www.forestbathingpod.com
Pop over to see the PopUP Forest
A PopUP Forest will appear between 10.30 – 4pm on Saturday 21 September 2019 as part of the International Weekend of Wellbeing in Liverpool’s Royal Court Theatre offering the chance to experience the Japanese practice of Shinrin-Yoku or Forest Bathing.
“We are trying to recreate the tranquillity of a forest for the busy urban environment” explains Paul Nolan, Director of The Mersey Forest, “Each day it seems that there are more reports and studies to show how being close to nature and being in trees and woodlands in particular is good for own wellbeing. This is a chance to immerse in a forest, take a breath and gather thoughts for the day ahead.”
The PopUP Forest has been designed by Liverpool based BCA Landscape and is funded by the EU Horizon 2020 Urban GreenUP project. BCA Landscape Director Andy Thomson commented, “We have taken our inspiration from the Japanese Forest Bathing ideas. The PopUP Forest reminds us that being in nature is good for us on many levels.” The specially selected trees are supplied by local nursey JA Jones & Sons of Southport, and the bathing pod built by the Royal Court Theatre set-building team.
Urban GreenUP is a five-year programme that aims to plant more trees, create green walls and habitats for pollinators. The programme is part of an international collaboration led by Cartif in Spain, with the City Council leading the local partnership with The Mersey Forest and the University of Liverpool. Planning has just been granted for a green wall at St. John’s Centre adjacent to Royal Court Theatre.
Liverpool City Council comment “The Urban GreenUP project is showing the value and benefit of greening our city centre. The PopUP Forest is an opportunity to explore some of the health benefits and also start the conversations about how we green our cities to improve health and make us resilient to climate change too.”