The Treeline Project is a nonprofit that provides free outdoor wellness trips and outdoor mentorships to Fremont County youth.
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The Treeline Project values outdoor education and a large part of outdoor education is being able to properly plan and execute a trip. So, each Treeline Project trip is planned, start to finish, in collaboration with the participants.
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"Joseph is a person who has great respect for Mother Earth and the animals that live on it. I found him to be very passionate, knowledgeable and observed his love of the outdoors. I highly recommend investing time with this man and his program. Like me, you will enter as a stranger and exit as a friend, having had the experience of a lifetime connecting with the wonders this outdoor world has to offer."
— Philip Letzo
"Last year I was in the wilderness with Joseph on a pack trip. The whole trip was a calming and humbling experience. The quietness of the woods and the sound of the leaves rustling in the trees helped calm and flush all of the busy thoughts out of my head. At one point we sat down to wait out a rainstorm, and the smell of the rain and the sound of the droplets hitting the leaves was soothing. This time spent in the wilderness has helped shape me physically and mentally into what I want to be."
- Jackson Asay
"I attended a trip in August of 2021, offered by The Treeline Project and was a bit skeptical at first. This skepticism was quickly abated after meeting The Treeline Project team. They are professional, organized, and down to earth. I came out of this trip feeling mentally recharged and ready to take on my next challenges at work and in life. Highly recommend taking a trip into the treeline with this group, you will come out better off for it!"
- Nick L.
"Our friend and beloved pet Kodiak, was diagnosed with terminal cancer in August. Faithful companion on enumerable trail runs and fly fishing trips, we knew the October excursion would be his last extended outing. We experienced brook trout, grouse scuttling through camp, and bulging elk, not to mention time spent with good friends who loved Kodiak as well. Our last backcountry outing with Kodiak will forever be in our memory. Our time spent with Joseph, Cody (Treeline Project Volunteer) and of course the llamas of the Treeline Project made this outing even more special. Thanks!"
- Chuck and Karla
"When I was first introduced to Joseph and Laurel and heard them talk about the Treeline Project I was instantly hooked. As a military guy my only reservation was: is this going to be too touchy feely? Instead, what happened was the most real experience I have had in quite some time. Mental and spiritual health were discussed honestly and painlessly between the casual and the serious. The sincerity of our conversations put me at ease and allowed me to open up, and eventually I found myself discussing mental health openly and honestly for the first time in a long time. Over the past three years I have lost several friends to suicide. I think about them every day. I think about what I could have done and what an experience like I shared with the Treeline Project could have done for them. Through the Treeline Project, I can honestly say that I have found an outlet and group with which I feel comfortable and trust to work towards a better life. Most importantly the experience introduced me to new friends for whom I am grateful to have met."
- Zach
Being in nature reduces stress by providing a “temporary-escape” from reality by getting out of a daily routine and changing a person’s pace.
Berto, R. (2014). The Role of Nature in Coping with Psycho-Physiological Stress: A Literature Review on Restorativeness. Behavioral Sciences, 4, 394-409. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs4040394
Spending time in the outdoors has been shown to improve physical wellbeing by decreasing blood pressure and hypertension.
Song, C., Ikei, H., Miyazaki, Y. (2017). Sustained effects of a forest therapy program on the blood pressure of office workers. Urban For. Urban Green. 27, 246–252. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2017.08.015.
Extended period of time in nature can enhance a person’s creativity.
Yu, C.-P. (Simon), Hsieh, H. (2020). Beyond restorative benefits: evaluating the effect of forest therapy on creativity. Urban For. Urban Green. 51, 126670 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2020.126670
Having access to nature promotes children’s cognitive performance and benefits their mental and physical health.
Chawla, L. (2020). Childhood nature connection and constructive hope: A review of research on connecting with nature and coping with environmental loss. People Nat. 2, 619– 642. https://doi.org/10.1002/pan3.10128
Outdoor spaces can enhance social inclusion and social connections which creates a greater sense of community.
Berto, R. (2014). The Role of Nature in Coping with Psycho-Physiological Stress: A Literature Review on Restorativeness. Behavioral Sciences, 4, 394-409. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs4040394
Consistent time spent in nature increases self-confidence.
Berto, R. (2014). The Role of Nature in Coping with Psycho-Physiological Stress: A Literature Review on Restorativeness. Behavioral Sciences, 4, 394-409. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs4040394
