It will be a premiere of our educational materials. Stay with us. We will reveal the e-book and how to navigate in our Compass - Accessible Forest Competence Model.

The detrimental effects of digital overuse on psychological well-being have been well documented for over a decade. According to recent insights into the impact of smart phone and social media use on children and teenagers, a mental health pandemic is unfolding by now, with depression, anxiety, self-harm, and suicide rates continuously rising among adolescents. These largely unregulated digital tools are often designed to be addictive, tap into the vulnerabilities of the human social mind, and easily lead to social and psychological isolation. At the same time, we all enjoy their benefits as well, from easy accessibility of information to simple connection with emotionally important partners, family and friends. Digital tools have transformed our micro and macro environments – and the great challenge they pose is how to retain control of our privacy, social world, psychological needs, and even attention from the addictive algorithms and aggressive marketing strategies of big tech companies. The digital era of smart phones and social media is characterized by decreasing in-person social interactions, increasing screen-time and self-isolation, superficial and disrupted attention, irritability and anxiety. Some of the keys to take back control of our attention and real social needs over cheap thrills are: raising awareness (of its addictive and anti-social design), practicing responsible use (requiring improved self-control and addiction reduction strategies), and a renewed appreciation and focus on in-person social interactions (in intimate and broader groups, engaging in rewarding physical activities, in natural environments, outside of phones and apartments). This way we could (re)learn to enjoy the benefits of the digital tools, without outsourcing our social and emotional lives to big tech managers: going back to our natural environments and habitats and to the social dynamics our brains are wired for, may have rewarding effects not for ideological reasons but because of the evolutionary heritage of our human nature.

Article 30 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities guarantees persons with disabilities the right to participate on an equal basis with others in recreational and leisure activities. This creates the need to ensure the availability of various forms of recreation, taking into account the general principles of the Convention, namely universal design and reasonable accommodation. Public authorities should therefore take all measures to ensure that persons with disabilities have access to recreation and leisure activities on an equal basis with others. When considering investments in forests, such as trails, rest areas or information and education points, it is first necessary to examine whether universal design, as defined in Article 2 of the Convention, can be applied. If this is not possible, then solutions implementing reasonable accommodations, as defined in the same article, should be considered. It is worth highlighting good practices in ensuring the accessibility of forest spaces for persons with various types of disabilities. Experience shows that forests can be spaces accessible to all.

In at the deeper end of nature connection the way we guide does not end with increased mental and emotional wellbeing, but aims to create a profound shift in our sense of identity, transforming it from one that is isolated to one that is deeply rooted in relationship; from Isolated Self to Ecological Self. This changes us at depth. We are grown through Earth’s dream of us. In the face of our current problems, the kind of social and environmental changes we need depend on these deep dives. My main territories of work blend Eco-Somatics, Rites of Passage, Buddhism and Creativity.

Accessible Forrest Practices are a most welcome tool for refugees who have newly arrived in the land where they hope to find asylum. While their everyday life is burdened by manifold rules and overshadowed by the experiences on the flight and in their home countries, in the forest, refugees can easily find a connection to matters that are essential: air, soil, water, non-human creatures and plants.

The importance of relational health, the impact of forest walks on older adults

This is a panel on designing and facilitating nature walks with children, with a special focus on the challenges posed by excessive use of digital devices. Drawing on her extensive experience with children’s groups and forest immersion activities, she will share practical insights, creative ideas, and engaging methods to connect children with the natural world. Her contribution will highlight simple yet powerful practices that make nature walks attractive and meaningful, offering alternatives to the pull of computer games and virtual reality.

Regular migrants are often excluded from the health and social benefits of nearby nature. This session synthesises evidence from Sweden and internationally to show how access to forests and other green spaces supports mental health, stress recovery, social cohesion, and belonging—while highlighting barriers migrants face, from limited information and winter conditions to safety concerns and cultural disconnects. We integrate qualitative insights from Sweden (including SLU interviews with immigrants) and new multi-city data on immigrants’ use of urban green space, and we present a practical, ethics-informed model for “Accessible Forest” programming. Participants leave with concrete, evidence-based actions for services, municipalities, and NGOs.

For individuals living with profound physical and mental disabilities—often reliant on others and within institutional or social structures that can at times feel restrictive—entering nature can become an act of liberation. We will explore how deeply freeing and expansive this experience can be, and how practices such as forest bathing and guided forest walks can significantly enhance well-being for people with disabilities. Drawing from the perspectives of a psychologist and an occupational therapist, we will share experiences, insights, and practical recommendations to support accessibility and inclusivity in nature-based activities. We will also present possible future applications of the project, along with materials developed to extend its impact.