Take a break from life’s fast pace and experience the health benefits of birdwatching with “Health Benefits of Birding & Birdsong,” a free program on Thursday, November 14 from 1:30–3:30 p.m. at Los Alamos Nature Center. The Pajarito Environmental Education Center (PEEC) and Los Alamos Retired and Senior Organization, along with Friends of Bosque Del Apache, invite the community to this insightful program, sharing how time with wild birds can improve mental, emotional, and physical well-being.
In this session, participants will learn how connecting with birds and nature helps reduce stress, anxiety, and depression while building a stronger heart and immune system. Birdwatching offers a unique opportunity for self-care, allowing individuals to slow down, enjoy nature, and foster a sense of stewardship toward the environment.
About the Presenter:
Holly Merker, a nature-based wellness specialist and professional birding guide, will lead this event. A global advocate for “Mindful Birding,” Merker has co-authored Ornitherapy: For Your Mind, Body, and Soul (Crossley Books, 2021) and The Power of Birdwatching (Freya Verlag, 2023). She is also the co-host of the Mindful Birding Podcast and founder of the Mindful Birding Network. Her work, which combines backgrounds in art therapy, forest therapy, and wellness counseling, earned her the American Birding Association’s Conservation and Education Award in 2022.Join Holly Merker in discovering how birds can be a powerful source of wellness and inspiration, helping us reconnect with nature and ourselves.For more information, visit our website at peecnature.org/events. Stay connected with us on social media for updates on each week’s activities.