Events
Experiences & Events Come gather with us.
Silent walks, signed arts nights, and slow time outdoors, held across the season in Melrose and Gainesville.
Upcoming
What's on this season.
FeaturedIn-Person Events
Wildflowers Gathering in Silence Weekend
An experimental, donation-based weekend on the land, where we try out new activities together. Limited to 10 guests.
$100 holds your spot and counts toward your donation. Refundable, minus processing fees, until Thursday, November 5 (15 days before); after that, it becomes part of your donation.
Hold my spotThe Wild Cypress offers nature-based guidance, not therapy or medical care. Read our disclaimer.
In-Person Events
A slow guided walk through the pines, with tea at the end.
In-Person Events
An experimental, donation-based weekend on the land, where we try out new activities together. Limited to 10 guests.
In-Person Events
An open night of signed poetry, story, and performance.
See all dates
In-Person Events
A walk through the meadow with sketchbooks and no hurry.
In-Person Events
The longest night, walked without spoken language.
Retreats
A retreat on the land where talking pauses and connection doesn't. Through forest walks, gesture, simple signs, play, and long stretches of shared quiet, you'll learn what it feels like to be understood without words. No signing experience needed. Limited to 10 guests. Lodging and meals about $500.
In-Person Events
As part of the 6 month training certification to become an ANFT guide, an 4 day in-person immersion is offered to deepen the practice of forest therapy. Participants will learn the standard sequence, techniques for slowing down, practice guiding, and explore our relationships with the land and each other.
Where we gather
Tap a pin to see what’s happening in each place.
Event Types
Three kinds of gathering.
Silence
Natural Stillness
Silent walks, sit spots, and forest therapy. The slow heart of the work.
In ASL
Natural Expression
Signed poetry, story, sketching, and ASL Slam nights.
Natural Abilities
Sensory exploration, Protactile Nature connection, and outdoor days.
Past Events
Previously.
In-Person Events
Celebrate International Forest Bathing Day by experiencing a soundwalk
In-Person Events
For those who want to immerse themselves in the forest, explore Nature Therapy, herbalism, yoga, and other nature-based offerings.
In-Person Events
In-Person Events
Sea Turtles will be hosting a Guided Walk at Princess Place Preserve
In-Person Events
2nd Part of Nature and Forest Therapy guide training requirements to get certified by Association of Nature and Forest Therapy
See all past events
2026 · 8 events
In-Person Events
Celebrate International Forest Bathing Day by experiencing a soundwalk
In-Person Events
For those who want to immerse themselves in the forest, explore Nature Therapy, herbalism, yoga, and other nature-based offerings.
In-Person Events
In-Person Events
Sea Turtles will be hosting a Guided Walk at Princess Place Preserve
In-Person Events
2nd Part of Nature and Forest Therapy guide training requirements to get certified by Association of Nature and Forest Therapy
In-Person Events
A new music festival celebrating Nature, Community, and Music in Melrose, FL
In-Person Events
In-Person Events
Experience Forest Bathing in Silence (with American Sign Language!) with guides in training
Before You Come
Booking and cancellation.
- How to book
- Sessions: book and pay through our booking calendar; your spot is confirmed when payment goes through. Retreats and gatherings: register or place a deposit on the event page. Organizations: start an inquiry; a 50% deposit holds your date.
- To cancel or reschedule
- Send us a message through the contact form.
Read the full policy
- Retreats
- 30 or more days before: full refund, minus processing fees · 15 to 30 days before: 50% refund, minus processing fees · under 15 days, or no-show: no refund.
- Donation-based gatherings
- Your deposit is refundable, minus processing fees, until 15 days before the gathering. After that, it becomes part of your donation.
- Private and group sessions
- More than 7 days before: full refund · 2 to 7 days before: 50% refund · under 48 hours, or no-show: full fee.
- Community walks
- Full refund up to 48 hours before. After that, a credit toward a future walk.
- Organizations
- A 50% deposit holds your date. It is refundable 30 or more days before; within 30 days, you can move the date once within 6 months.
- Weather
- Sessions are held rain or shine. If you cancel because of rain, you receive a voucher for a future session. If we cancel for unsafe conditions such as lightning, high winds, hurricanes, or flooding, you choose a full refund or a new date.
- If we cancel a retreat
- If an emergency such as a natural disaster or public health crisis forces us to cancel, you choose a full refund, minus processing fees, or a transfer to the new date.
- Good to know
- Refunds are processed within 30 days of your request. We always welcome rescheduling over cancelling, and we encourage travel insurance for retreats.
FAQ
Questions we get asked.
Do I need to know sign language to come?
Not for most events. Silence events need no language at all; gestures and a few simple signs are part of the day. Events tagged “In ASL” are held in sign language, and our guide training immersions require conversational signing skills.
What should I bring?
Comfortable shoes, water, layers, and a rain jacket, since we walk in light rain. Bring a yoga mat or sit pad too. There are a few benches at the sit spots, but most sitting happens on the ground.
How accessible is the trail?
At Wildflowers Meadows, the trail is a series of short loops, under a mile in all. The ground is mostly flat, with some sand, roots, and grass. A few benches wait at the sit spots, and some areas are wheelchair accessible. There are two restrooms: one ADA accessible with a ramp, and an outhouse. If you use a wheelchair, contact us before you come. We’ll plan your route with you and can connect you with organizations that may lend an adaptive trail chair. For walks at other sites, ask us about the terrain.
What happens if it rains?
We walk in light rain; it’s part of the experience. If the weather looks unsafe, we’ll send a heads-up by text and email by 8 pm the night before, and make the final call two hours before start time. Our cancellation policy explains what happens to your booking.
Can I bring my children?
Yes. Children are welcome when a parent or guardian stays with them the whole time and signs a waiver for them. For silent walks, we gently suggest leaving little ones at home with a caregiver. Silence is rare and precious, and it’s hard to find with small children nearby.
Can I bring my dog?
We love dogs, but caring for a pet can pull you out of the practice, so please leave yours at home. Trained service animals are always welcome. If you have an emotional support animal, let us know before you come.
Can I bring an interpreter?
Our events are held in sign language. If you’d like a sign language interpreter to help you communicate, you’re welcome to bring one, and we’re happy to recommend people we trust. Some events include interpreters; we arrange them case by case, so ask when you register.