SESSION NO.2
On the Trail of Wellness: How Nature Improves our Cognitive, Physical, and Social Well-being
October 18, 2026
The Westdale Theatre, 1014 King St W, Hamilton, ON L8S 1L4
1:30 pm
Doors Open
PLEASE BE IN YOUR SEATS BEFORE 2:00 pm WHEN OUR SESSION BEGINS
2:00 pm
Welcome & Introductions
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Marc Berman
World leading environmental neuroscientist and author of
“Nature and the Mind: the Science of How Nature Improves Cognitive, Physical, and Social Well-being”.
3:00 pm
Panel Discussion
with Dr. Marc Bergman and Dr. Jennifer Heisz Director of McMaster's
groundbreaking NeuroFit Lab and the Physical Activity Centre of Excellence (PACE)';
including audience Q&A
3:30 pm
Book Signing with Authors
4:00 pm
Close
This is a fundraising event for the Bruce Trail Conservancy (BTC),
hosted by the Iroquoia Bruce Trail Club.
For greater impact, the money raised will be matched through a matching campaign.
EVENT TICKET PRICES
$20 BTC Members
$30 Non-Members
For event day parking information, click below for PDF instructions:
PARKING_WestdaleTheatre-Neighborhood.pdf
Our Guest Speakers
Dr. Marc Berman
World’s leading environmental neuroscientist, founder and director of the Environmental Neuroscience Laboratory at the University of Chicago.
Dr. Marc Berman is a leading environmental neuroscientist and the founder and director of the Environmental Neuroscience Laboratory at the University of Chicago. He serves as professor and chair of the Department of Psychology and is co-director of the Master’s in Computational Social Science program. His work has earned major recognition, including early career awards from both the Association for Psychological Science and the American Psychological Association, and has been featured by outlets such as CNN, NPR, The New York Times, National Geographic, and The Washington Post.
A pioneer in the field of environmental neuroscience, Dr. Berman studies how interactions with nature influence the brain, behaviour, and overall well-being. His research reveals a powerful connection between attention, mental health, and the environments we inhabit—particularly the natural world. In Nature and the Mind, Dr. Berman translates this research into a practical framework for everyday life. He introduces the concept of a “nature prescription”—simple, accessible ways to restore focus, boost energy, and improve mental and physical health through intentional contact with nature. These strategies do not require major lifestyle changes; they can be integrated into urban environments by bringing natural elements into daily routines and spaces. Beyond individual benefits, Dr. Berman’s work highlights how exposure to nature can foster empathy, strengthen social connections, and support broader societal outcomes, including environmental stewardship and social equity. His work offers both a scientific foundation and a practical path toward healthier minds, communities, and environments.
Dr. Jennifer Heisz
Professor of Kinesiology at McMaster University and Director of the NeuroFit Lab
Dr. Jennifer Heisz investigates the mechanisms through which physical activity and other lifestyle interventions influence brain function, cognition, and mental health.
Jennifer also serves as Director of the McMaster Physical Activity Centre of Excellence, and she is the Editor-in-Chief of Exercise, Sport, and Movement, an international, peer-reviewed and open-access journal of the American College of Sports Medicine.
Dr. Heisz has been recognized with numerous honors for her contributions to the field, including a Canada Research Chair in Brain Health and Aging, and is the author of Move the Body, Heal the Mind, which synthesizes current research on the cognitive and mental health benefits of exercise. The book has been translated into multiple languages, reaching a broad international readership.
PREVIOUS SESSION NO.1
Indigenous Trails: Forerunners of Today
Sunday, May 9 18th from 1-2:30 pm: The Westdale Theatre
SPEAKERS:
RICK HILL SR.
Citizen of the Beaver Clan of the Tuscarora Nation of the Haudenosaunee at Grand River
Rick Hill Sr. is Vice-President of the Niagara Academy for Indigenous Relations‘ and holds a Master’s Degree in American Studies from the State University of New York at Buffalo. He is the former Assistant Director for Public Programs, National Museum of the American Indian, Smithsonian Institution; Museum Director, Institute of American Indian Arts, Santa Fe, NM; and Assistant Professor, Native American Studies, SUNY Buffalo. He recently retired as Senior Project Coordinator of the Deyohahá:ge: Indigenous Knowledge Centre at Six Nations Polytechnic, Ohsweken, Ontario. Rick is currently working as an interpretive specialist to develop exhibitions for the recently renovated Mohawk Institute, the oldest Indian residential school in Canada.
TIM JOHNSON
President of the Niagara Academy for Indigenous Relations & BTC Board Member
Tim was project director of the Woodland Cultural Centre’s Mohawk Institute Indian Residential School exhibit and visitor experience. He is the artistic director of The Great Niagara Escarpment Indigenous Cultural Map, project director of the Greenbelt Indigenous Botanical Survey, and executive producer of the multiple award-winning documentary RUMBLE: The Indians Who Rocked The World. As the former associate director for Museum Programs at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of the American Indian, Tim managed the museum’s largest organizational group across its facilities in Washington and New York. A long list of critically acclaimed exhibits, programs, and publications were produced during his tenure, creating an era that significantly advanced the institution’s museology and reputation.
MARTIN S. COOPER
Senior Archaeologist and Senior Associate at Archaeological Services Inc.
Martin Cooper has been involved in archaeology in Ontario for over thirty years. He received his Honours BA in Anthropology at the University of Western Ontario and his MA at the University of Toronto, where he is currently completing his PhD. He is Senior Archaeologist and an Associate with the firm. Martin has served as Project Director on hundreds of single and multi-phased assessments: directed many of ASI’s archaeological assessments in northern Ontario, directed extensive archaeological survey and excavation of seventeenth century Neutral Iroquoian sites in the Niagara Peninsula, and directed the LaVase Portage Archaeological Project, a component of Heritage North for the City of North Bay.
For event day parking information, click below for PDF instructions:
PARKING_WestdaleTheatre-Neighborhood.pdf