Women in Nature (WIN)

Women in Nature (WIN) Program

“Nature is always lovely, invincible, and glad, no matter what is done and suffered by her creatures. She heals all scars, whether in rocks or water or sky or hearts.” – John Muir

The healing effects of nature are well known, researched, and documented. As little as 30 minutes in nature can reduce stress, speed emotional and physical healing, and restore the ability to focus. Outdoor adventure therapy, wilderness therapy, and eco-psychology rely on the restorative effects of the natural environment to provide interventions that support positive personal change. Such programs are widely respected and produce measurable, enduring results.

WIN participants are selected from our housing programs based partly on self-reported criteria: recognition that something isn’t complete in their lives, high internal strife/stress; low self-confidence; lack of self-awareness; feelings of fear; domestic abuse, sexual abuse or other extreme family trauma; and indication of the courage to change. They are also referred by case managers.

WIN focuses on the following potential outcomes as direct support for housing program outcomes:

• Restorative Experience (stress relief and relaxation)

• Self-efficacy (confidence, motivation, and empowerment)

• Mental Focus (clarity and attention span)

• Physical Empowerment (activity and health)

• Nature Awareness (appreciation and care)

Outings to natural settings are scheduled monthly throughout the year and include opportunities to: observe nature, walk, journal, reflect, draw, learn about NW ecology, volunteer, give feedback, and share reflections and insights with the group. Locations were chosen close to home (such as Point Defiance, Snake Lake Nature Center, and Clarks Creek) as well as several hours away (such as the NW coast, Bloedel Reserve, Nisqually Delta, and Mt. Rainier). The nearby locations give the women opportunities to easily return alone, with friends, and with their families. Distant locations expose the women to more Pacific Northwest treasures, places that may have been out-of-reach to them before.

We provide transportation, equipment (supplies), a structure for enjoying the space, and then each woman decides how she wants to engage. Prior to each outing staff informs participants of any preparations they might need to make, and we learn about any special needs. We encourage self-care, recognizing that mothers, especially single mothers, rarely find time for themselves and, yet, without restoring the body and spirit, the ability to focus and make conscious decisions diminishes. For most of the women, our monthly outings are the only times they have away from responsibilities and crises. They are discovering how critical self-care is and are finding ways for more of it in their lives.

The response of the women who have participated in WIN has been profound. They report that the project is extremely important and that has provided new powers to accomplish more than ever before. Each anticipates our upcoming outing and finds support and encouragement just knowing that there will be another one. Personal condition reported during outing check-in changes dramatically during their time in nature as reported by each of the woman before we end for the day. Case managers report significant changes in how each woman approaches challenges– going from confusion and lethargy to clarity and energetic activity – from fear and uncertainty to confidence and emerging leadership.

The program has been observed by researchers at the University of Washington. They are looking for effective methods for helping women returning from Iraq & Afghanistan with PTSD – and believe that WIN may be a program model that would fit well with their goals.

Current partnerships include – Gear REI; Wellspring Resort owner Sunny Thompson.

We are now in our 2nd year of the program, and have enough evidence of the program’s effectiveness to begin sharing about it in the community. Stay tuned for more info on WIN in the months to come!

“I am a worrier, always worried about something, but after our walk in the forest today, I am so surprised that I am not at all worried. This is the first time I ever felt this. Is it peace?” – WIN Program participant