Guiding People Back to Nature: Claire Beach’s Forest Bathing Practice Takes Root in Westport
Westport’s Foley Mountain has long been known as a destination for nature lovers, and now those seeking calm and connection to nature can participate in a Forest Bathing walk thanks to Certified Nature Therapy Guide Claire Beach, whose nature walks are quietly transforming how residents and visitors relate to the land around them.
Claire’s journey into Nature Therapy began long before she earned her certification in 2019. “Nature has always been where I felt most at home,” she explains, recalling childhood days spent exploring her family’s homestead and later, years of paddling, hiking and travelling in search of deeper connection. It became her “refuge from the stress and burnout of a demanding 25-year career as an architectural designer and project manager.”
When Claire discovered Nature & Forest Therapy, she says she “knew I’d found something special” and a path toward supporting others through the healing power of the natural world. A practice rooted in mindfulness and ecology, Claire’s training was extensive, covering tea plants, first aid, ecology, trauma-informed facilitation, mindfulness and The Way of Council, a heart-centred practice of deep listening. It offered a framework for something she says she had always known intuitively: slowing down in nature helps people “come home to themselves.”
Forest Bathing, or Shinrin-Yoku, is often misunderstood as a type of hike, but Claire emphasizes that it’s not about distance or exercise. “Forest Bathing isn’t about going farther; it’s about noticing more,” she says. Participants move slowly, often just a kilometre or two over several hours, guided through gentle sensory invitations that encourage presence rather than performance.
Originating in Japan in the early 1980s as a response to rising stress and burnout, Forest Bathing has gained global recognition for its health benefits. Research shows that mindful time in nature can reduce stress, improve mood, restore attention, and support cardiovascular and immune health. Claire sees this tradition as a reminder that humans are part of nature, not separate from it; a perspective she believes fosters both wellbeing and stewardship.
When asked which benefits participants notice first, Claire says, “their breathing slows.” Many participants don’t realize how much tension they’re carrying until it begins to melt away. Some report improved sleep, renewed creativity or a sense of peaceful energy after a walk. One participant told her, “I’m painting for the first time in years, now.”
Claire has deep roots in Eastern Ontario, having lived, worked and explored the region her entire life. Foley Mountain, with its granite ridges, forests, wetlands and sweeping views of Westport, remains one of her favourite places. “There’s a timeless quality here that makes it easier to notice the beauty and wonder, often missed in our busy lives,” she says.
One of the most rewarding parts of guiding, Claire says, is watching people “soften.” Whether they arrive carrying stress, grief or simple mental fatigue, nature has a way of helping them reconnect with themselves and with one another. Strangers often leave as a community, bonded by the shared experience and a renewed sense of belonging.
To those who are curious but unsure about Forest Bathing, Claire says, “Come exactly as you are. Tired, nervous, stressed, excited. You don’t need any outdoor experience or special equipment, and you certainly don’t need to know the names of trees or birds. All you need is a willingness to slow down and be curious. People are often surprised by how simple and how powerful the experience can be.”
Asked what other nature-based programs or collaborations she would like to explore in the future, Claire notes that she hopes to grow programs for youth, workplaces, and older adults, and is especially interested in partnerships with therapists and healthcare professionals. With initiatives like PaRx and social prescribing gaining momentum, she sees an opportunity to make guided Nature Therapy more accessible to those who could benefit most.
More than anything, Claire hopes participants in the Forest Bathing walks leave with the understanding that nature is always there to support them. “When we slow down and reconnect with the Earth, we come home to ourselves,” she says. From that place grows resilience, belonging and a desire to care for both ourselves and the world around us.
Claire’s work as a Nature Therapy Guide complements her role as a Director of the Frontenac Arch Biosphere Network. Guiding keeps her grounded in the landscapes she helps steward, offering “on the ground” experience she brings to her work with the UNESCO-designated Biosphere.
As Forest Bathing takes root in Westport, Claire’s work is helping residents and visitors rediscover something essential: meaningful experiences in nature don’t require travelling far. Eastern Ontario, she says, “is incredibly rich in biodiversity, history and natural beauty.” Her desire is for people to gain “a deeper appreciation for this landscape, a stronger sense of belonging and the understanding that spending time in nature isn’t a luxury; it’s essential for living well.”
To find out more about Claire and her services, email claire@thewildedge.ca or visit https://www.thewildedge.ca and sign up for her next Forest Bathing walk at Foley Mountain on August 25th. The most profound connection with nature and yourself could be waiting just a Forest Bathing walk away at Foley Mountain.
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