Why Nature Is So Good for You: Mentally, Physically, & Spiritually
Laura Allen, Ph.D., is a professor at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas, where she has taught since 1994. Her expertise includes child and adolescent development and curriculum development. She is also a certified forest therapy guide trained through the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy. Along with her colleague, Dr. Courtney Crim, she leads an interdisciplinary research team studying the benefits of the natural environment on well-being. Allen and colleagues have published their work nationally and given multiple invited talks, most recently at SA2020, EnVibe podcast, and the Texas Children in Nature Network. Along with Crim, she co-teaches a new course, “The Natural Environment and Well-Being,” where students spend 50% of class time outside in natural settings, conduct their own research, and experience forest therapy walks.
Allen and Crim share their knowledge with the broader community through Nature Connections and Forest Bathing of San Antonio (natureconnectionsofsa.com), where they offer a range of customizable workshops and forest therapy walks.
