Birding leads to heightened awareness during bird observation, benefiting our mind, body, and spirit. We’re pushed and pulled in many directions, no matter our age. If we allow birds and nature to slow us down, we are practicing a form of self care. Research shows that exposure to nature actively reduces stress, depression, and anxiety, while helping build a stronger heart and immune system.

This workshop will help you learn the practice of Ornitherapy - a practice of mindful birding.

We will begin with an intro explaining the concepts of Mindful Birding and how and why birds and nature help promote overall wellbeing. Through guided instruction, we'll learn simple mindfulness exercises to engage our sensory awareness while tuning into the birds and natural world surrounding us.

We'll use focused techniques and prompts in a gently guided walk or sit spot, enhancing our understanding of birds while  promoting quality versus quantity of the experience. Participants will use Mindful Birding Journals (provided with program) to increase observation and awareness

Benefits of Mindful Birding:

 Enjoy a reprieve from life stressors and pressures
· Gain enhanced sensory awareness (sight, sound, smell, touch)
· Better understand bird life through intentional observation
· Deepen your observation skills
· Enhance your identification skills, while building a stronger foundation for overall bird ID
· Increase self-reflection through birds and nature

WHAT TO BRING:

- If you have binoculars, feel free to bring them.
- Water bottle or something that can be easily carried to stay hydrated.
- Sun protection is recommended, as are comfortable walking shoes.
-  Please bring something to write with - you will be provided an Ornitherapy journal to use during our workshop.
- If you prefer not to sit directly on the grass, something portable like a cushion, beach towel, or lightweight yoga mat will work!

PARKING & ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION
PARKING | Parking will be located at Rushton Conservation Center (
915 Delchester Rd, Newtown Square, PA)
ACCESSIBILITY | Rushton Conservation Center has limited accessible parking. 
OTHER EVENT INFORMATION | This event will be accessible for all mobility levels, and will be slow-paced, with some gentle walking and sitting on the ground. 


POLICIES
CANCELLATION POLICY | WCT may cancel events due to inclement weather or low registration. If an event is canceled, we will notify you of the rescheduled event date, and you will receive a full refund. If you can no longer attend | If your cancellation is at least 72 hours in advance of the event date, you will receive a full refund. Please email 
bhg@wctrust.org or call 610-353-2562 to cancel. If your cancellation is less than 72 hours' notice and you DO NOT attend a event, your event registration fee will support the Trust's mission to save open space and connect people to nature. Thank you for understanding. We will do our best to accommodate your needs. 

PHOTOGRAPHY POLICY | Attendance throughout the programs and events with Willistown Conservation Trust gives consent to be photographed for use in print and electronic media. Please notify Willistown Conservation Trust staff if you would prefer that your photo not be used for various multimedia or publications. Contact communications@wctrust.org

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slide 1Holly Merker has a background in art therapy, but today employs birds and nature toward the same goals of wellbeing in her work as an environmental educator and birding guide. She has worked as a professional birding instructor for National Audubon, the American Birding Association, Hillstar Nature, and other organizations. Passionate about connecting young people to birds, she co-founded the Frontiers in Ornithology Symposium. Dedicated to bird conservation, she is the state's coordinator/reviewer for the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s eBird Pennsylvania since 2005, and a two-term voting member of the PA Ornithological Records Committee and Committee Chair. She is lead author of the book Ornitherapy:For Your Body, Mind, and Soul (along with co-authors Richard Crossley and Sophie Crossley, Crossley Books, 2021). Holly spends every possible moment practicing Ornitherapy herself, which she credits in helping her defeat breast cancer, restoring her health mentally and physically.
                                  Holly Merker

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This is an ACCESS Participating Program

WCT is proud to partner with
Art Reach ACCESS
Are you a current ACCESS member?
Checkout using the provided ACCESS registration for your event discount.

You MUST bring photo ID and ACCESS Card when attending the program.

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