A chance to slow down, come together and share in the simple pleasures and gentle, restorative qualities of nature. Proudly presented as a part of Sunshine Coast Council’s Healthy Sunshine Coast program 2025. Drawing on the principles of nature therapy, these sessions will encourage participants to explore and connect with nature at the Maroochy Bushland Botanic Gardens. Activities include grounding in present awareness, wanders through the gardens, opportunities for interacting with other participants, and small adventures in creativity. “I arrived feeling ... stress and fatigue and had a racing mind filled with everything I needed to do throughout the week. I left feeling relaxed, rejuvenated, revitalised and centered.” A growing body of research shows that spending time in nature is beneficial to our mental, physical and social wellbeing. Even more, spending time in nature mindfully or in the practice of nature/forest therapy can increase those benefits and develop within participants a stronger relationship with nature, sometimes termed ‘connection to country’. While enhancing individual health and resiliency, this quality of nature connection can also support intrinsic pro-environmental behaviours.