Sustainability and Innovation Award 2024

The annual Joondalup Business Association Awards offers an opportunity to celebrate some of the community’s local businesses and their successes while celebrating environmental sustainability.

The Sustainability and Innovation Award recognises City businesses that are leading the change in the sustainability space with a purpose and vision for an environmentally sustainable future.

The winner of the 2024 award, Mindful in Nature, is a business which uses the therapeutic benefits of the natural world to provide experiences that can improve a person’s physical and mental health.

A sustainable mission with a heartfelt purpose

Nature offers respite from demanding routines and a chance to reconnect with both our environment and ourselves. 

Founder of Mindful in Nature, Belinda McCawley, recognised a growing need and desire within the community to connect with our natural environment in a restorative and mindful way and Mindful in Nature was born.

Belinda’s background as an environmental scientist and her childhood spent in the natural world came together to form her new mission – to help people reconnect with nature and improve their wellbeing by promoting the benefits of the environment on both physical and mental health. Today, Belinda offers unique personal experiences for those facing stress in their everyday lives that include practices such as mindful meditation and guided forest therapy. 

Reconnecting with the natural world

The Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing, involves immersing oneself in nature to awaken the senses and reduce stress. Belinda’s sessions include meditative practices, slow walking, sensory engagement and reflective exercises, with the goal to be calm and feel grounded. The group then finishes with tea and reflects on their individual insights. Beyond the mental health and wellbeing benefits, spending time in nature can improve our physical health by reducing exposure to pollution, supporting our immune system and inspiring us to exercise. 

Greener minds for a greener future

As Mindful in Nature looks to the future and making nature-based experiences accessible to diverse communities, it will continue to prioritise well-being, inclusivity and environmental stewardship. Belinda hopes participants reflect on their deeper understanding of and interconnectedness with earth, choosing to live in harmony with nature by adopting or increasing sustainable practices such as reducing their impact on natural resources and fostering biodiversity in their neighbourhood.

Belinda encourages everyone to embrace the natural world and to experience the connection we can all have with our environment. Whether it is attending an environmental event or improving biodiversity in your own garden, we can all experience the benefits nature has on our health.

The City is home to over 17km of pristine coastline, 500 hectares of natural bushland and several conservation category wetlands you can explore. Many of these natural areas are home to threatened and priority flora and fauna species that rely on our healthy natural areas. View our ‘In my neighbourhood map’ to explore all the wonderful beaches, parks, reserves and wetlands the City has to offer.

Nature is for everyone

Here are some tips to increase your connection with nature:

• Choose native plants to improve biodiversity. Planting natives endemic to the area you live in will provide habitat for wildlife and bring nature to your garden.
• Apply to the City for a free street tree to help increase our urban tree canopy.
• Join a Friends Group to help protect our natural areas. Working alongside other like-minded individuals fosters connection, aids physical and mental health, and ensures everyone has access to green spaces that support wellbeing.
• Be a responsible pet owner when exercising your four-legged friends in our natural areas, keeping your pets on leads, sticking to paths, picking up rubbish and avoiding damaging or pruning the native vegetation.

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