Branches & Breath
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Western Red Cedar: A Keystone Species of the Pacific Northwest
BOTANICAL PROFILE: WESTERN RED CEDAR (Thuja plicata) Classification Family: Cupressaceae (Cypress family) Genus: Thuja Species: plicata Common Names: Western Red Cedar, Giant Arborvitae, Pacific Red Cedar, Shinglewood Theophrastus,…
4 min read
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A Walk Through Orchard Park: Trees, Trails, and a Sitka Surprise
Orchard Park is a 20-acre gem tucked into Hillsboro, Oregon. While it’s known to many as a disc golf course, I was there for the trees—and to meander…
4 min read
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Among Friends: A Day on Cooper Mountain
Today the sun returned—warm and steady, like an old friend we hadn’t seen in a while. Spring in Oregon can be shy, retreating behind clouds for weeks at…
4 min read
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Nature Deficit Disorder: Healing in the Woods
There’s a quiet joy in hearing the rustle of leaves, feeling the sun on your face, or noticing a bird’s call echo through the trees. These moments, small…
4 min read
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Nature as Therapist: The Science Behind Shinrin-Yoku
There’s something deeply reassuring about walking among trees. The hush of the forest, the dappling of light through leaves, the earthy scent of soil—these moments feel like balm…
4 min read
“Forest bathing is the art of immersing yourself in nature, using all your senses to soak in the sights, sounds, and scents of the forest—bringing calm to the mind and healing to the body.”