Science On Tap
June 15th - Where Energy Meets Science: The Connection Between Nature and Wellbeing
Where Energy Meets Science: The Connection Between Nature and Wellbeing
Presenters: Marilyne Carrey (Moderator and Co-speaker) & Heather of the Forest (Co-speaker)
What if spending time in nature wasn’t just enjoyable, but essential to our health?
Join us for an engaging and thought-provoking conversation that explores the growing intersection between science, wellbeing, and our relationship with the natural world. This dialogue brings together perspectives from sustainability science and experiential practice to examine how, and why, nature supports human health.
From emerging approaches like Park Prescriptions (PaRx) and Conservation Passes to questions about connection, perception, and reciprocity, this session invites you to reflect on your own relationship with nature. Along the way, we’ll explore both evidence-based insights and more expanded ideas, such as whether plants communicate and what it means to truly “listen” to the ecosystems around us.
Designed for a broad audience, this event aims to bring science into the community in an accessible and engaging way, while encouraging meaningful dialogue across different perspectives.
What to Expect:
- A dynamic and conversational format
- Light audience interaction and reflection
- A balance of scientific evidence and lived experience
- A welcoming, informal atmosphere
Whether you’re curious or already well connected to nature, this conversation offers something for everyone!
About The Presenters
Marilyne Carrey, PhD (Moderator and Co-Speaker)
Marilyne Carrey is an Associate Professor in the Environmental Sustainability Research Centre (ESRC) where she serves as Graduate Program Director for two of the ESRC’s graduate programs. Her research program is largely focused on using a sustainability science approach to the application and use of geospatial technologies to study urban forests, wetlands, and grassland ecosystems and their change over time. She is committed to making her research relevant to the wider community by engaging with local communities through innovative community engagement partnerships, collaborations and other initiatives.
Known for her engaging and approachable style, Marilyne Carrey is committed to bringing academic conversations beyond the university and into the broader community. In this event, she brings scientific insight, thoughtful inquiry, and curiosity to the discussion.
Heather Stuart | Founder of The Forest (Co-Speaker)
Heather Stuart is the founder of The Forest, a private, 15-acre nature-based wellness and leadership space in Cambridge, Ontario. Her work sits at the intersection of science, human behaviour and the measurable energetic benefits of nature connection.
With over two decades of experience as an Environmental Scientist and corporate executive, Heather built her career grounded in data, systems thinking and complex problem solving. She worked extensively with multidisciplinary teams, stakeholders, rightsholders and the public, developing a deep understanding of how people think, communicate and respond under pressure. Through this work, she also observed something less often spoken about in professional environments: the energetic impact that stress, interaction and the environment have on the human body.
This awareness became a turning point.
Today, through The Forest, Heather translates both scientific understanding and intuitive insight into practical, accessible experiences that support regulation, clarity and connection. Her work is rooted in the understanding that humans are not separate from their environment, and that the nervous system responds to nature in measurable ways, influencing stress levels, cognitive function, emotional balance and overall wellbeing.
Whether working with corporate teams, community groups or individuals, Heather brings a unique ability to bridge evidence-based understanding with experiential practice.
