Prescription Trails Leveraging the Science of Trail Therapy

Webinar Outline

Building a trail is about so much more than just clearing a path! It’s about creating adequate space for real people to reconnect with nature—and themselves, too. In this science-backed session, Falcon guidebook authors Jamie Siebrase and Adam Sawyer will explore the link between mental health and the outdoors, as detailed in the upcoming book "Trail Therapy: Finding Wholeness in Nature" (Globe Pequot; November 2026). We’ll dive into the latest research on how movement through natural environments—from nearby nature in urban centers to remote backcountry—builds resilience and helps trail users of all ages and skill levels manage stress, anxiety, depression, and more. Adam will share his personal journey of navigating grief and loss on the trail, providing a powerful case study. Jamie will walk attendees through the various science-backed features (water and birdsong, for example) that promote emotional wellness, and she'll also discuss existing prescription trails (ABQ has a network) as well as the concept of nature prescriptions. By the end of this fact-filled talk, trail agencies, builders, planners, and managers will have a deeper understanding of how and why nature heals, equipping them to better advocate for the mental health benefits of the trails they manage and protect.

Learning Objectives:

• Support Wellness-Informed Trail Design: Understand how specific trail features—such as blue space, awe-inspiring vistas, birdsong, and rhythmic movement—assist users in bolstering emotional wellness.
• Apply Nature-Based Resilience Tools: Implement strategies for messaging trail benefits that focus on mental health resilience.
• Evaluate Nearby Nature Impact: Identify the specific mental health benefits of urban and accessible trail systems compared to remote wilderness, emphasizing the value of local trail advocacy.

Location

This is a virtual training. See the event website for more details.

Trail Competencies

• Project Planning and Design
• • Trail Specifications
• • Trail Inventory and Assessment

• Program Administration
• • Education and Public Outreach

Relevant Trail Types

General. All trail types are relevant.