Ornitherapy: How to Capture Birding’s Wellness Benefits at Leica Store LA

8783 Beverly Blvd.,West Hollywood CA 90048

19 February, 2023

Description

Ornitherapy Through the Lens: How to Capture Birding’s Wellness Benefits Join author, birding guide, and nature-based wellness provider, Holly Merker, as she shares how and why watching birds benefits our bodies and minds. Research shows that exposure to nature actively reduces stress, depression, and anxiety, while helping build a stronger heart and immune system. Birds are gateways into deeper experiences with nature, magnifying these benefits. Through observation, we can learn not only about birds, but gain insight into our own lives while exploring our connection to the world around us. During the program, Holly will delve into our connections to birds, how to maximize the wellness benefits of birding and photography and learn about the latest research in the power of nature for overall wellbeing. A raffle for a copy of Ms. Merker's book, Ornitherapy: For Your Mind, Body and Soul, will take place during the event. Opening Photo: Richard Crossley/Crossley Books About Holly Merker Holly Merker is a professional birding guide, writer, and educator, who has a background in art therapy but today uses birds and nature towards the same goals delivering nature-based wellness programs for people of all ages. She shares her love of bird guiding for the American Birding Association, National Audubon, Hillstar Nature, and many other organizations, and has provided Ornitherapy and Forest Bathing programs across the US. She is a Certified Nature and Forest Therapy Guide (ANFT) and founder of The Mindful Birding Network. Holly was the recipient of the 2022 Conservation and Education Award given by the American Birding Association for her work in both those areas of birding. As an author, Holly has produced two books which guide readers into explorations optimizing the wellness benefits research shows that birds provide us, including the award-winning book Ornitherapy: For Your Mind, Body, and Soul (written with Richard Crossley, and Sophie Crossley, Crossley Books, 2021) and Die Kraft Der Vogel Beobachtung – “The Power of Birdwatching”, Freya Verlag, 2023), coauthored with Dr. Angelika Nelson. In her free time, Holly spends every possible moment practicing Ornitherapy, which she credits to help her defeat breast cancer and aids in restoring her health mentally and physically.