CiNCA Equity Series: Healing with Nature – A Social Justice Framework

Hosted by the Children In Nature Collaborative of Austin (CiNCA) –

A workshop facilitated by Starla Simmons, LCSW, on the power of nature to heal & how people of color have leaned on Mother Earth to thrive

About this Event

We depend on nature for our health, well-being, and survival. There is a growing body of research that proves the many benefits of spending time in nature from simply walking in the park to using clinical ecotherapy interventions. Using a social justice lens, this engaging and interactive presentation will inspire you think critically about historical traumas that have impacted the relationship communities of color have with nature. We will talk about the power of nature to heal individuals & communities, while honoring the ways people of color have always leaned on Mother Earth to thrive.
*BYOL – Bring Your Own Lunch! Some snacks & drinks provided.
You can RSVP here.
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Join the CiNCA for this workshop facilitated by Starla Simmons, LCSW, Clinical Assistant Professor and Field Liaison at the UT Steve Hicks School of Social Work. Starla has a passion for supporting the vitality and resilience of communities of color. She is experienced in holistic practices such as eco-therapy, mindfulness and TBRI (Trust-based Relational Intervention). In addition to direct services, she worked as the liaison and coordinator for AISD’s school mental health centers, providing consultation and operational support for school-based therapy services at 19 middle and high schools.
Currently, Starla is a member of the Texas Ecotherapy Collective and serves as a faculty liaison for the Environmental Justice and Eco-therapy Student Organization at UT. Previously, she served as an Austin leader for the national non-profit Outdoor Afro, which celebrates and inspires Black leadership in nature, and as board chair for Mama Sana Vibrant Woman, a local non-profit that provides pregnancy and birth support to women of color.