Based on the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program, this unique 6‐week course will help you to cultivate the practice and attitudes of mindfulness meditation in daily life by learning from your own experiences and from the wisdom of nature.

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The restorative and therapeutic benefits of connecting with nature are well known. Studies show that spending time in nature helps to bring about positive emotions, activates our parasympathetic nervous system which calms and restores us, and promotes positive mental health and overall wellbeing. Cultivating mindfulness enhances our ability to connect with nature and only reinforces the benefits. In mindfulness, we train our minds and our hearts to live in the present moment and to bring a kind and compassionate attitude to all of our experience.

Practicing mindfulness in nature can help us get to know ourselves better and learn to more easily switch from the busy “doing” (reactive) mode to “being” (responsive) mode. This helps to transform our relationship with stress and mental health challenges to a healthier and more effective one. In turn, we can develop greater awareness, insight and trust in ourselves, as well as learn to meet ourselves and our experiences with wisdom and kindness.

Each two-and-half-hour session will include teachings, guided practices indoors and outdoors, periods of silence, mindful journaling and group discussion. No experience with mindfulness is required for this course; those with any level of experience with meditation are welcome to enroll. Participants will be given a folder with readings and handouts each week, and suggested home practices. Sessions may include gentle mindful yoga and/or other movement-based practices, and all sessions will involve walking outdoors. Comfortable shoes and dressing in layers are recommended.

Note: In the tradition of most mindfulness courses, this course includes a day-long silent retreat. Further information about the retreat will be provided in the course.

What you need to bring each week: Bottle of water, a journal and pen, sunglasses, and anything else you need to feel comfortable. Please dress in layers, appropriate to the weather, and wear comfortable walking shoes as much of the session will be outdoors.

An email will be sent to all registrants prior to the first session with further details. A brief outline of the sessions will be provided at the first session.

2026 Dates:
Friday May 8 @ 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Friday May 22 @ 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Friday May 29 @ 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Friday June 5 @ 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Sunday June 7 @ 10 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Friday June 12 @ 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Friday June 19 @ 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

TRCA is committed to creating an accessible experience for all participants. If you require an accessibility accommodation, please email Jennifer.Ouimette@trca.ca at least 7 days prior to the event.