Mindful Morning Walk

Step away from the busyness of daily life and immerse yourself in nature for a peaceful, guided mindful walk through Julia Bird Reservation, home to one of the most mature forests in Essex County. We’ll begin with 10 minutes of gentle stretching and breathwork to ground ourselves in this special place before setting out on foot for a 1.5 mile trail.

As we walk, we’ll explore a floodplain forest and follow the Ipswich River along a shaded, winding trail. Along the way, we’ll pause for guided micro-mindfulness practices, using the natural soundscape as our anchor. These practices are designed for all experience levels—whether you’re new to meditation or have an established practice, all are welcome.

About Our Guide:
Carla Villa is a dedicated yoga and meditation teacher and the Engagement Manager at the Ipswich River Watershed Association. Passionate about both protecting the Ipswich River and fostering deep connections with nature, Carla creates welcoming spaces where people can experience mindfulness in the outdoors.

About Julia Bird Reservation:
Julia Appleton Bird (1894-1982) and her children donated the 59-acre portion of the Bird estate to Greenbelt in 1972. Prior to European settlement, Indigenous people living in this area used the Ipswich River to canoe to their fishing grounds in Ipswich Bay and their fishing camps and clam flats around Plum Island Sound. One of the most mature forests in Essex County, Julia Bird is comprised of flood plain forest with large red oak and eastern hemlocks that benefited from a forest thinning project in the 1990s. A meandering and lovely hemlock-shaded stretch of frontage on the Ipswich River provides a beautiful overlook of the river and relief on a hot summer day.