Redwood Rx program hosts art and wellness activities in Santa Cruz Mountains – Santa Cruz Sentinel

Yoga practitioners connect with their practice and nature during Redwood Rx. (Shmuel Thaler – Santa Cruz Sentinel)

FELTON — From connecting people with nature through writing, art or exercise, the Redwood Rx program, organized by the Mountain Parks Foundation in partnership with California State Parks, has another slate of unique forest activities to participate in this summer and fall.

Now in its second year, Redwood Rx was inspired by research showing that spending time in nature improves mental and physical health, and invites people to interact with nature in unique ways.

“We were thrilled with the overwhelmingly positive response to our Redwood Rx program when we unveiled it to the public last year,” said Mountain Parks Foundation Executive Director Brenda Holmes. “2024 marks Redwood Rx’s second season, and we have expanded our line-up to include more classes, additional workshop leaders and brand-new offerings like Forest Qi Gong and Walk with a Doc. Hearing how much these experiences are resonating with people and about the positive impacts time in nature is having on their wellbeing is one of the highlights of my job.”

The program’s first Walk with a Doc activity was held Saturday at Henry Cowell Redwoods, but there is another coming up Aug. 17. The approximately 1.5 mile walk and talk is intended for all ages, is free to attend and will start with a discussion about evidence-based lifestyle approaches that help prevent chronic disease and improve health.

After the talk, participants will then be able to walk at their own pace and connect with others and the featured walking doc, Dr. Steven Lieb, who will be on hand to answer general questions about maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The event is free and no special equipment is needed but advanced registration is required.

From 1 to 4 p.m. July 28, Redwood Rx will host an art activity called Advice from a Redwood with artist, naturalist and educator Elexis Padrón. Participants will walk about a mile on the relatively flat Redwood Loop at Big Basin State Park and learn about the resilience of the giant trees and take inspiration from them to create art prints after the walk through the process of monotype printmaking. No art experience is needed to participate. The class will begin at the Big Basin Visitor Center and the registration fee is $45.

Redwood Rx will host Forest Qui Gong: Nature Energy Immersion from 10 a.m. to noon July 31 at the Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park’s day use area. Participants will learn exercises from the ancient Chinese art to promote physical and mental health at various locations in the park. Participants will walk about 2 miles in total with some incline and uneven surfaces. The class is led by instructor Lewis Regen and the registration fee is $35. Beginners and longtime practitioners are welcome.

Join local artist and painting instructor Sarah Orre for Native Animal Portraits Pastel Painting from 2 to 4 p.m. Aug. 10 at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park’s Group Picnic Area 1.

Orre grew up in the San Lorenzo Valley and is the youth art director at the Santa Cruz Mountains Art Center where she teaches adult and youth classes. Orre will walk participants through the process of creating pastel wildlife portraits, from forest background to fur to feathers, and all skill levels are welcome to attend. The registration fee is $45 and art materials cost $10.

Additional Redwood Rx activities continue through October and include “Sunset Yoga,” among others.

For information and to register, visit mountainparks.org.