I cannot believe it is already the end of the year. As December comes to a close, we begin to welcome the arrival of winter on the solstice. The long, dark, quiet nights offer us a time for slowing down and give us an opportunity to reset. It is also perfect for reflection and setting new intentions for the new year ahead. Perhaps a gentle call for patience and the return of light as well.

As I stop to look back on 2025, I am happy to share that it was a good year full of highlights and nature connection. I continued to grow my forest bathing practice, and I participated in a number of conferences, retreats, and group experiences to enhance my knowledge in this field. I also continued to gain and expand partnerships in my community, the surrounding region, and beyond. These partnerships build the practice and make it more accessible. Additionally, I had some accomplishments that I am proud of in other areas of my life outside of forest bathing. However, I had one deeply profound nature connection this year that stood out as the most cherished achievement for 2025. I have become bonded with the gray squirrels in my yard. It may sound silly, simple, or strange, but let me explain further.

Back in February, I had noticed that the city had marked my beloved mature silver maple tree in my front yard for removal. I have lived in my home for the past 21 years. This maple tree had been the main focal point for my family and I while we lounged on the lemonade porch on summer days. In the winter months, it’s branches stood out as a beacon for migrating birds to perch for a rest while traveling to warmer destinations. Additionally, it often drew hawks, woodpeckers, and even bald eagles to it’s expensive canopy. Not to mention it was home to a vast number of other wildlife and plant species. This included a family of squirrels that made nests in a couple of the hollowed out branches. No matter, the city declared the tree past it’s life span and deemed it a public safety hazard. Even after some vocal protest, a petition movement, and many calls to the city, the tree was soon cut down. When I finally gained the courage to investigate the massive stump a few days later, i noticed the squirrels had returned to the stump as well. I thought they must be looking for their nest, and now I was even more frustrated with this situation. Especially since the city’s aggressive mature tree removal policy was leaving wild life (squirrels included) displaced all over town. My wife, who is never one to stand by quietly when wildlife is in need, quickly found “squirrel houses” for sale on the internet. A squirrel house is the same concept as a bird house except it is made large enough for the squirrels to fit. It’s a wooden, house-shaped dwelling that gets fixed to the trunk of a large tree. I was convinced that it would never work and no squirrel would find this man made “house “ appealing. Plus, we really didn’t have a tree that was tall enough for the recommended height required to hang it. My wife was determined to get it anyways, and I finally gave in. I thought it might ultimately make a good conversation piece if it did not house the squirrels.

The squirrel house arrived in the mail a few days later. It was well built and even came with a small fence and a pine cone decoration at the house entrance opening. My wife and I picked a tree in the back yard, and I got my ladder and attached it to the tree. We put a few peanuts inside to invite the squirrels. Now, we watched and waited to see if the squirrels would move in. Within just a few minutes, they were exploring the house. They eventually went inside and by nightfall they appeared to be fully moved in to their new home. It’s difficult to describe the feeling of joy and happiness I had seeing them in that house. I felt a deep feeling of reciprocity. I felt like I was giving something back for all the times they had made me laugh while watching them acrobatically chase each other through the maple tree branches. The squirrels were now back home.

It has been a joy to watch the squirrels tend to their house. Sometimes they bring up leaves and sticks. Sometimes they toss things out, and sometimes they squeeze what would seem to be an impossible number inside. They enjoy meals at my bird feeder nearby, and sip water from the bird baths. My wife and I spent the summer and fall gathering nuts from nearby trees to offer them as treats. This constant observation and interaction has opened up a relationship with these squirrels. In fact, we often can enjoy the yard together without the barrier of fear. It’s been a truly rewarding experience, and my wife and I are considering a second squirrel house for the new year.

I invite you to consider harvesting a relationship with the natural world around you. Perhaps sit in the same spot in your back yard each day for 20 minutes and notice the beings that come around. I wonder what will catch your attention? Perhaps become come friends with a tree or animal in your favorite forest. Remember to take care of and look after one another. To borrow from the author Robin Wall Kimmerer, “knowing that you love nature changes you, activates you to defend and protect and celebrate it. But when you feel that nature loves you in return, that feeling transforms the relationship from a oneway street into a sacred bond.”

Happy Holidays! See you on the trail in 2026!!

Mark Bucha

ANFT Certified Forest Therapy Guide