About
Purpose:
- Carolina Wilderness Renewal exists to provide opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds and situations to learn about and experience the physical, mental, and spiritual benefits of time spent in natural settings, free from the distractions of human busyness we find ourselves in.
What We Do:
Carolina Wilderness Renewal offers programs and experiences designed for and geared toward multiple audiences, especially those in helping professions including education, medicine, and public service. People in these fields are susceptible to what is known as vicarious stress – they not only have their own burdens, they also frequently take on those for whom they care – which can lead to compassion fatigue and increase the likelihood of burnout.
Why We Do It:
- Many of us are increasingly exhausted, anxious, and emotionally spent from work demands, family, church, and civic obligations, and technology dependence.
- Withdrawal from life responsibilities and avoidance of stress are not realistic options for most; however, regular and intentional periods of rest, contemplation, and restoration can provide the renewal necessary to effectively fulfill the roles we find ourselves in.
- The natural world is physically, mentally, and spiritually therapeutic and time spent in wilderness settings, both in community and in solitude, is beneficial.
Facilitators
Rocky Nation, M.Ed., Ph.D. - Founder
Rocky holds an M.Ed. in Natural Science Education from Converse College and a Ph.D. in Zoology/Community Ecology from Clemson University and is a certified Mindfulness-Based Ecotherapy Facilitator. He is currently Associate Professor of Biology at Anderson University in Anderson, SC. His current research interests include quantifying physiological responses to mindfulness and forest therapy practices. In addition to academic interests and outdoor pursuits, Rocky serves on the boards of the Foothills Trail Conservancy and Rocky River Conservancy.
Jeanne Malmgren, M.Ed., LPC
Jeanne holds an M.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Clemson University and is a nationally board-certified counselor (NCC) and Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). She is a member of the South Carolina Association of Licensed Professional Counselors and American Mental Health Counselors Association. Jeanne has also received post-graduate training in art therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), and is a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional. Most importantly for our purposes, Jeanne is also a Certified Clinical Ecotherapist and practices nature-based therapy in outdoor settings around the Upstate.