Upcoming Special Events – 2026 Festivals – 2026 Retreats
Upcoming Special Events:
Two special opportunities for Muskegon County Residents:
Fall Programming with the Muskegon Area District Library
We are always thrilled to team up with our local libraries to offer programming that is fully sponsored and free for participants to join! To learn more about our remaining fall program with MADL, head to the library page below. Space is limited and RSVPs are required to join and save your spot. If you are in an MADL library community, we hope to see you there for The Wild World of Foraging on Oct 27!
Tuesday, October 27, 11am-12pm Wild World of Foraging at the Holton Branch
🌟 Fully Sponsored Programs, Free for Participants! 🌟
Guided Shinrin-yoku: October After Dark
Thurs, Oct 22, 6-9pm at Blandford Nature Center, Grand Rapids
Join our guide Katie for a special after dark Shinrin-yoku experience in the October forests and meadows of Blandford Nature Center! This event follows the most internationally recognized framework for a forest therapy experience worldwide, honoring a full 3-hour timeframe to help you sink in, relax, and embrace the experience. We’ll start with a brief introduction to the background and research of Shinrin-yoku and then dive deep into a memorable evening in nature, with guided meditation, a variety of prompts for exploration after dark, community circles for connection, exploring different areas of the nature center grounds, and enjoying a closing candlelit wild foraged tea service in the woods. From tree silhouettes to nighttime wildlife, there is so much to discover on an October night outside! We hope you’ll join us to see what nature has to share during this special autumn offering at BNC.
Program Includes: A provided sit pad and blanket, a red-tinted flashlight to use during the program, hot stone hand warmers, essential oils for meditation, wild foraged tea and a small snack, and after-hours access to the nature center grounds. We will also have bug spray available for your use, if needed (deet and deet free options).
General Public Registration: $45
Blandford Members Save 20% and register for $36!
Program is full and on a waitlist!
Guided Shinrin-yoku: Relax & Reconnect in Nature (Final 2026 BNC Offering)
Thurs, Nov 12, 6-8pm at Blandford Nature Center, Grand Rapids
We’re looking forward to heading outside this November for one more Guided Shinrin-yoku experience in the forests and meadows at Blandford Nature Center! As we have all year for this once-monthly program, we’ll start with a brief introduction to the background and research of Shinrin-yoku, and then head into the woods for a memorable evening in nature – with guided meditation, mindfulness prompts for exploration, community circles for connection, and a closing wild foraged tea service to complete our time together. This program will take us past sunset and into the after-dark hours, offering a lovely chance to enjoy a fall evening outside, even as the daylight hours shorten. We hope you’ll join us!
Program Includes: A provided sit pad and blanket, a red-tinted flashlight to use during the program, hot stone hand warmers, essential oils for meditation, wild foraged tea and a small snack, and after-hours access to the nature center grounds. We will also have bug spray available for your use, if needed (deet and deet free options).
General Public Registration: $32
Blandford Members Save 20% and register for $25.60!
8 spots left!
Upcoming Festivals
Our 2026 festival season is complete! Stay tuned for 2027 opportunities!
Upcoming Retreats
Stay tuned for upcoming retreats!
Frequent Offerings
Learn more about our frequently offered events and workshops below and check out our Calendar & Events page to register for upcoming events!
$5 Community Gatherings
Join our $5 community gatherings to build your community, explore self-care in deeper forest settings, and nurture a new approach to time outside! We host two different gathering formats: Community Sit Spot Gatherings and Community Forest Gatherings. Both offer something unique and special, and are offered year-round, on a pop-up basis.
Stay tuned for upcoming opportunities via our class calendar HERE!
Yoga & Guided Forest Bathing Experiences
Originally one of our core classes, our yoga & guided forest bathing experiences hold a special place in our heart and remain one of our favorite pop-up classes to share in the warm weather months. During these 1.5-hr offerings, you’ll bring your mat outside and join Katie for a slow flow class in the living breathing forest – with time to explore the benefits of forest bathing and time off your mat, community connection, and more.
Stay tuned for upcoming opportunities via our class calendar HERE!
IYE Winter Wellness Club
Join us for our one-of-a-kind, three-month long Winter Wellness Club! This experience is hosted in select years over the course of the winter season, with special member’s only gatherings, opportunities to learn about winter nature connection techniques for self-care, weekly meditations, class passes, a chance to make new friends, and MORE.
Check back annually for Winter Wellness Club updates!
Guided Shinrin-yoku & Journaling in Nature Writing Workshops
Grab your journal and join us in the forest during these special 2.5-hr workshops, which blend journaling prompts and forest bathing techniques for relaxation, reflection, and connection to yourself and the world around you.
Stay tuned for upcoming opportunities via our class calendar HERE!
