News

Goals of the INE Project 

The INE – Inclusive Nature Experience project aims to make nature accessible to everyone. The main goals are: 

• Improving health and well-being by promoting activity in nature, 

• Increasing awareness of the natural environment and encouraging nature conservation, 

• Including vulnerable groups in outdoor activities and enabling equal participation, 

• Ensuring safe, independent access to nature with appropriate adaptations, support, and technology. 

These goals align with the work of the Slovenian inPlaninec Committee, which connects people of diverse backgrounds through hiking and programs, creating opportunities for inclusion in the natural environment. InPlaninec is presented here as an example of best practice. 

 The committee’s vision is to provide opportunities: Every individual should have the chance to experience nature in their own way—whether through adapted trails, accessible transport, tailored services, or assistance from trained staff. 

Who are the inPlaninci? 

The inPlaninec Committee operates under the Alpine Association of Slovenia. Their mission is to make mountains and nature accessible to everyone, regardless of physical ability, age, or other personal characteristics. By doing so, they aim to improve individuals’ health and well-being and contribute to greater care for the natural environment. 

Volunteers enable inclusive hikes “Together in the Mountains”. Among them are also people with disabilities, which encourages mutual learning and support. For example, a person who is blind can share their experience of perceiving the environment through hearing and touch, while a person using a wheelchair can assist with orientation by describing the trail. 

Why are these hikes special? 

Inclusive hikes bring together people of all ages and abilities. Tatjana Strmčnik, who uses a wheelchair and participated in the GOGO campaign, shared: “When we reached the summit, we were overcome with joy. The breathtaking views, the atmosphere filled with happiness. Tired but satisfied, we sat by the mountain hut, sipped warm tea, and knew—we had made it!” Such stories prove that mountains can be accessible to all with the right support. 

Working Groups and Activities of the inPlaninec Committee 

The committee promotes inclusive outdoor activities, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their abilities, can experience the mountains. 

• GOGO –People with Physical Disabilities Conquer the Mountains 
  Supporting individuals with limited mobility in reaching Slovenia’s mountain peaks with the assistance of volunteers. 

• Confident Step – Hikes for Blind and Low-Vision Hikers 
  Enabling hikers who are blind or have low-vision to safely and fully enjoy mountain trails with appropriate guidance and adaptations. 

• Neurodiverse Hikers – Inclusive Hiking for Cognitive and Sensory Diversity 
  Creating accessible hiking experiences for individuals with intellectual disabilities, developmental differences, ADHD, and autism. 

• IOS – inPlaninci with Deaf and Hard of Hearing Hikers 
  Providing accessible communication and support for hikers who are deaf or hard-of-hearing, including the “Deaf Serving in Mountain Huts” initiative. 

• inPlaninci with Chronic Conditions – Supporting Well-Being Through Nature 
  Encouraging individuals with long-term health conditions to engage in outdoor activities in a way that suits their well-being. 

• Adaptive Climbing – Climbing for All 
  Offering climbing opportunities with personalized adaptations for individuals with diverse physical abilities. 

• Education – Training for Inclusive and Accessible Mountaineering 
  Equipping professionals with the knowledge and skills to ensure that mountaineering is accessible and inclusive for all participants. 

• inPlaninec Diary and Guidebook – A Resource for Inclusive Hiking 
  A guidebook and personal diary designed to support inclusive hiking experiences and provide knowledge for professionals. 

The overall goal of these activities is to ensure that each person finds their place in nature, regardless of their abilities. Each group receives the adaptations needed to have a safe and comfortable nature experience—whether through infrastructure, guidance, or assistive technology. 

First Hike of the Year – Night Hike to Stari Ljubelj 

The year started with the traditional night hike to Stari Ljubelj. A clear starry sky, the crunching of snow underfoot, and a warm atmosphere created an unforgettable evening for all participants. “Standing under the stars with friends, looking at the illuminated valleys, is something truly special,” said one participant. 

Deaf Serving in Mountain Huts Initiative 

The “Deaf Serving in Mountain Huts” initiative provides an opportunity for people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing to take on service roles in selected mountain huts. This initiative promotes inclusion and fosters meaningful interactions between hikers and staff members who are deaf or hard-of-hearing. 

Visitors can experience hiking in a unique way by engaging in non-verbal communication and learning basic sign language while enjoying a welcoming atmosphere. To enhance accessibility, tables are equipped with communication rollers, and menus include braille and sign language images. 

The communication roller is a simple tool that helps visitors indicate their needs. It can be set in three positions: 
🔵 Blue on top – to place an order 
🟡 Yellow on top – to request the bill 
⚪ Horizontal – to indicate no immediate requests 

This project serves as a symbol of inclusion and a chance for the wider public to gain a deeper understanding of the experiences and culture of people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing. 

GOGO –People with Physical Disabilities Conquer the Mountains 

The GOGO initiative brings together volunteers, hikers with physical disabilities, and ambassadors to conquer Slovenian mountain peaks as a team. 

Participants often describe these hikes as transformative experiences. “When you overcome obstacles and reach the summit, you feel immense strength and pride,” said Stojan Rozman, the initiative’s leader. 

This Year’s Training Sessions 

This year, the committee will organize four training sessions, offering participants knowledge on: 

• Adaptations for people who are blind or visually impaired, people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing, people with autism, ADHD, and people with physical disabilities. 

• The kinesiology aspect—understanding how the body moves and how to optimize movement for easier, safer, and less tiring walking. This includes using mobility aids, proper walking techniques, and exercises to improve strength and balance. 

• Inclusive teaching strategies for working with people with disabilities and diverse needs. 

• A hands-on learning experience, featuring a hike alongside people with disabilities, providing practical insight into inclusive outdoor activities. 

The committee has successfully conducted a sport climbing course for people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing and is now preparing a climbing course for people who are blind or visually impaired. 

Accessibility for All 

It is essential that everyone has the opportunity to experience nature. Some people require adaptations or support. These may include: 

• Physical accessibility, such as wheelchair-friendly paths, 

• Transport to less accessible locations, 

• Assistance from staff or volunteers to ensure a safe experience, 

• Assistive technology for orientation and information. 

Best practice 

Nature is for everyone! The activities of the inPlaninec Committee demonstrate that anyone can experience the beauty of mountains and nature. Stories from initiatives such as GOGO and “Deaf Serving in Mountain Huts” inspire the wider public and create a world where mountains are accessible to all.  

How can you contribute to this inclusive nature experience? 

Spending time in nature has a variety of positive effects on physical and mental health. These effects have been proven by numerous scientific studies and are based on various mechanisms. Interaction with the nature around us supports health care and has a positive effect on many non-communicable diseases that arise from our modern, urban lifestyle. Even if nature cannot replace a doctor, it can support us in many ways in becoming and staying healthy.

Nature keeps the body healthy
Exercise is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle, especially outdoors. Being in nature can often leave you feeling refreshed and invigorated. The natural environment increases motivation and the urge to move. Being active in nature strengthens the cardiovascular system, improves breathing capacity and muscle health. Nature experiences also lower blood pressure and are associated with better heart health.

Strengthening the immune system
But it’s not just the cardiovascular system that is strengthened by experiences in nature; the immune system also benefits from being outside. Sunlight plays an important role here, as it helps the body produce vitamin D, which is essential for building strong bones and for the immune system. Substances that are beneficial to health can also be found in the air: Forests in particular have air enriched with so-called terpenes, chemical substances that have health-promoting properties. Studies show that regular exposure to nature can increase the activity of natural killer (NK) cells, which are responsible for defending against viruses and tumours. This leads to a better immune response and lower susceptibility to disease.
Even if we are not consciously aware of it, we feel that nature is good for us. In addition to the physical activities, it is above all the emotional and sensory experiences that we have in nature that are important. These experiences have an effect on our health by relaxing the body, calming the mind and helping us to achieve a deeper emotional and physical balance.

Nature has an effect on mental health
Experiences in nature have a positive effect on our mental health and resilience to stress. In nature, our senses are engaged in a variety of ways: we hear the birds singing, smell the scent of flowers, feel the wind on our skin or feel the ground beneath our feet. These sensory impressions can create a sense of connection with the environment, which has a positive effect on our stress levels and our relaxation.
Contact with nature can demonstrably lower the level of cortisol (the stress hormone). In a natural environment, the body feels less stressed because the senses are soothed and the nervous system can relax. Even a short stay in nature, such as a walk in the forest or park, has been shown to have a calming effect.
At the same time, serotonin, the so-called happiness hormone, is released. Nature has the ability to touch us emotionally and lead us to inner clarity or serenity.

Promoting self-regulation
Nature can help regulate our emotions. When we feel inspired or soothed by natural beauty or tranquility, it stabilises and calms us, restoring our emotional balance. Feeling joy or fulfilment in nature is a form of emotional self-care that has a positive impact on health.
In nature, people are often able to free themselves from daily distractions and live in the moment. The silence and rhythm of nature can bring about a feeling of relaxation and inner balance, a sense of peace and freedom. Spending time in nature can also awaken a sense of connection and belonging to nature. We marvel at the beauty of the landscape and admire the diversity of plants, mushrooms and animals – and that makes us happy.

Experiencing nature can increase concentration and creativity
Studies also confirm the positive effect of nature experiences on our ability to concentrate and on our creativity. Particularly fascinating in this context is the so-called ‘Attention Restoration Theory’: as early as the 1980s, scientists were already investigating the positive effect of spending time in nature when we are mentally exhausted. According to this theory, the natural environment gently directs our attention without overwhelming it. This is especially important in our highly digitalised world, where sensory overload is ubiquitous. When we are outside, we often have new ideas: nature stimulates creative thoughts and serves as a source of new ideas and insights.

Nature promotes community
Experiences in nature also have a social function. Joint activities such as hiking or gardening in community gardens promote exchange and a sense of belonging. Social contacts, in turn, are a crucial factor for mental health. Shared experiences in nature foster positive emotions such as togetherness and connectedness, which in turn increase psychological well-being. Social interactions in a natural environment are also often more relaxed and less stressful than in an urban environment.

Nature is more than just a recreational space
The conscious experience of nature combines several factors that positively influence health at all levels. In nature, you can experience a variety of feelings that depend on personal perception and the environment. Emotions play a central role in the way we experience nature and how it affects our health. It is not just about the rational mind, but also about emotional and sensory experiences that have a profound effect on us.
What we feel in nature, be it marvel, joy or even sadness, has a direct impact on our emotional well-being. Positive feelings such as marvel, gratitude and joy can reduce stress, strengthen the immune system and promote general well-being. Feeling calm and secure in natural surroundings can help to release emotional blockages and lead to better mental health. But spending time in nature also promotes awareness of one’s own body.
Whether it’s reducing stress, increasing resilience or improving cognitive abilities, all of this shows the necessity of consciously integrating experiences in nature into our daily lives.

For example, forest bathing
So-called forest bathing is a wonderful example of how experiencing nature promotes health. The practice of forest bathing originated in Japan, where it is known as shinrin-yoku and is even prescribed by doctors. Forest bathing involves taking a walk in the forest, breathing in the forest air mindfully and consciously experiencing the atmosphere in the forest. The forest air contains chemical substances that are released by the leaves and needles of the trees. These substances promote the absorption of oxygen and can even be absorbed through the skin. In a mild way, they thus, seemingly unnoticed, inhibit bacteria and viruses and help to promote and maintain health. The practice of forest bathing has also been shown to have positive effects on mental health, including reducing anxiety, depression and exhaustion.

Sources and further reading:

(PDF) Health Benefits of Nature Experience: Psychological, Social and Cultural Processes
DOI:10.1007/978-90-481-9806-1_5

Kaplan, S. (1995). “The restorative benefits of nature: Toward an integrative framework.” Journal of Environmental Psychology, 15(3), 169-182.
https://doi.org/10.1016/0272-4944(95)90001-2

Bratman, G. N., Hamilton, J. P., & Daily, G. C. (2015). “The impacts of nature experience on human cognitive function and mental health.” Psychological Science, 26(6), 1111-1122.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1749-6632.2011.06400.x

Mayer, F. S., & Frantz, C. M. (2004). The connectedness to nature scale: A measure of individuals’ feeling in community with nature. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 24(4), 503–515.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2004.10.001

Effekte von Naturtherapie und Waldbaden bei Probanden mit kardiovaskulären Risikofaktoren – Naturheilkunde Berlin – Ayurveda, TCM, TEM

Green Care WALD – BFW

Cervinka, R., Höltge, J., Pirgie, L., Schwab, M., Sudkamp, J., Haluza, D., Arnberger, A., Eder, R., & Ebenberger, M. (2014). Green public health – Benefits of woodlands on human health and well-being. BFW-Berichte.
https://bfw.ac.at/cms_stamm/GreenCareWald/pdf/BFW_Bericht147_2014_GreenPublicHealth.pdf

Effects of forest environment (Shinrin-yoku/Forest bathing) on health promotion and disease prevention —the Establishment of “Forest Medicine”—
DOI: 10.1265/ehpm.22-00160

Li, Q., et al. (2008). Effect of forest bathing on human immune function. Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine, 13(1), 21–27.
DOI: 10.1007/s12199-008-0068-3