Ecotherapy at Butler

Our Ecotherapy Trails combine ecotherapy practices, mindfulness meditation, and physical wellness strategies to provide a relaxing and exploratory experience using our campus’ natural resources. These routes are designed to facilitate rest, stress-release, curiosity, and gratitude.

Meditation’s benefits accumulate with practice, so visit the trail as often as desired. We suggest returning in each season to observe how your environment changes throughout the year.

• Put your phone in “Do not disturb” mode.
• Bring a full, reusable water bottle, a journal, and a pen.
• Wear comfortable and weather-appropriate clothing.

• Environmental stewardship is an important part of ecotherapy. Review Leave No Trace principles before you go.
• Stay on marked paths or trails throughout the activity.
• If you are going to listen to music or audio meditations, bring headphones or keep your volume low so you do not disturb other trail users.

Step 1: Pick a Route

There are two available:

• Route 1 is a 1-hour trail that uses non-paved, rugged walkways on campus and requires the use of stairs.
• Route 2 is a 30-minute, mobility-device accessible trail that uses paved walkways on campus.
• If you are short on time, you can also complete a Minute Meditation

Step 2: Go to the First Location on the trail as indicated on the map.

Step 3:  Find the activity sign, scan the QR code and read or listen to the directions to get started! Each location has a unique code and activity.

Step 4: Start walking toward the next map location as you do the activity. (remember this is your adventure so you can use an activity again or skip signs too).

Step 5: Take a picture of yourself at the end of your walk or your favorite natural feature from your walk, and share on social media with the hashtag #ecotherapy and tag @bubewell and @butler_sustainability.

Step 6: Leave no trace on the trail to minimize impacts to natural areas on campus and ensure consideration of other trail users.

Step 7: Complete the survey so we can improve the trails.