We are excited to be continuing our Neurodivergent in Nature walk series, this time at Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary!
Head to the Swan Lake site to register – here is the information from Swan Lake’s website:
Description
Join Lynden for a low-pressure guided nature walk at Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary
Join us for a low-pressure guided nature walk at Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary. Participants will walk on trails and paths starting from the Teaching Shelter down to the floating boardwalk and back. Through a series of guiding prompts, Lynden will welcome participants to use their senses to connect with nature.
This walk will be done mostly in quiet (although vocal stimming is absolutely welcome!) with an optional share back time at the end. Meet new people, or don’t! You can show up in a way that feels comfortable to you.
This event is geared towards neurodivergent adults but anyone who would like to join is welcome. Individuals under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.More details and accessibility information can be found below.
The event will last approximately one hour.
This program takes part entirely outdoors. Please check in at the Nature House for the start of the program.
Where: Swan Lake Nature House – 3873 Swan Lake Road
When: Saturday, September 19, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Who: Adults (people ages 16+; Individuals under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.)
Cost: By Donation (recommended contribution of $10 to $20 per participant)
About your facilitator: Lynden P.
Lynden (they/them) is an queer, trans Autistic advocate living on Lekwungen and W̱SÁNEĆ territories. They bring 7+ years of facilitation experience and a warm, curious and trauma-informed approach.
They have a long-standing special interest in plants. They have worked in agriculture, food systems and as a nature-based educator. They are a life-long student of herbalism, botany, and decolonial land connection.
They are very excited to welcome participants to the first version of this walk! Based on their own experiences of healing from Autistic burnout through nature connection, their goal is to create a space for participants to connect with land through the seasons and without the pressures of neurotypical social demands.
Head to the Swan Lake site to register
Note: this event is Pay What You Can, registration is free and you can donate between $10-$20 to Swan Lake.
Hi Lynden and Hannah,
My mother and I really enjoyed our walk with you yesterday. At 85, my mom had never done a sensory walk before, and she wanted me to let you know that it was very memorable for her.
For me, I had this lovely experience of looking around and realizing that, as a new EA in the school system, the people I was meeting with are becoming my new community. It was very cool to feel that.
It also got me thinking about some of the similarities between people with cognitive differences that fall outside the mainstream, including people with dementia and people who are neurodivergent. I’m sure someone has done a thesis on the subject!
Well done, both of you. As I mentioned during the event, the highlight for me was definitely the deer-ears exercise. 🦌
Thanks again for creating such a thoughtful experience, and for the delicious snacks!