International during a guided hike along the McIntyre River on
Lakehead University’s campus. Photo by Sara Melvin. (Photo by Sara Melvin)
Today is Earth Day, a global celebration that started back in 1970 when millions of people came together to push for cleaner air, cleaner water, and a healthier planet. What began as a single day of action has grown into a worldwide movement – and honestly, Thunder Bay shows up for it every single year.
Because if there’s one thing about this city? We’re surrounded by nature… and we love it fiercely.
From the folks who clean up trails, to the gardeners who turn tiny yards into pollinator havens, to the families who spend their weekends exploring the Boreal Forest – Thunder Bay is full of people who live Earth Day every day.
And today, one of those people called into the show.
Meet Sara Melvin – Today’s Lotto Winner & Forest Therapy Guide
This morning on Country 105, Sara Melvin called in to win lotto tickets by sharing her favourite Canadian animal: the majestic moose – a choice I fully support.
But then we found out something even cooler about her.
Sara works at Lakehead University International, and she started a program called Northern Nature Connect – a beautiful initiative that helps students connect more deeply with the land around them. Explore Northern Nature Connect.
Through that work, she became a certified Forest Therapy Guide. Yes… that’s a real thing, and yes… it’s as magical as it sounds.
What Sara Does: Nature as Medicine
Sara leads guided walks designed to:
- Wake up your senses
- Calm your mind
- Show how nature can be medicine for your soul
Students join her for nature‑based sessions that explore Thunder Bay’s green and blue spaces – from the Boreal Forest to the shoreline of Lake Superior – all while building a deeper connection with nature and each other.
Northern Nature Connect runs in both the summer and fall semesters, and the sessions change each year to offer new experiences. Learn about forest therapy benefits.
And here’s the best part: Sara hopes to one day expand the program beyond LU students so everyone in Thunder Bay can experience these walks.
Hear Dee & Sara’s Conversation
You can hear Dee and Sara’s full chat from earlier today on Country 105 right here:
Happy Earth Day, Thunder Bay
Whether you’re planting something, picking up litter, hiking the Giant, or just taking a moment to breathe in the fresh air – today is a reminder of how lucky we are to live where we live.
And thanks to people like Sara, we’re learning new ways to connect with our beautiful land.
To learn more about what Sara does click here: https://www.lakeheadu.ca/international/current/isp/northern-nature-connect
