As Frances Lindner pauses to touch the giant red cedar in front of Goward House, she explains the energy in the natural environment that’s there to nurture us.
Connecting with the natural environment is an ongoing process for Lindner, a mother who left a career in the banking world to find a better balance.
She’s the driving force behind Root, the community event that spans this weekend, April 7 to 9, in and around Goward House and its enchanted forest grounds. Proceeds from the $20 Friday night dinner will benefit the Ancient Forest Alliance while part of the $5 entrance fees for the Saturday and Sunday workshops will benefit the Vancouver Island Surfrider Foundation.
“The point of Root is slowing down and knowing our environment is there to nurture us and us to nurture it,” Lindner says.
As she walks through the Goward House forest Lindner touches each tree she points out, including a grove of towering cottonwood trees, connecting with their energy.
“For us to be here on Earth, we should realize the environment around us is a part of our life,” Lindner said. “To not recognize it leaves a void.”
This is the third go-round for Root, which Lindner organized at Goward twice in 2016, April and September.
The weekend starts with dinner Friday evening, a vegetarian meal accompanied by local Island musicians. Bring your own plates and forks, it’s a zero-waste mentality.
“We were a little worried at the last event but everybody brought their plates, everyone came through,” Lindner said.
Throughout the weekend a marketplace will host exhibitors, healers and readers, and a cafe hosted by Ingredients (Store Street).
“Wisdom keepers and facilitators will host forest walks, give inspiring talks and offer insights about this exquisite planet we all share,” Lindner said. That includes a new feature of three ‘forest rewilding’ sessions for children, as well as an opportunity for all to contribute to a collective art piece stationed in the garden area.
Among the workshops is forest bathing with Reed Richard, sacred drumming with Carol Weaver and herbal wisdom and plant energy with Della Rice-Sylvester.
All workshops are drop-in, just pay $5 at the door and show up.
For more information visit rootvictoria.com.