Nature Encounter - A Transformative Day

A Transformative Day of Nature Encounter led by "one of our greatest living naturalists",  Mark Cocker.

All of us increasingly recognise the importance of Nature, not simply because we rely on it for our food, water, soil, wealth and material well-being. Nature is at the heart of individual health precisely because we are Nature. What is good for the whole is good for its members.

Walking in open wild spaces has health benefits for anyone suffering from respiratory ailments. Trees release compounds that stimulate the immune system. In Japan ‘forest bathing’ is proven massively to increase our abilities to combat illness including cancer-causing pathogens by 50 per cent. Woodland walks reduce adrenaline and cortisol, symptoms of stress and illness. Organic shapes found in woods are restful, walking among trees improves our capacity to pay attention. Children brought up in woods are shown to be more developed, with better communications skills, more emotional maturity and better general health and well-being.

This daylong course is aimed at experiencing all these enormous health benefits, but it is equally about understanding the more-than-human world. 

We will set moth traps and have a microscope to hand to examine the little things that run the Earth. We will go out into the Shimpling Farm lands to observe, touch and enjoy the amazing world of Nature.  It is about learning to slow down and to see, listen and investigate the world around us more completely. It is also about understanding how life truly works.

The Booking Details:

Doors open at 9.30am for a 10am start. The day will aim to finish at 4pm 

The day will include refreshments and a very simple homemade lunch therefore if you have any allergies or dietary requirements please let us know when booking. 

Notes: 

Please come well shod and properly clothed for anything the British weather can throw at us. 

If you have them, bring binoculars and hand lenses and most importantly, bring a notebook and pen. 

Above all, bring a deep sense of true curiosity !

We will be exploring outside so  If you have accessibility issues it is vital that we know before booking to ensure that we can support you in the safest and most enjoyable way possible.  We will try our very hardest to accommodate everyone. 
Please email us if you have questions before booking.  alice@shimplingparkfarm.co.uk

In the evening of 9th October Mark Cocker will be "in Conversation" with John Pawsey to explore the launch of his long-awaited new book "The Nature of Seeing" . Tickets for this evening and the supper which follows it are ticketed separately.  There is a pause between the two events between 4pm and 6.30pm and if you are staying for the evening you are welcome to stay and walk self guided or rest on the farm to reset between the two.