Title: Forest Therapy: Healing Power from Forests — Origin, Theories, Challenges, and Opportunities
Time: Tuesday, April 22, 2025, 07:00-08:00 PM Pacific Time (Vancouver)
Speaker: Guangyu Wang, PhD
Associate Dean, Faculty of Forestry, UBC
Director and Professor
UBC Multidisciplinary Institute of Nature Therapy
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Dr. Guangyu Wang
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.
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.