This past May, The Trustees partnered with the Alliance of Massachusetts YMCAs to host Rooted in Resilience: Wellness in Nature for Cancer Survivors. Made possible through funding from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health Comprehensive Cancer Prevention and Control Program, this five-part retreat series created a peaceful, outdoor sanctuary for survivors. Offered completely free of charge, the program removed financial barriers to ensure open access to nature-based healing.

The Power of Partnership

Bringing the series to life required blending community trust with the restorative power of natural landscapes. Lynn Murray, Director of DBIE Programs and Partnerships, helped to make this vision a reality by working closely with the Alliance of MA YMCAs to connect local communities with Trustees properties.

On the ground, each retreat was a direct co-creation between local teams: Trustees property staff led place-based workshops, such as guided hikes, plein air watercolor painting, and farm visits, while YMCA leaders facilitated mindfulness practices like trauma-informed yoga and meditation.

“This pilot is a great example of what’s possible when the Alliance of MA YMCAs and The Trustees bring our strengths together,” shared Lynn. “The Alliance’s trusted relationships in communities across the Commonwealth, combined with The Trustees’ special places and outdoor experiences, created opportunities for healing, connection, and wellness that neither organization could have easily achieved alone.”

Healing Across the Commonwealth

Throughout May, the retreat series welcomed 76 cancer survivors, resulting in 100 total registrations across five iconic Trustees properties:

• Fruitlands Museum (Harvard)
• Crane Estate (Ipswich)
• Weir River Farm (Hingham)
• Bartholomew’s Cobble (Sheffield)
• The FARM Institute (Martha’s Vineyard)

To support physical, emotional, and social well-being, programming was tailored at each site to offer a variety of supportive activities:

• Movement & Mindfulness: Guided hikes led by Trustees staff paired with outdoor yoga, mindfulness, and meditation sessions led by YMCA instructors.
• Creative Expression: Open-air watercolor painting and nature journaling co-hosted on property grounds.
• Hands-on Connection: Interactive farm-based activities, gardening, nutrition education, and sound healing sessions.

Welcoming New Visitors to Open Spaces

One of the most impactful outcomes of the series was opening the door to new outdoor spaces for participants. Post-retreat surveys revealed that 78.6% of respondents were visiting that Trustees property for the very first time.

Every surveyed participant reported that the retreat supported their well-being, felt relevant to their survivorship journey, and fostered a strong sense of community. Many participants even attended multiple sessions across different locations.

“What moved me the most was hearing from participants who discovered The Trustees for the first time through these wellness retreats,” Lynn notes. “The retreat itself was meaningful, but what matters most is helping people connect to resources they can return to after the program ends. We want every participant to know these special places belong to them.”

In Their Own Words

Written feedback from attendees captured the heart of the experience:

• “A beautiful, restorative event.”
• “I felt so welcomed and nurtured.”
• “I am very grateful for this opportunity to spend time outside, with others to have had similar experiences.”

Even on rainy days, gathering outside provided immense comfort, offering a space to share stories and practice mindfulness alongside people who understood the survivorship journey.

Looking Ahead

The success of Rooted in Resilience reaffirms that nature is an essential partner in health, recovery, and community building.

The Trustees remains deeply committed to keeping these landscapes open, accessible, and welcoming to everyone seeking solace, strength, and connection in the outdoors.