The Nature of Presence: Self-Awareness through Coaching in the
Outdoors and Forest Therapy Guided Walk
Exploring the essence of presence and perspectives in nature
with a moderate walk on maintained trails.

Event Date & Time: Tuesday, June 2, 2026, 2:00 pm-5:30 pm. (Rain date - June 3, 2026.)

Meet at 2:00 pm in the Gazebo area/pavilion to the left of the main building, off Discovery Garden Trail. (Walk to the left of the building until you see a wooded boardwalk area.) 

Where: 
Somerset County Environmental Education Center, 190 Lord Stirling Rd, Basking Ridge, New Jersey 07920, 908-722-1200
https://www.somersetcountyparks.org/environmental-education-center

Stirling Hotel (optional follow-up gathering), 227 Main Ave, Stirling, NJ 07980, 908-647-6919
https://www.thestirlinghotel.com/

Led By: Marian Janes, President and Founder, Ignite Growth Coaching, and Kathleen Ochab, Founder and Principal Consultant with Compass Consulting and Certified Forest Therapy Guide.

Through participation in this event participants will explore competency #7-Evokes Awareness as it relates to Perspectives Coaching. During our time together, we will explore coaching in an experiential and thought-provoking natural setting. The program will consist of exploration, self-reflection, and coaching group work. We will incorporate elements of Forest Therapy from the ANFT (Association of Nature and Forest Therapy). Forest Therapy is derived from the growing popularity of a Japanese practice called Shinrin-yoku (“forest bathing”) and directly impacts the potential of the coaching experiences we provide. 

Although this program is offered in support of competency #7-Evokes Awareness, this experience will also provide insights into other competencies such as Embodies a Coaching Mindset, Maintains Presence, and Facilitates Client Growth.

Looking through the lens of competency #7, the event will focus on the following sub-competencies.

Benefits of Attending
You are invited to the power nature has on unlocking personal awareness. Within a collaborative, natural environment you will be invited to gain greater awareness and perspectives as a coach. As a result of attendance, you will be able to apply awareness gained and concepts learned to further develop your coaching muscles.

SUGGESTED PRE-WORK: 

Schedule
2:00 pm: Meet in the Gazebo area/pavilion to the left of the main building off Discovery Garden Trail. (Walk to the left of the building until you see a wooded boardwalk area.)
2:30 pm-5:00 pm: Hike/Walk 
5:00-5:30 pm: Wrap-up (back at EEC)
Option to continue the experience over dinner at Stirling Hotel, a local restaurant.

What to bring:

Pricing:
ICF New Jersey Members - $25
ICF Global Members - $25
Non-members - $30

Future-Ready Series pass holders: This event is included in the series. Please use the free ticket to register for the event so Marian and Kathleen will know you plan to participate.

NOTE: There are no refunds available once you register.

CCEs: The amount of CCEs is pending approval from ICF Global.

Questions? Call Marian Janes at 908-229-0553 or Kathleen Ochab at 407-923-5429, or write [email protected]. 

Facilitator’s Bio:

Marian Janes, is an ICF PCC, Leadership, Executive Professional Coach and Mentor with over 1000+ hours of professional coaching experience. With a focused specialty in Leadership Coaching for Organizational Performance she is passionate about stimulating personal and professional growth in others, helping them not only achieve breakthrough business results but feel good about doing so. 

Marian is passionate about the potential coaching has on positively impacting the world and motivated by igniting the sparks that will enable new and existing coaches to ignite growth and hope in others. Once the spark is ignited there is no stopping the momentum! 

Marian is an instructor within the Heidrick & Struggles LCOP coaching program, an ICF feedback and mentor coach, a business acceleration community group leader, an ICF group mentor coach facilitator, and an evaluator for the ICF International PRISM award for coaching excellence. 

Whether developing leaders and executives, existing coaches or aspiring coaches, Marian contributes her success to her ability to be fully present, listen with empathy, and focus on individual needs.

Nature is our best teacher…if only we would listen. 

You can find out more about Marian at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ignitegrowth/

Kathleen Ochab is an ICF PCC Leadership and Career Coach who empowers others to become their best self. She holistically approaches situations connecting individual parts towards one common goal. She is a confident leader who inspires dedication, gains trust, and develops others. Her strong communication skills invite exploration and create connections. 

As a Senior Human Resources executive, she is skilled at evolving and executing people strategy that drives dynamic business objectives and results. She has experience in all areas of Human Resources with a drive and passion for development, growth, and transformation.

Kathleen is committed to people who want to realize their full potential through thoughtful dialogue and a holistic approach. As a certified ANFT Forest Therapy Guide, she incorporates her passion and the healing powers of the great outdoors into her coaching practice  through Dialogue in Motion^TM.

You can find out more about Kathleen at: www.compasscoach.me