The Nature of Brain Health

16 days ago

When

Wednesday, June 3rd 2026 at 17:00 US/Central

Hickory Knolls Discovery Center

Talk and Nature Therapy Experience

The Alzheimer’s Association and The Conservation Foundation are partnering for Brain Health Awareness Month to share how you can support brain health in your community.

The event will start with a short talk on supporting your brain health, followed by putting one of the practices into action with a guided nature therapy experience, provided by one of The Conservation Foundation’s certified forest therapy guides.

This event and the Forest Therapy experience included can be adapted for all mobility levels. If you have any allergies, dietary restrictions, health, or mobility issues that might come into play, please note them here so we can create a safe experience for all of us.

Hosted in partnership with:

Alzheimer's Association and Hickory Knolls Discovery Center

FAQ Did you know?

Awareness Wellness Conservation Nature BrainHealth

Where

3795 Campton Hills Road, St. Charles, IL, USA

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Event Stats

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Organizer

The Conservation Foundation

Simply put, we save land and we save rivers, and we’ve been at it for more than 50 years. Founded in 1972, The Conservation Foundation is one of the region’s oldest and largest not-for-profit land and watershed conservation organizations dedicated to preserving and restoring open space, protecting rivers and watersheds and promoting stewardship of the environment in northeastern Illinois. We focus our work in DuPage, Kane, Kendall and Will Counties, but have also had the honor of working on significant projects in Cook, DeKalb, Grundy and LaSalle Counties.

FAQ

What is the goal of this event and how does it support brain health?

The event combines a short educational talk with a guided nature therapy experience to highlight evidence-based ways to support brain health—social connection, physical activity, stress reduction, and sensory engagement in natural settings. Attendees will learn practical practices they can use individually and promote in their communities.

How can I get the most benefit from the guided nature therapy experience?

Be present and follow the certified forest therapy guide: slow down, minimize phone use, engage your senses, and practice the short exercises the guide offers. Move at your own pace, ask questions, and reflect on any feelings or insights you want to apply afterward.

How can I support brain health in my community after the event?

Share what you learned with family and neighbors, organize or join walking and social groups, partner with local senior centers or schools for intergenerational activities, promote time in green spaces, and connect with the Alzheimer’s Association or The Conservation Foundation to volunteer, host workshops, or amplify their programs.

Are there precautions I should take for allergies, mobility, or weather?

Yes—notify organizers in advance about allergies, dietary or mobility needs so accommodations can be made. Dress in layers and wear sturdy shoes; bring water, any necessary medications (inhalers, EpiPen), sunscreen, and insect repellent. The experience can be adapted for different mobility levels—if the forecast calls for extreme heat, storms, or poor air quality, organizers will advise adjusted plans or alternatives.

I want to help beyond attending—what are practical ways to support the Alzheimer’s Association and The Conservation Foundation?

Sign up for their newsletters, follow and share their social posts, volunteer at events, join or start local advocacy or fundraising efforts, donate if you can, and propose partnerships with community groups or employers to expand brain-health and nature-access programs.

Did you know?

Spending at least 120 minutes a week in natural settings is associated with greater well‑being and improved mental health — a small regular nature habit can support attention and mood.

White MP, Alcock I, Grellier J, et al. Spending at least 120 minutes a week in nature is associated with good health and wellbeing. Sci Rep. 2019;9:7730. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-019-44097-3

A short walk in a natural environment can reduce rumination and lower activity in brain regions linked to depression and anxiety — nature walks are a practical way to protect cognitive‑emotional health.

Bratman GN, Hamilton JP, Daily GC. The impacts of nature experience on human cognitive function and mental health. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2015;112(28):8567–8572. https://www.pnas.org/content/112/28/8567

Regular physical activity is one of the strongest modifiable factors linked to lower risk of cognitive decline and dementia — outdoor group walks and gentle activity are an easy, social way to get moving.

The Lancet Commission on dementia prevention, intervention, and care. 2020. https://www.thelancet.com/series/dementia2020

Social connection and participation in community activities are associated with better cognitive outcomes and lower dementia risk — joining group nature events boosts both brain health and social ties.

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults: Opportunities for the Health Care System. 2020. https://www.nap.edu/catalog/25663/social-isolation-and-loneliness-in-older-adults-opportunities-for

Poor sleep is linked to buildup of brain waste (including beta‑amyloid) that relates to Alzheimer’s risk; activities that reduce stress and promote routine sleep — such as time outdoors and moderate exercise — can help support restorative sleep.

Xie L, Kang H, Xu Q, et al. Sleep drives metabolite clearance from the adult brain. Science. 2013;342(6156):373–377. https://science.sciencemag.org/content/342/6156/373; Alzheimer’s Association: Sleep and Alzheimer’s. https://www.alz.org/help-support/brain_health/sleep

Higher adherence to Mediterranean or MIND dietary patterns is associated with slower cognitive decline and lower risk of Alzheimer's disease — combining healthy eating with nature‑based activity supports overall brain health.

Sofi F, Macchi C, Abbate R, et al. Mediterranean diet and cognitive function: a systematic review. Nutrients. 2010–2020 reviews; see summary: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7071229/