Spirit & Place, IU Indianapolis

Forest Bathing to Nourish the Mind, Body, & Soul
2023-11-12 08:00 - 09:30 (America/Indiana/Indianapolis) | Crown Hill Cemetery – Waiting Station, 3402 Boulevard Pl., Indianapolis, IN, 46208, United States
SOLD OUT. Please contact event organizers to inquire about a waitlist.

ASL Upon Request by Oct. 27.
Enjoy a 60-minute guided walk through Crown Hill Cemetery’s Arboretum that will nourish an appreciation for the benefits of nature.
“Forest bathing” promotes interaction between humans and wooded spaces, which is deeply needed in a culture that too often sees nature as a commodity to be bought, sold, transformed, and used. Studies have shown the health benefits of being in nature – it can lower blood pressure, calm heart rates, and reduce levels of harmful hormones all while helping individuals form stronger connections to their communities. Led by a guide certified by the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Guides and Programs, this event invites you to listen to nature, savor the sounds and smells of the outdoors, and be mindful of the ways nature can nourish the mind, body, and soul.
Questions? Contact 317-920-2644 or jrdinius@crownhill.org.
Event Partners: Crown Hill Heritage Foundation, Indiana DNR—Division of Forestry, and Wanderwood Studio.
Event Registration: Due limited space, registration is required. Walk-in guests cannot be accommodated.

Walks & Arts
2024-11-09 07:00 - 10:00 | Peace Learning Center at Eagle Creek Park, 6040 DeLong Rd., Indianapolis, 46254, United States
Participate in a guided and reflective walk through scenic Eagle Creek Park followed by creative opportunities to honor and express gratitude including a sound bath, visual art, poetry, and movement.
Upon arrival participants will be led on a gratitude walk through scenic Eagle Creek Park. (Gratitude walks will depart at multiple times during the event’s 3-hour window.) Afterwards, attendees will be invited to express their gratitude with a range of options including writing stations, dance and movement instruction, sound/listening areas, and visual arts. A joyous but reflective event, we recognize some participants may find themselves grateful for the memories of a passed loved one. There will also be a listening circle for anyone dealing with grief. Truly, all are welcome!
Participate in a guided and reflective walk through scenic Eagle Creek Park followed by the below creative programs:

“Moving Through Gratitude” sponsored by ARThentic Arts featuring TaKisha Jones of MpoweredtobE
Sound bath & light yoga with The Yoga Lady
A poetry experience led by Brickstreet Poetry
Visual art with ceramics with Sarah Zuniga, the outreach director of Allisonville Christian Church

Questions?: Contact 317-327-7144 or ajackson@peacelearningcenter.org.
Event Organizers: A partnership between Peace Learning Center, Brick Street Poetry, Allisonville Christian Church, Brooke’s Place, The Yoga Lady, and ARThentic Arts.
Registration: Registration required to receive a complimentary pass into Eagle Creek Park. Use the blue button below to register.

The Nature of Us: Weaving Ourselves into the Natural World
2025-11-08 13:00 - 15:00 | Hornet Park, 5245 Hornet Ave., Beech Grove, 46107, United States
ASL Interpreted
Explore your place in and as part of nature through hands-on activities and thoughtful inquiry. Create your own art and contribute to a collaborative weaving project, both utilizing natural materials. Engage with neighbors in prompted conversations that invite curiosity, reflection, and remembering your place in the natural world.
Step into nature and explore your place within it through hands-on creativity and guided inquiry. At this interactive experience, participants will rotate through stations to engage in thinking routines that spark reflection, collaborate on a community weaving project using natural materials, and create take-home art inspired by the surrounding landscape. Through conversation, observation, and artistic expression, guests of all ages will deepen their curiosity, connect with the natural world, and consider how their presence shapes and is shaped by it.
Questions? Contact 463-241-6090 or darren@beechgrovewellness.com.
Event Organizers: A partnership between Beech Grove Wellness, Beech Grove Parks Foundation, Hornet Park Community Center, and local artist and gardener Lorie Ann Dillbeck-Bagby.
Registration: Click here to register.

Nature & Ritual: Celebrating the Natural World while Grieving Ecological Losses
2025-11-08 13:00 - 15:30 | Holliday Park Nature Center, 6363 Spring Mill Rd., Indianapolis, 46260, United States
Limited capacity. Registration required.

Many of us feel alone in our ecological grief. Let’s take a guided, multi-sensory forest therapy walk, culminating in a community art ritual that celebrates the natural world while also acknowledging the ongoing loss of its landscapes and species.
Led by author Dheepa Maturi (108: An Eco-Thriller) and certified forest therapy practitioner Paula Goldberg, this guided walk at Holliday Park incorporates poetry, prose, and multi-sensory observation to culminate in the creation of a collaborative mandala made from natural materials. Participants contribute meaningfully to the mandala, which will later return to the earth, symbolizing the cycle of nature. The event incorporates philosophy, literature, and cross-cultural spiritual practices to reflect on ecological grief, the power of ritual, and our shared responsibility as stewards of the land. Small-group sharing and guided prompts support personal reflection and offer tools for designing individual nature rituals to carry forward beyond the event.
Date & Time Note: Saturday, Nov. 8 is the Monumental Marathon (see route map). Getting west of the river to Holliday Park may take a little extra time. Plan accordingly! (2024 Road Closure Map. We’ll post the 2025 map when it is ready.)
Questions? Contact 317-274-2462 or info@DheepaRMaturi.com.
Event Organizers: A partnership between author Dheepa R. Maturi, forest therapy practitioner Paula Goldberg, artist and ethnobotanist Shamira Wilson, and Holliday Park.
Registration: Click here to register.
Autumn leaves, laid out in the shape of heart, heart symbol

The Greencastle Urban Fossil Tour: Discover Ancient Life Around You!
2025-11-08 13:00 - 16:00 | Putnam County Museum, 1105 Jackson St., Greencastle, 46135, United States
Self-Guided Walks: Nov. 7 – 16
Guided Walks & Activities: Saturday, Nov. 8 & 15
Download a self-guided map and daily schedules by clicking here!
Join an all-ages community-wide fossil adventure blending science, nature, and art! Explore Greencastle’s buildings and the DePauw Nature Park on your own with a custom map or participate in a guided tour. Visit Fern Cliff’s vivid green sandstone, make fossil prints and poems, hear from experts, and trade your Paleo Art for a fossil cookie.
The Greencastle Urban Fossil Tour was designed with flexibility in mind!

Self-Guided Walks: Pick up a walking tour “fossil map” of downtown Greencastle and the DePauw Nature Park at the Putnam County Museum (1105 N. Jackson St.) or the Putnam County Convention & Visitors Bureau (aka, “Welcome Center,” 12 W. Washington St.). Hours vary but are open most weekdays until 3PM. After touring the area—and noting what you saw—return to the Welcome Center to collect your fossil-shaped cookie!

Saturday Sessions & Guided Walks: On Saturdays, guests and their families can attend interactive presentations at the Putnam County Museum with paleo-artist Janet Panoch (11/8) and geologist Tim Cope (11/15). Activities include fossil rubbings, art displays, short poetry exercises, and optional guided fossil walks in the DePauw Nature Park (1400 W. CR 125 S.). Saturday sessions are from 1 – 4PM. There is a more detailed agenda posted on the registration page.

Special Instructions: Please verify hours for the DePauw Nature Park, Putnam County Museum, and Putnam County Convention & Visitors Bureau before picking up a self-guided walking tour map.
Most areas on the tour are ADA compliant.
Questions? Contact 317-748-8462 or jpanoch@iu.edu.
Event Organizers: A partnership between paleo-artist Janet Panoch, Putnam County Museum, DePauw University, DePauw Geosciences Club, and The Doc’s Inn.
Registration: Click here to register.

Intro to Mindful Birding: Put Down a Field Guide, Pick Up Your Feel Guide
2025-11-09 13:30 - 16:00 | Crown Hill Cemetery – Waiting Station, 3402 Boulevard Pl., Indianapolis, IN, 46208, United States
Limited capacity. Registration required.
Mindful birding is a practice combining mindfulness with the joy of birding. Connect with the natural world and the birds that inhabit it, letting go of the need to identify (field guide), to focus on what we notice, feel, and wonder (feel guide).
Mindful Birding invites participants to slow down and connect with the natural world through attentive observation of birds and their habitats. Guided by experienced forest therapy practitioners, attendees will practice mindfulness techniques to enhance awareness, engage all senses, and cultivate a deeper appreciation for the rhythms, sounds, and beauty of local birdlife. This experience fosters calm, curiosity, and connection to both nature and community.
Questions? Contact 303-408-9158 or michmorton14@gmail.com.
Event Organizers: A partnership between Michelle Morton Forest Therapy, Witness Nature Indy, and Crown Hill Foundation.
Registration: Click here to register.

Nature Journaling
2025-11-11 10:00 - 13:00 | Broad Ripple Park, 1426 Broad Ripple Ave., Indianapolis, 46220, United States
Outdoor Experience – 3 opportunities at 3 unique venues!
Registration required.
Slow down, observe, and reconnect with nature, yourself, and others. In this guided exercise, you’ll explore the outdoors with a journal in hand, using words, pictures, and numbers to capture your experience and reflect on the wonders of the natural world.
Anyone can journal! Nature journaling is a powerful way to deepen your connection with the natural world. It blends art, science, and mindfulness by encouraging you to observe closely and record what you see, hear, and feel using words, pictures, and numbers. Whether you’re an artist, a writer, or simply someone who loves spending time outdoors, this workshop will help you see nature through a more attentive and reflective lens. We’ll begin with a 30-minute indoor* introduction to the practice of nature journaling, including simple drawing techniques and writing prompts designed to spark curiosity and insight. Then, participants will head outside to explore and journal in a nearby natural space for approximately 90 minutes. The workshop will close with time to share reflections and pages from our journals with one another.
Ideal for adults and families with older children and teens. No previous art or writing experience is necessary.
*NOTES:
The Broad Ripple Family Center will be closed in observance of Veteran’s Day. The Nov. 11 journaling session will be entirely outdoors.
There is a $7 vehicle admission fee to Mounds State Park
Questions? Contact 317-372-3936 or jettodd1@me.com.
Event Organizers: A partnership between certified nature journaling instructor James Todd, Broad Ripple Park Family Center, Holliday Park, and Mounds State Park.
Registration: Click here to register.
Event Details:
NOV. 11 — The Family Center (and its restrooms) will be closed in observance of Veterans Day. Meet at the park shelter #1.
NOV. 12 — Meet at the Mounds State Park Nature Center. Park admission is $7/per vehicle.
NOV. 13 — Meet at the Holliday Park Nature Center.

Indiana's Wetland Wonders: Connecting Communities & Nature
2025-11-11 15:00 - 18:30 | Marian University Nina Mason Pulliam EcoLab, 3200 Cold Spring Rd., Indianapolis, 46222, United States
Wetland Tour & Presentation — Choose one or both!
Registration strongly encouraged.
Discover how wetlands sustain communities by cleaning water, protecting them from floods, sheltering rare species, and more. Through an (optional) wetland tour, breathtaking photo exhibit, and three community-expert presentations, learn about ongoing wetland conservation efforts.
Indiana’s Wetland Wonders shines a spotlight on the hidden beauty and essential role of wetlands in our state. Discover how wetlands sustain biodiversity, protect water quality, and nurture both human and natural communities. This event invites you to see wetlands not just as landscapes, but as vital ecosystems worth cherishing and protecting.
Questions? Contact 219-310-9390 or miturbide@hecweb.org.
Event Organizers; A partnership between Hoosier Environmental Council, Marian University Nina Mason Pulliam EcoLab, and Wetlands not Warehouses of Franklin Township. 219-310-9390 or miturbide@hecweb.org.
Event Details:
Arrival & Parking for the Optional EcoLab Tour
The optional guided walking tour of Marian University’s full-scale restored wetland begins at 3 PM, rain or shine. Be sure to wear warm clothing and shoes that can get wet, as it may be snowy or muddy. For those with limited mobility, please note that this tour will have dirt trails with a wide clearance. We recommend parking at location 19 in the part of the lot closest to Cold Spring Road, where your tour guide will be waiting. Please see the map for more detail.
Arrival & Parking for the Panel Discussion and Photos
The panel discussion and photo exhibition begins at 4 PM at the Wood College of Osteopathic Medicine at Marian University — Building #21 on the map.
Registration: Click here to register.

Thin Spaces: Where Heaven Meets Earth
2025-11-12 09:30 - 11:00 | Fort Harrison State Park, 6000 N. Post Rd., Indianapolis, 46216, United States
Free park admission – tell gate attendant you’re there for a Spirit & Place event.
Walk through a peaceful urban park while reflecting on nature’s spiritual power. With pauses for poetry, scripture, and quiet conversation, this contemplative walk explores “thin spaces”—where heaven and earth feel especially close—and invites you to reconnect with self, spirit, and creation.
Join a contemplative walk through Fort Benjamin Harrison State Park, blending movement, reflection, and conversation. Along the Harrison Trace Trail, participants will pause for readings from Biblical and literary texts, explore “thin spaces” where the divine and natural world meet, and engage in quiet meditation. The walk concludes at the Nature Center, where participants learn about the park’s history and restoration. Gentle, reflective, and accessible, this experience invites participants to connect deeply with nature, spirituality, and community.
Questions? Contact 317-359-5467 or events@lutheranfamily.org.
Event Organizers: A partnership between Lutheran Child & Family Services of IN/KY, Inc.; Indiana Department of Natural Resources at Fort Harrison State Park; and Pastor Dave Schreiber.
Registration: Click here to register.
Event Details: Meet at the Delaware Lake parking lot. Dress for the weather!

Ft. Harrison State Park, Sven Schumacher

Nature Journaling
2025-11-12 13:00 - 16:00 | Mounds State Park, 4306 Mounds Rd., Anderson, 46017, United States
Outdoor Experience – 3 opportunities at 3 unique venues!
Registration required.
Slow down, observe, and reconnect with nature, yourself, and others. In this guided exercise, you’ll explore the outdoors with a journal in hand, using words, pictures, and numbers to capture your experience and reflect on the wonders of the natural world.
Anyone can journal! Nature journaling is a powerful way to deepen your connection with the natural world. It blends art, science, and mindfulness by encouraging you to observe closely and record what you see, hear, and feel using words, pictures, and numbers. Whether you’re an artist, a writer, or simply someone who loves spending time outdoors, this workshop will help you see nature through a more attentive and reflective lens. We’ll begin with a 30-minute indoor* introduction to the practice of nature journaling, including simple drawing techniques and writing prompts designed to spark curiosity and insight. Then, participants will head outside to explore and journal in a nearby natural space for approximately 90 minutes. The workshop will close with time to share reflections and pages from our journals with one another.
Ideal for adults and families with older children and teens. No previous art or writing experience is necessary.
*NOTES:
The Broad Ripple Family Center and restrooms will be closed in observance of Veteran’s Day. The Nov. 11 journaling session will be entirely outdoors.
There is a $7 vehicle admission fee to Mounds State Park
Questions? Contact 317-372-3936 or jettodd1@me.com.
Event Organizers: A partnership between certified nature journaling instructor James Todd, Broad Ripple Park Family Center, Holliday Park, and Mounds State Park.
Registration: Click here to register.
Event Details:
NOV. 11 — The Family Center and restroom will be closed in observance of Veterans Day. Meet at the park shelter #13.
NOV. 12 — Meet at the Mounds State Park Nature Center. Park admission is $7/per vehicle.
NOV. 13 — Meet at the Holliday Park Nature Center.

Nature Journaling
2025-11-13 10:00 - 13:00 | Holliday Park Nature Center, 6363 Spring Mill Rd., Indianapolis, 46260, United States
Outdoor Experience – 3 opportunities at 3 unique venues!
Registration required.
Slow down, observe, and reconnect with nature, yourself, and others. In this guided exercise, you’ll explore the outdoors with a journal in hand, using words, pictures, and numbers to capture your experience and reflect on the wonders of the natural world.
Anyone can journal! Nature journaling is a powerful way to deepen your connection with the natural world. It blends art, science, and mindfulness by encouraging you to observe closely and record what you see, hear, and feel using words, pictures, and numbers. Whether you’re an artist, a writer, or simply someone who loves spending time outdoors, this workshop will help you see nature through a more attentive and reflective lens. We’ll begin with a 30-minute indoor* introduction to the practice of nature journaling, including simple drawing techniques and writing prompts designed to spark curiosity and insight. Then, participants will head outside to explore and journal in a nearby natural space for approximately 90 minutes. The workshop will close with time to share reflections and pages from our journals with one another.
Ideal for adults and families with older children and teens. No previous art or writing experience is necessary.
*NOTES:
The Broad Ripple Family Center will be closed in observance of Veteran’s Day. The Nov. 11 journaling session will be entirely outdoors.
There is a $7 vehicle admission fee to Mounds State Park
Questions? Contact 317-372-3936 or jettodd1@me.com.
Event Organizers: A partnership between certified nature journaling instructor James Todd, Broad Ripple Park Family Center, Holliday Park, and Mounds State Park.
Registration: Click here to register.
Event Details:
NOV. 11 — The Family Center will be closed in observance of Veterans Day. Meet at the park shelter.
NOV. 12 — Meet at the Mounds State Park Nature Center. Park admission is $7/per vehicle.
NOV. 13 — Meet at the Holliday Park Nature Center.

Voices of the Land: A Day of Connection
2025-11-15 10:00 - 16:00 | Peace Learning Center at Eagle Creek Park, 6040 DeLong Rd., Indianapolis, 46254, United States
Park admission free with registration. Some experiences are timed — registration is encouraged.
Connect with nature through guided hikes, historical building tours, crafts, sound baths, nature journaling, and artistic performances. This family-friendly event offers flexible, hands-on experiences that deepen your relationship with the land and community.
Spend a full day immersed in nature at Peace Learning Center and Eagle Creek Park, exploring the connections between people and the land. Guided hikes, plant and wildlife identification, nature journaling, and hands-on art projects invite participants to engage creatively and mindfully with the outdoors. The day includes performances celebrating cultural heritage, an outdoor sound bath, and reflections from Native American perspectives that honor and give thanks for the land. Families and individuals of all ages are welcome to participate at their own pace, keeping in mind some experiences – like the guided walks – are timed. Details on how to make the most of your visit will be included in the confirmation materials you’ll be emailed upon registration.
Questions? Contact 317-327-7144 or ajackson@peacelearningcenter.org.
Event Organizers: A partnership between Peace Learning Center, Sacred Path Coaching, The Yoga Lady, Arthentic Arts, and James Todd.
Registration: Click here to register.

The Greencastle Urban Fossil Tour: Discover Ancient Life Around You!
2025-11-15 13:00 - 16:00 | Putnam County Museum, 1105 Jackson St., Greencastle, 46135, United States
Self-Guided Walks: Nov. 7 – 16
Guided Walks & Activities: Saturday, Nov. 8 & 15
Download a self-guided tour map and daily schedule by clicking here!
Join an all-ages community-wide fossil adventure blending science, nature, and art! Explore Greencastle’s buildings and the DePauw Nature Park on your own with a custom map or participate in a guided tour. Visit Fern Cliff’s vivid green sandstone, make fossil prints and poems, hear from experts, and trade your Paleo Art for a fossil cookie.
The Greencastle Urban Fossil Tour was designed with flexibility in mind!

Self-Guided Walks: Pick up a walking tour “fossil map” of downtown Greencastle and the DePauw Nature Park at the Putnam County Museum (1105 N. Jackson St.) or the Putnam County Convention & Visitors Bureau (aka, “Welcome Center,” 12 W. Washington St.). Hours vary but are open most weekdays until 3PM. After touring the area—and noting what you saw—return to the Welcome Center to collect your fossil-shaped cookie!

Saturday Sessions & Guided Walks: On Saturdays, guests and their families can attend interactive presentations at the Putnam County Museum with paleo-artist Janet Panoch (11/8) and geologist Tim Cope (11/15). Activities include fossil rubbings, art displays, short poetry exercises, and optional guided fossil walks in the DePauw Nature Park (1400 W. CR 125 S.). Saturday sessions are from 1 – 4PM with the guided walk beginning at TBA times.

Special Instructions: Please verify hours for the DePauw Nature Park, Putnam County Museum, and Putnam County Convention & Visitors Bureau before picking up a self-guided walking tour map.
Most areas on the tour are ADA compliant.
Questions? Contact 317-748-8462 or jpanoch@iu.edu.
Event Organizers: A partnership between paleo-artist Janet Panoch, Putnam County Museum, DePauw University, DePauw Geosciences Club, and The Doc’s Inn.
Registration: Click here to register.

A Nature Walk Down a Peace Path
2025-11-15 15:00 - 18:00 | Shalom Mennonite Church, 6100 E. 32nd. St., Indianapolis, 46226, United States
ADDRESS CORECTION:
The festival event guide lists an incorrect address. Shalom Mennonite Church is at 6100 E. 32nd St.

Experience the healing nature of the woods through a guided walk and hands-on crafts followed by an evening of poetry, stories, and songs around a campfire. All are welcome to experience nature as a place of peace, connection, and renewal at this come-and-go style event.
Step into the woods for an afternoon of discovery, creativity, and community connection. Guided nature walks along a groomed woodland trail will introduce guests to native trees and plants with moments to pause and consider quotes from poems and scripture. Families are especially welcome—children can join in hands-on craft projects and plant seeds in take-home containers to watch them grow long after the event. As the day winds down, everyone is invited to gather around a campfire for poetry, storytelling, and song—an experience that blends art, reflection, faith, and the healing power of nature.
Questions? Contact 317-549-0577 or office@shalommennonite.com.
Event Organizers: A partnership between Shalom Mennonite Church; Arlington Woods Neighborhood Association; Audubon Gardens Neighborhood Association, Inc.; and Indianapolis Public Library – E. 38th St. Branch.
Event Details:
3 – 5PM – Enjoy the trail and other activities
5 – 6PM – Storytime and campfire programming begins
Rain or shine! Dress appropriately, wear walking shoes – the trail is flat wood chipped and about 500ft long – and bring a lawn chair for the campfire!
Registration: Click here to register.

Youth Rising for Nature: Getting Community in Action through Service & Advocacy
2025-11-16 13:00 - 16:00 | Fall Creek Trail, 30th & College Ave., Indianapolis, IN, 46025, United States
Community Forum & River Clean Up. Attend one or both gatherings.
Join Sea Scope’s youth Eco-Warriors for a two-part event exploring environmental justice, community dialogue, and a Fall Creek cleanup. Facilitated by local experts and inspired by Laudato Si, this experience blends spiritual reflection and action. Connect with neighbors of Martindale-Brightwood and our living earth—come for one or both days!
This two-part experience (attending both Saturdays is optional) connects storytelling, faith, Martindale-Brightwood neighbors, and environmental action. The first session features an expert and youth-led community forum exploring local ecological challenges and reflections inspired by Laudato Si’ – a 2015 papal encyclical focused on environmental stewardship, climate change, and ecological responsibility, emphasizing the moral and spiritual dimensions of caring for the Earth. A week later, participants engage in a hands-on cleanup along Fall Creek restoring natural spaces in disinvested communities while learning how local actions connect to global environmental issues. Through dialogue, reflection, and collective action, attendees will deepen their understanding of stewardship, equity, and the sacred responsibility to care for our shared planet.
Questions? Contact 317-203-9397 or seascopeincindy@gmail.com.
Event Organizers: A partnership between Sea Scope Inc., Earth Charter Indiana, Indiana Conservation Voters, The Garden Community Church, and Indy Parks and Recreation.
Registration: Click here to register for the Nov. 16 river clean up.
Community Forum Details (Nov. 9): See Nov. 9 event.
River Clean Up Details (Nov. 16): Dress for the weather – with sturdy shoes and work gloves – for the clean-up. Additional details will be provided upon registration.
