Standards and principles are the foundation of responsible forest therapy. They provide a shared language, define professional expectations, protect participant safety, guide ethical conduct, support ecological stewardship, improve training quality, and create pathways for certification and public trust.
ICFT develops and promotes international standards and principles to guide forest therapy practice, training, certification, site development, institutional programs, and third-party certification systems.
International Standard for Forest Therapy Practice
ICFT supports the implementation and continued development of the International Standard for Forest Therapy Practice, GSFTP-001:2025.
This standard provides a framework for responsible forest therapy practice, including:
- Definitions and scope of forest therapy;
- Core principles of practice;
- Practitioner competencies;
- Participant safety and risk management;
- Ethical boundaries and professional conduct;
- Site quality and environmental conditions;
- Ecological responsibility and carrying capacity;
- Cultural respect and local knowledge;
- Training requirements;
- Program design;
- Health outcome evaluation;
- Certification and quality assurance.
Core Principles of ICFT
1) Evidence-Informed Practice
Forest therapy should be guided by the best available scientific evidence, professional experience, and responsible evaluation.
2) Human Health and Wellbeing
Forest therapy should support mental, physical, social, emotional, and community wellbeing.
3) Safety and Risk Management
Forest therapy programs must include appropriate safety planning, participant screening, emergency procedures, informed consent, and risk mitigation.
4) Ethical Responsibility
Practitioners and institutions must respect professional boundaries, participant dignity, confidentiality, inclusivity, and responsible communication.
5) Ecological Integrity
Forest therapy must protect forests, biodiversity, soil, water, wildlife, and ecological processes. Human wellbeing must not come at the expense of ecosystem health.
6) Cultural Respect
Forest therapy must respect local cultures, Indigenous knowledge, traditional ecological knowledge, spiritual relationships with nature, and regional practices.
7) Professional Competence
Practitioners must receive appropriate training, demonstrate core competencies, engage in continuing professional development, and practice within their scope.
8) Accessibility and Inclusion
Forest therapy should be developed in ways that support access for different populations, including older adults, people with disabilities, underserved communities, and people with different cultural backgrounds.
9) Transparency and Accountability
Certification, training, and evaluation systems must be transparent, fair, consistent, and accountable.
10) Continuous Improvement
Forest therapy standards, training, and certification systems should be periodically reviewed and improved based on new evidence, feedback, and international experience.
Application of Standards
ICFT standards and principles apply to:
- Forest therapy practitioners;
- Forest therapy guides;
- Trainers and mentors;
- Training organizations;
- Therapeutic forest sites;
- Parks and protected areas;
- Healthcare and rehabilitation programs;
- Community wellbeing programs;
- Educational institutions;
- Urban forest therapy programs;
- Digital and simulated forest therapy programs;
- Third-party certification bodies.