202409/25
Forest therapy has been proven to have a soothing effect on physical and mental stress, and Taiwan is abundant in forest resources. The Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency (FANCA) has been promoting forest therapy since 2021, and so far, there are already 50 certified forest therapists. Through the FANCA, these therapists guide members of the public to experience nature with their 5 senses, which can help reduce stress and enhance immunity, thereby improving national health. To provide more people with the opportunity to learn about and experience forest therapy, the FANCA will organize hundreds of forest therapy activities across the country designed and led by certified forest therapists. It is hoped that these efforts will also match forest therapists with domestic tourism, corporate activities, and long-term healthcare industries, thereby expanding the forest therapy market and developing a health industry with the unique features of Taiwan’s forests. Registration is open from today.
Hundreds of Activities to Be Launched, Laying Down the Foundation of the Forest Therapy Industry
The FANCA pointed out that a high-stress living environment is likely to cause anxiety, depression, and other mental health problems, while the health needs of the elderly should also not be ignored. Forest therapy has been proven by scientific research in many countries to be an effective preventive medical pathway that can reduce the burden on healthcare systems. The FANCA will collaborate with public and private organizations across different fields that are interested in the development of forest therapy, with hundreds of forest therapy activities to be designed and led by certified forest therapists. Activities will include “Forest Therapy Prescription” at the Neidong National Forest Recreation Area, aromatherapy and singing bowl therapy at Meifeng Farm, and “Walking in the Forest - Balancing the Body and Mind in the Underforest” at the Dasyueshan Community of the Heping District in Taichung City. Participants will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the remarkable benefits of forest therapy. With the consent of participants, the FANCA will also utilize some of the activities to analyze the changes in participants’ physical and mental health data, which will provide valuable information for Taiwan’s forest therapy research.
In-depth Slow-living Forest Experience, Enabling Holistic Healing through the 5 Senses
Lin Hwa-Ching, Director General of the FANCA, said that forest therapy is focused on in-depth slow-living experiences, and each activity will have a suitable number of participants. Through professional guidance, the 5 senses, namely sight, hearing, taste, smell and touch, of participants will be engaged so that they can experience a profound connection to nature, ultimately achieving balance in their body, mind, and spirit within the forest environment. In addition, forest therapy can also create more green job opportunities for the tribal communities surrounding the forests and revitalize the economy of mountain villages.
Developing Professional Competencies and Promoting National-Level Certifications
To ensure the professional standards of forest therapists, the FANCA is partnering up with the Ministry of Labor’s Integrated Competency and Application Platform (iCAP) to formulate occupational competency standards for forest therapists. It is expected that the FANCA will obtain the Ministry of Labor’s Quality Accreditation for iCAP Competency-based Training Program by the end of next year (2025) to ensure the quality of forest therapy practitioner training courses, strengthen the credibility of the certification, and enhance the market value. This will allow forest therapists to become nationally certified professional green-collar workers.
Preferential Rental Measures to Promote the Development of the Forest Therapy Market
The FANCA has set rental fee rates for venues in National Forest Recreation Areas under its jurisdiction that are suitable for forest therapy activities. To support the forest therapy industry, certified forest therapists will not only be given priority in renting these venues for activities, but will also be entitled to a 50% discount on venue rentals until the end of 2026. This will encourage forest therapists to collaborate with related industries such as domestic tourism, corporate activities, and long-term medical care. Furthermore, relevant measures will help expand the forest therapy market and lay down the foundation for the development of the forest therapy industry, enabling it to evolve into a health industry with the unique features of Taiwan’s forests.
Registration for the First Batch of Activities Officially Starts on September 25
Today (September 25) at noon, the first batch of forest therapy activities will be open for registration. For details, please go to the Forest Therapy activities page on the Taiwan Forest Recreation website. In the future, more forest therapy activities will be held throughout Taiwan, enabling more people to benefit from the healing power of nature.