UWaterloo’s urban forest designated a national healing forest

The University of Waterloo’s urban forest recently received the national healing forest designation from the David Suzuki Foundation and National Healing Forests Initiative. The designation recognizes how space embodies spiritual connection to the land and provides a place to heal from trauma. The five-hectare area is the largest remaining greenspace on UWaterloo’s campus and features a creek; floodplains; and a forest of maple, ironwood, and black cherry trees. UWaterloo”˜s Faculty of Environment will work with Indigenous Nations and community partners on a shared vision for the forest this year. “From installing art in the space to creating a digital handbook and walking tour of the forest, the possibilities are already starting to bubble up,” said UWaterloo Senior Educational Developer Leslie Wexler.