Picture source: UBC Forestry
To engage the AP-FECM Steering Committee in advancing innovation in forestry education in the AP-FECM region and keep our communication regular, the AP-FECM Executive Office (EO) has proposed and coordinated the AP-FECM Online Seminar with the confirmation from the AP-FECM Steering Committee.
This seminar will be organized by each AP-FECM Steering Committee on a rotational basis. The on-duty steering committee is responsible for contacting the speaker and promoting the event within their universities and regions. The invited steering committee can give the talk or recommend one expert to give the talk. EO can help promote the seminars to all AP-FECM members and post them on the AP-FECM website. The seminar will be recorded and posted online.
Seminar time: The first Thursday of each month, can be adjusted to another day if necessary.
Seminar frequency and duration: Once per month, 1 hour each time. 45 min presentation+15 min Q&A is recommended.
Seminar topics: In 2025, our webinar focuses on the theme of innovation and new trends in forestry and forestry education. As a result of rapid climate change, biodiversity loss and new technological advances, the continued importance of forests to humans, and the threats that forests face, the careers of forestry professionals are evolving rapidly, especially in the Asia Pacific region. Higher forestry education in the Asia Pacific region has been evolving rapidly over the past few years to keep up with the evolving trends in the forestry sector and to accommodate the needs of students and society.
Innovation and new trends in forestry or forestry education can be shared in the webinars, for example, new trends in technology in forestry, teaching pedagogy, conceptual developments, paradigm shifts and program and curriculum innovation are all suitable topics for webinars.
Our Next Webinar:
AP-FECM webinar
Title: Forest Therapy: Healing Power from Forests — Origin, Theories, Challenges, and Opportunities
Speaker: Guangyu Wang, PhD
Associate Dean, Faculty of Forestry, UBC
Director and Professor
UBC Multidisciplinary Institute of Nature Therapy
Time: Tuesday, April 22, 2025, 07:00-08:00 PM Pacific Time (Vancouver)
Zoom Link: https://ubc.zoom.us/j/66580863457?pwd=3RmggSWr1Kwqy4ZWeUFoYOgbY3kD8i.1
Meeting ID: 665 8086 3457
Passcode: 526115
Abstract:
In this talk, Forest Therapy: Healing Power from Forests—Origin, Theories, Challenges, and Opportunities, I will explore how connecting with nature enhances human well-being. Forest therapy originated from ancient wisdom, highlighting our innate bond with forests. I introduce key theories such as biophilia, stress reduction theory, and attention restoration theory, demonstrating how forests positively impact physiological and psychological health. Despite growing recognition, challenges persist, including limited scientific validation, inconsistent practices, and underdeveloped policy support. I will discuss emerging research efforts addressing these gaps and highlight technological advancements, such as virtual forest experiences and indoor simulated forest immersion. Finally, the session outlines opportunities to integrate forest therapy into public healthcare, urban planning, and global sustainability agendas, positioning forests as vital assets in addressing modern health crises and environmental challenges. Audiences will gain insights into harnessing nature’s potential for holistic health and creating resilient communities.
Profile:
Dr. Guangyu Wang is an Associate Dean and Associate Professor of the Faculty of Forestry at the University of British Columbia, and Director of the UBC’s Multidisciplinary Institute of Natural Therapy (MINT), and Director National Park Research Centre. He has been working intensively in national parks, recreation management, and ecotourism development in the USA, Canada, and China. He brings extensive experience in protected areas research and project leadership while successfully managing $4 million in research projects over the last ten years. He has completed several research projects on forest therapy and its contribution to both social and environmental wellness. Currently, his MINT team is mainly focused on the effectiveness of forest soundscape, lightscape, and viewscape on human health and wellbeing. He works very closely with Forest Therapy Hub, ANFT, Korea Forest Welfare Institute, China Forest Therapy Committee, BC Royal Columbia Hospital, and the UBC School of Medicine.
He is the author of numerous books, chapters, technical reports, and scientific papers, including around 100 peer-reviewed international journals. He serves as an Associate Editor of Journals of Forestry Research, Frontier of Ecology and Evolution, Forests, and many others, and Director of Asia Pacific Forestry Education Coordination Mechanism.
2025 Tentative Schedule
| Seminar time (Vancouver time) | On-duty Steering Committee (Host) | Invited Steering Committee | Speaker | Title |
| 6 PM, February 27, 2025, | AP-FECM Executive Office | Dr. John Innes, Faculty of Forestry, University of British Columbia, Canada | Dr. Orlando Rojas, University of British Columbia | Bioinnovation Accelerates Through a Cross-Disciplinary Framework |
| 6PM, March 06, 2025 | Dr. John Innes | Dr. Antanas Spokevicius, School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences, University of Melbourne, Australia | Dr. Christopher Weston, Associate Professor (Forest Eco, Fire & Soils), University of Melbourne | Forestry Education in Australia – Engaging the Forest Sector |
| 7PM, April 22, 2025 | Dr. Antanas Spokevicius | Dr. Mohammed Al-Amin, Institute of Forestry and Environmental Sciences, Chittagong University, Bangladesh | Dr. Guangyu Wang, Associate Dean and Associate Professor, Faculty of Forestry, University of British Columbia | Forest Therapy: Healing Power from Forests — Origin, Theories, Challenges, and Opportunities |
| 7PM, May 01, 2025 | Dr. Mohammed Al-Amin | Dr. Cristián Bonacić, Department of Ecosystems & The Environment, Pontifical Catholic University of Chile | ||
| 7PM, June 05, 2025 | Dr. Cristián Bonacić | Dr. Xiong Li, Beijing Forestry University, China | ||
| 7PM, July 03, 2025 | Dr. Xiong Li | Dr. Hao Ren, College of International Education, Nanjing Forestry University, China | ||
| 7PM, August 07, 2025 | Dr. Hao Ren | Dr. Weibin Wang, Southwest Forestry University, China | ||
| 7PM, September 04, 2025 | Dr. Weibin Wang | Dr. Baatarbileg Nachin, National University of Mongolia | ||
| 7PM, October 02, 2025 | Dr. Baatarbileg Nachin | Dr. Jorge Mario Chavez, Faculty of Forestry Sciences, La Molina National Agrarian University, Peru | ||
| 7PM, November 06, 2025 | Dr. Jorge Mario Chavez | Dr. Juan M. Pulhin, Department of Social Forestry and Forest Governance, College of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Philippines Los Baños, Philippines | ||
| 6PM, December 04, 2025 | Dr. Juan M. Pulhin | Dr. DKNG Pushpakumara, Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka | ||
| 6PM, January 01, 2026 | Dr. DKNG Pushpakumara | Dr. Rachanee Pothitan, Faculty of Forestry, Kasetsart University, Thailand | ||
| 6PM, February 05, 2026 | Dr. Rachanee Pothitan | Dr. Hoang Van Sam, Director of International Cooperation Division, Vietnam National University of Forestry | ||