Academic Advisory Board
Global research projects and professional exchanges form the foundation of our work. We collaborate with various universities to integrate relevant research findings into our academy's training programs and, consequently, into your daily life. This ensures that our educational content is continuously updated in line with scientific developments.
Research
Our commitment to staying at the forefront of research and scientific advancement drives us. We aim to disseminate systematic knowledge as a scientific method in the field of nature and are already implementing evaluated concepts. Here, you can learn more about the positive effects of forests and nature on the body and mind. We have compiled scientific papers and present publications from around the world.
Science and the Academic Advisory Board
The Academic Advisory Board for Forest and Nature Health is distinguished by its extensive expertise across various disciplines. To maintain the high standards of our training programs, in-house training, and development of concepts in prevention and therapy, both nationally and internationally, the board of experts is available for quality assurance and guidance.
We maintain close contact with associations, medical professionals, health insurance companies, forestry departments, other training institutions, Japanese forest therapists, universities, and more. Our goal is to ensure and continuously enhance our high training standards, benefiting both current and former graduates.
Studies & Articles for Further Reading
A 2022 study from King’s College London on emotional well-being shows that a mix of green spaces (meadows, forests, plants), blue spaces (rivers, canals, ponds), and wildlife provides the greatest well-being. You can read about it here.
This article details how forest visits can strengthen the immune system, reduce stress, and promote mental health. Dr. Qing Li and his research on forest medicine are also highlighted, including the concept of "Shinrin-Yoku" (forest bathing).
In this article, it is wonderfully summarized how nature experiences can have positive effects on health. Various studies are cited, demonstrating that time spent in nature reduces stress, enhances well-being, and can even support recovery after surgery.
This article also supports the notion that forest bathing helps patients with chronic illnesses.
Another study examined the effects of nature experiences on resilience and cognitive development in children. The study emphasizes the importance of nature experiences for mental resilience.
You can find more research findings here.
As the list could go on indefinitely, new links will be added to this page periodically—feel free to check back!
Our Team of Advisors
The German Academy for Forest Bathing and Health draws on experts from various disciplines. To ensure that our training programs are always up-to-date with the latest scientific developments, we have a broad team of specialists at our disposal. Authorities from different fields collaborate to bring their specific knowledge and skills into our programs. This committee, our Academic Council, ensures quality assurance and the ongoing development of our academy.
Dr. Kristin Köhler
She worked for 10 years in the field of mental health in clinics and practices worldwide before trading in her white coat for hiking boots. Empathetic, creative, and wise, she has since combined scientifically grounded therapeutic knowledge with exercises in the natural world and, notably, with the inner self. We are thrilled to have Dr. Kristin Köhler as our instructor for the medical component of our academy.
Dr. Doreen Sallmann
The former Chief Physician at REGIOMED Rehaklinik is now practicing at her own clinic in Masserberg. Her specialties include general medicine, internal medicine, hematology & oncology, and palliative care. She incorporates mindfulness therapy and forest bathing into her treatments. She was also a trainer with the German Academy for Forest Bathing & Health for many years. Learn more about her work here.
Dr. Katharina Meyer-Schulz
After studying forestry, she completed a two-year internship at the Lower Saxony Ministry of Nutrition, Agriculture, Consumer Protection, and Regional Development. She then returned to the university, completed her doctoral studies, and wrote her dissertation in 2017/2018 titled "On the Health-Promoting Effects of Forest Stays." Today, she works as a Research Associate in the Department of Work Science & Process Engineering at the Faculty of Forestry at Georg-August-University Göttingen.
Kathi Pristrom
As an M.Sc. in Psychology, Forest Therapist, Relaxation Trainer, and Hypnotherapist with qualifications from Open University London, UK (B.Sc. Psychology) and SRH Heidelberg (M.Sc. Prevention and Health Psychology), she brings extensive experience from both domestic and international settings. She has achieved notable success in her roles as a Relaxation Trainer, Personnel and Leadership Psychologist specializing in Forest Therapy and Forest Prevention. In our academy, she serves as a lecturer in Meditation, Forest Bathing, and Mindfulness in Nature, and also works with patients in rehabilitation clinics.
Maria Kettenring
She is a specialist in aromatherapy and a lecturer with our partner Primavera. Maria’s expertise lies in the subtle properties and effects of fragrances and oils in the field of prevention, as well as their application. She also covers aromatherapy cuisine to address holistic use.
Prof. Dr. Daniela Haluza
She is a professor at the Medical University of Vienna, with a passion for forest therapy and research. Since 2020, she has been recognized as an ambassador for Austria and Europe. The environmental physician has previously spoken at one of our academy's conferences. Her publication on forest therapy is a work that we use and highly recommend in our training programs. For more information about Prof. Dr. Haluza, please refer to the provided details.
Dr. phil. Isabel Maria Arends
She developed a unique tree symbolism practice that combines ancient myths, fairy tales, and legends of trees with the power of essential tree oils. This practice merges elements of "forest bathing," positive psychology, wood therapy, and gestalt therapy. She supports start-ups and advises forward-thinking projects in the fields of sustainability, holistic medicine, and ecological construction. She has been running her own practice in Berlin-Charlottenburg for over 25 years.
Dr. rer. silv. Stefan Schaffner
He is a graduate forester (Diplom-Forstwirt univ.) and a forest ranger with the Bavarian Forestry Administration in the Bavarian Forest. His approach, which combines scientific examination of the forest ecosystem and its diverse effects on natural environments and human societies, not only shapes the foreword of our book "Forest Bathing," but has also validated our work at the Academy.
Bea von Borcke
She is an M.A. in Sports Science and a co-developer and trainer in Nature & Resilience at DAWG. Her international experience, combined with extensive experience in mid- to senior-level management and corporate health management, greatly aids us in addressing the needs of both employees and employers.
Ruth Leitenmaier
Attorney Ruth Leitenmaier, CEO of RULE Law Firm, a nationwide online law firm specializing in social and medical law, a specialist in social law, micro-influencer, and Green Power ambassador, author, and graduate of the Academy (Forest Bathing Course Instructor), supports us in the legal aspects of health topics.
Dr. med. Franz van Erckelens
He is the Chief Physician of the Department of Internal Medicine and Cardiology at Mediclin Reha-Zentrum Gernsbach and was one of the first to implement forest bathing in the clinical setting in 2019. We are delighted to have him as a speaker at our conferences on nature therapy.
Dr. sc. hum. Dipl. Verww. (FH) Thomas Draxler, MPA (Univ.), HP, AP n. SGB VII § 18
He runs a practice for spinal therapy and complementary medicine in Schaafheim/Hessen. With his team, he conducts leadership training, team-building measures, and courses in animal-assisted therapy at his "No ProbLama Ranch." The health scientist and lecturer at the German Social Accident Insurance University supports us in research and the ongoing development of the academy. More information here.
Dr. Claus Schott
He is a specialist in pediatric and adolescent medicine with a practice in Boxberg. Dr. Claus Schott’s approach to positively influencing the mind and body aligns with his collaboration with the German Academy for Forest Bathing and Health. Here you can find an article on the topic: Positively Influencing the Mind and Body
Peter Ferdinand Merckel
The Diplom-Forester and assessor of forestry services, with expertise in forest law, forest utilization, and forestry regulations, is a strong pillar in our academy team.
Gabriela Squara
She is a former spa director of Bad Reichenhall. As a business economist, health educator, business trainer, systemic coach, breathing instructor, forest health trainer, forest therapist, and nature resilience trainer, she brings extensive expertise in nature-related topics and their implementation in tourism and tourist regions. Additionally, she is responsible for forest and health matters and professional development in Bavaria for the BHV. More information about Gabriela Squara.
“In the smallest things, nature shows the greatest wonders.”
Carl von Linné