I never liked Valentine’s Day. Too commercial. But I found a gift that doesn’t wilt: adventure. A personal story about backpacking, arguing in the wild, learning to share the load, and finding connection again, one trail at a time.

Winter doesn’t mean you’re failing—it may mean your body is doing what it was designed to do. This reflection explores nature-informed ways to move through darker months with more ease, including simple strategies inspired by the natural world and Scandinavian winter wisdom.

We know nature helps—but “just getting outside” isn’t enough for rising trauma, burnout, and disconnection. Learn how CNIT trains mental health and community helpers and develops Therapeutic Pathways that bring practical, evidence-informed support into parks and gardens.

In 2025, the Center for Nature-Informed Therapy strengthened its nonprofit foundation, expanded beyond Maryland, and deepened its role in the growing field of nature-based mental health care. From training Ukrainian park rangers and botanical garden staff in Hungary to serving nearly 500 participants through programs and awarding more than $14,000 in scholarships, this year reflected both steady roots and bold reach.

We already know noise affects mental health—but what if over-talking is another kind of noise pollution? This reflection explores why we fill every pause and how nature gently teaches us to listen with more presence, curiosity, and care.

Our founder, Dr. Heidi Schreiber-Pan, coauthored a peer-reviewed study of CNIT’s brief, clinician-led ecotherapy program. Participants consistently reported less reactivity, more present-moment attention, and experiences of awe/connection. Here’s the plain-English summary—and what it means for clients, clinicians, and community partners.

We’re living in bodies built for horizons, not inboxes. Drawing on “Mismatch Theory,” Heidi reflects on a seaside retreat where strangers became community—and how nature-based rituals realign modern life with ancient needs. As winter nears, she invites us to choose pace, belonging, and rest over speed and strain.

The APA Monitor’s feature on walking therapy marks a turning point for nature-based care. In this reflection, Dr. Heidi Schreiber-Pan shares why movement and the living world free clients to speak, think, and breathe—and how CNIT is building equitable, evidence-based pathways for practitioners and communities.

After a long journey to CNIT, Ukrainian visitors reflected on gardens that keep growing, breakfasts by the river, and the power of solidarity. This is a story of nature-informed healing across borders.

From late-night air-raid alerts to quiet moments in the field, this filmmaker’s view of CNIT’s training at the Ukraine–Hungary border reveals how nature-informed therapy helps park rangers and conservation workers navigate grief, fear, and resilience—without losing their connection to the places they protect.

After devastating floods, our relationship with nature can feel broken. Discover therapeutic principles—like ritualized repair and community witnessing—to heal your bond with rivers, forests, and landscapes.

In an age of AI-driven therapy apps, we gain insights but lose feeling. Nature-informed therapy restores the reciprocal relationship that truly heals.

Eleven strangers entered the Dolly Sods Wilderness carrying heavy packs—and heavier hearts. Amidst rain, discomfort, and shared vulnerability, they discovered profound healing and human connection.

CNIT announces the Trailblazer in Nature-Informed Therapy Award, spotlighting graduates who creatively unite nature with mental health.

Nature isn't a place to visit—it's home. Discover the Thanksgiving Address and reconnect with the Earth.

Discover the wisdom of the Honorable Harvest and see how giving back to nature can deepen all our relationships.

Discover how Braiding Sweetgrass teaches young adults about resilience, gratitude, and the power of disturbed edges to foster growth.

Discover the power of gratitude and kinship from Braiding Sweetgrass to slow down, give back, and embrace nature’s gifts.

Discover how nature restores attention and boosts clarity in this serene, tree-filled oasis.

When nature feels unsafe after the storm, finding small constants helps us heal and rediscover hope in unpredictable times.