1. Setting the scene

     "Welcome and introduction to the webinar" - Peter Rawcliffe, Chair of EUROPARC Federation Healthy Parks Healthy People Commission

  2. Case Studies

    "The Health and Nature Program of the General Directorate of Environmental Policies and the Natural Environment of Catalonia. Health. and therapeutic itineraries"
         -  Pilar Vendrell Sales, Government of Catalonia

    "Evidence Building and Support for Forest Healing Services in Italy" - Francesco Meneguzzo and Federica Zabini, Institute of Bioeconomy of the National Research Council of Italy

  3. Q&A and conclusions 

    Peter Rawcliffe,  Chair of EUROPARC Federation Healthy Parks Healthy People Commission

Join us online on
3rd of December 2024, 10:30 CET
Webinar Programme
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Forest bathing is an increasingly popular activity in many Protected Areas. Courses for Protected Area staff to accompany people in such experiences are gaining popularity all over Europe. Science confirms that nature is a great tool to boost well-being and prevent ill-health. But what research is behind it? What protocols are underpinning the nature immersion sessions? And how does forest bathing differ from similar practices such as forest therapy or the wild ways well approach embedded in EUROPARC's Healthy Parks Healthy People Europe Programme?

In this webinar, we are sharing the stories and contributions of two public bodies - the government of Catalonia and the Italian National Research Council, Institute of Bioeconomy. Our speakers will share their expertise and explain the genesis and development of research and practical actions on the ground (incl. testing protocols) to improve the health and well-being of the population through forest ecosystem services in protected areas and elsewhere.
Through this registration process and until the 25th of November - by clicking at this link - you can ask some questions before the event. We will do our best to address these inquiries during the session, and you can also ask questions in the chat during the webinar. If we are unable to answer any questions, we will provide a document with the responses after the event.

Healthy Parks Healthy People Europe is a programme developed by the EUROPARC Federation and builds on the innovative practices gathered by the Health and Protected Areas Commission over several years.
EUROPARC events give you the opportunity to get new ideas, tools and inspiration from other protected area professionals. In real time. Person to person. Without leaving your home.
Get to know our case studies speakers
Pilar Vendrell Sales – General Directorate of Environmental Policies and  Natural Environment, General Secretariat of Ecological Transition, Government of Catalonia

Pilar completed her biology studies at the University of Barcelona and has worked in the Department of Environment of Catalonia since 1992, focusing on environmental inspection, impact assessment, and nature conservation for the past 22 years. Since January 2023, she has been responsible for Health and Nature portfolio in the DG Environmental Policies and Natural Environment. At a personal level, Pilar enjoys hiking, nature sports, contemplation, and has a familial connection to vineyards and landscapes.
Francesco Meneguzzo -  Institute of Bioeconomy of the National Research Council of Italy and Central Scientific Committee of the Italian Alpine Club

Physicist, senior researcher at the Institute of Bioeconomy of the National Research Council of Italy and member of Central Scientific Committee of the Italian Alpine Club. Once meteorologist and climatologist, later focused on energy systems and agri-food technological innovation. Since 2019, he has focused on field experiments, analysis and exploitation of ecosystem services of forest areas towards the human health. He has participated to fundamental, applied and industrial research projects, has been Grant Professor of Meteorology, and is coauthor of more than 200 scientific articles, books and book chapters.
Federica Zabini, Institute of Bioeconomy of the National Research Council of Italy

Federica is a senior researcher at the Institute of Bioeconomy, National Research Council of Italy. Her career began in scientific dissemination about meteorology, climate change, and sustainability. Since 2018, her research has centered on technological innovation in natural product extraction and on valorization of forest ecosystem services, particularly in relation to human health. She has participated to several research projects, both international and national, and she has coauthored numerous scientific articles, books, and book chapters, and serves as an editor for several international journals.
EUROPARC Webinar

Forest ecosystem services for human health. Research and practice from Southern Europe
3rd December 2024 – 10:30 CET