ISFT
The 7th ISFT Congress
will explore the intersection of forests and health, with a focus on product development and marketing, as well as children's health. Over three days, participants can take part in scientific presentations, workshops, and best practice excursions, exchanging ideas and fostering collaborations. This year’s event again aims to bridge science, practice, and innovation, providing a renewed platform for developing sustainable solutions and advancing forest/nature-based and health-focused initiatives.
About ISFT
The International Society of Forest Therapy (ISFT) is a global organization dedicated to advancing the scientific understanding and practical application of forests’ health benefits. Founded by leading experts in medicine, forestry, and public health, ISFT promotes evidence-based research on the therapeutic and preventive potential of forests.
To foster international exchange, share expertise, and showcase best practices, ISFT established the ISFT Congress as a recurring event. This congress serves as a platform for scientists, practitioners, and policymakers to discuss the latest findings, develop innovative solutions, and strengthen the integration of nature-based health approaches worldwide.
Program
Preliminary Program overview
Venue
Prof. Dr. Won Sop Shin is a leading expert in the field of forest therapy and human health. He currently holds a professorship in the Department of Forestry at Chungbuk National University (South Korea), where he also leads the Graduate Program in Forest Therapy. His academic work is grounded in over three decades of research, particularly focused on the psychological, physiological, and social effects of forests on human well-being.
Prof. Shin earned his Ph.D. in Forestry from the University of Toronto and is affiliated as an adjunct professor with the University of British Columbia. His interdisciplinary approach combines forest science, environmental psychology, and public health.
From 2013 to 2017, he served as Minister of the Korea Forest Service. During his tenure, he was instrumental in the institutional development of forest-based health infrastructure, initiating a national program that led to the establishment of more than 50 Forest Therapy Centers throughout South Korea. His policy innovations have since influenced forest health strategies in various countries.
Prof. Shin has contributed extensively to the global discourse on nature-based health interventions, and he regularly serves as a keynote speaker at international congresses. He is a founding member of several academic societies in the field of forest medicine and is recognized for bridging evidence-based research with policy implementation.
As keynote speaker for the Opening Ceremony of the 7th ISFT Congress, Prof. Shin will offer critical insights into the role of forest ecosystems in public health systems and highlight the potential of forest therapy as a formalized component of preventive medicine and environmental health policy.
Alex Gesse is the Executive Director of the Forest Therapy Hub and leads the Forest Therapy Institute Lab. Together with a multidisciplinary team, he has developed the FTHub Method, the LIM Model, and the 5 Components of Nature-Based Interventions—integrative approaches that combine scientific evidence on nature and health with traditional nature-connectedness practices.
He currently leads for FTHub’s NATURELAB, a European Union and UK -funded research project with a €6 million grant, focusing on the design, implementation, and validation of nature-based therapies.
Additionally, he co-leads PHorestAll, a European Union-funded research project with a €1 million grant, which explores the connection between forest health, biodiversity, and human well-being to identify “Healing Forests” and promote forests as nature-based solutions for global health and environmental challenges. Although both projects are funded by the European Union, they are being carried out in Europe, Asia, and America.
At FTHub, he also collaborates in other key initiatives such as FOREST4YOUTH, a European Union-funded research project with a €3.5 million grant, focused on forest-based health interventions aimed at youth.
Miguel Ribeiro holds a master’s degree in Management Control by the Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, a degree in Tourism Management and Planning by the University of Aveiro and a post-graduation in Audit and Management Control at Polytechnic Institute of Leiria.
His professional course includes Fundão Turismo, E.M. and the Fundão Municipality, where he was producer of IMAGO – International Young Film and Video Festival and Head of Culture Division. He also worked at m|i|mo – museum of moving image, in Leiria, and later assumed the coordination of the Colective Efficiency Strategy PROVERE iNature over 10 years, centered on the development of Nature-based Tourism on protected areas on the Centro de Portugal region.
This led him to be later the Executive Director of Destinature – Agency for the Development of Nature Tourism.
In 2024, he assumed a new role as a consultant at INOVA+, a leading innovation consultancy company, ensuring the representation of the services portfolio of INOVA+ in the context of the regional ecosystem of innovation, entrepreneurship and development.
He is currently the coordinating researcher of the Biodiversa+ funded project PHorestAll – Planetary Health by Healing Forests as Nature-based Solution, along with partners from Portugal, Poland, Slovenia, Lithuania and Taiwan.
Prof. Dr. Norbert Weber is Chairholder of Forest Policy and Resource Economics at TUD – Dresden University of Technology, Germany. He has been acting as Head of the Department of Forest Sciences at TUD from 2022-2025 and Dean of Studies from 2009-2016. His research is situated in the field of forest and environmental policy, partly with a coordinator role in European networks in research (e.g. Principal Coordinator of EU-Project Dendromass4Europe 2017-2022) and teaching (President of SILVA Network 2017-2025). His special interest lies in policy formulation, communication, implementation and coherence in multi-level systems in Europe. Besides, he has been active as a reviewer for many scientific journals as well as project evaluator for national research institutions.
Professional Education
- Appointment as University Professor (2005)
- Habilitation (post doctoral lecture qualification) in Forest and Environmental Policy (2004)
- PhD in Forest Sciences: Dr. rer. silv. (1993)
- Higher State Exam in Forestry: Grosse Forstliche Staatspruefung (1988)
- University Degree in Forest Sciences: Diplom-Forstwirt (1986)
Dr Stefanie Frech, biologist, heads the International Certification Office Healing Forests at BioCon Valley® GmbH and works as a referent in the field of health economy. She has many years of experience in university research in the fields of life sciences and health care research and combines this scientific expertise with practical application, which she has acquired through her work in the biotechnology sector, particularly in the areas of sales, customer acquisition and scientific customer support in Germany and abroad.
BioCon Valley® GmbH contributes its international expertise in the field of forests and health to several international projects (e.g. Naturelab, Forest4Youth), either as an associated partner or as a member of advisory boards. As a regional network for health economy, BioCon Valley® GmbH also represents the healing forest topic in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.
Location:
Kurzentrum Waren
Am Kurpark 2
17192 Waren
Why are we hosting the ISFT Congress in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern?
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, located in northeastern Germany, is renowned for its pristine natural landscapes, making it an ideal setting for the ISFT Congress. The region offers expansive and old forests, over 2,000 lakes, and a rich biodiversity, perfect for discussions on the preventive and the therapeutic potential of forests. Hosting the congress here allows participants to experience firsthand the environments that underscore our research and the efforts our network undertakes. Additionally, the state's commitment to environmental conservation and sustainable tourism aligns seamlessly with the congress's objectives, providing an inspiring context for our collective exploration into forest-based health benefits.
Nestled in the heart of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Waren is a charming town, known for its natural beauty and central location in north-eastern Germany. Situated on the shores of the Müritz, Germany's largest lake, also known as the “small sea”, Waren offers a tranquil setting surrounded by water and lush landscapes. It is also the gateway to the Müritz National Park, a UNESCO-listed gem that preserves primary forests, crystal-clear lakes, and diverse wildlife, including rare birds and majestic red deer. There are two special woodland areas in the town itself: the Kurwald Waren, a “cure forest” for relaxation and regeneration, and the Heilwald Waren, a healing forest used for therapeutic purposes. Trainers offer guided activities that promote mental and physical well-being.
Thanks to its central location in northeastern Germany, Waren is easy to reach and yet retains its peaceful charm. The beautiful backdrop, the charming waterfront, and the proximity to the pure nature of the Mecklenburg Lake District make the town an ideal venue for the 7th ISFT Congress. Whether you are looking for inspiration, peace and quiet, or contact with other professionals, Waren offers the perfect setting for our event.
Founded in 1990, the Müritz National Park is Germany's largest terrestrial national park, encompassing over 130 lakes, ancient beech forests, and mysterious moors. Located to the east of the “small sea”, the park is a haven for nature lovers. Visitors can explore the diverse landscapes on extensive hiking and cycling trails, observe rare bird species and immerse themselves in the tranquil natural surroundings.
The establishment of therapeutic and healing forests characterises the town of Waren’s commitment to health and wellness tourism. The Kurwald located near Fontanestraße offers opportunities for mindfulness training, meditation, and relaxation in nature. The Heilwald near the Müritz Clinic in Klink offers therapeutic trails that promote health and well-being. These two forests are part of a larger network in the Mecklenburg Lake District region that emphasises the integration of natural spaces into health practices. The deliberate design of such areas to support therapeutic activities underlines the region's innovative approach to combining natural beauty with health promotion.
Here is an overview of recommended hotels. Please note that the hotels will only reserve their rooms until May 31, 2025. If you book later, we cannot guarantee availability. This list includes details on the number of rooms, walking distance to the congress venue, and links to each hotel's website:
The vacation apartments from „Urlaub-Rund-Um-Die-Müritz“ for 2-4 persons are located approximately 10 to maximum 20 minutes on foot from the congress venue.
Please note that the walking times are approximate and may vary depending on individual walking speeds and the specific route taken. For SPA-Hotel Amsee and Schlosshotel Klink, as it is not within walking distance, alternative transportation options will be considered.
Feel free to reach out if you need more details or assistance with booking these accommodations!
Dear participants,
Forests play a crucial role not only in biodiversity conservation and climate regulation but also in human health and well-being. Scientific research increasingly highlights their physiological and psychological benefits. The need for interdisciplinary collaboration between forestry, medicine, and health sciences is undeniable.
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern has been a pioneer in integrating forests into health promotion. Under my leadership, the state revised its Forest Act in 2011, paving the way for new uses such as cure and healing forests. In 2017, this led to the designation of Germany’s first certified healing forest in Heringsdorf, followed by the organization of the first international congress on the health potential of forests, which brought together experts from 15 countries. In the last years the the network and scientific interest in this field have continued to grow, making the congress an attended event. This commitment to forest-based health initiatives makes Mecklenburg-Vorpommern an ideal venue for this year’s 7th International Congress on Forest and Its Potential for Health.
With a focus on children’s health and the development of forest-based health products and services, this congress fosters scientific exchange. I thank the International Society of Forest Therapy (ISFT) and all contributing partners for organizing this important event. I wish all participants productive discussions and new insights that will help shape the future of forest-based health research and applications.
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