As a PhD candidate in UBC’s Faculty of Forestry studying the relationship between natural soundscapes and well-being, I’m excited to share insights from our Silent Trails initiative, featured in Global BC’s “Shaping BC’s Environmental Future” series.
In our increasingly noisy urban environments, finding moments of true quiet has become a rare commodity. Together with my research partner Kristine Koster, this observation led us to a fundamental research question: Can walking in absolute silence on a forest path help people feel more connected to nature? My recent research at the University of British Columbia suggests the answer is yes, and it has led to an exciting pilot project in Metro Vancouver.
The Silent Trails Initiative
Two trails in Metro Vancouver have been designated as “silent trails” – a section of Top Trail in Pacific Spirit Regional Park and Ravine Trail at Campbell Valley Regional Park. These trails aren’t governed by strict bylaws but rather serve as designated spaces “where nature does the talking.” We consider them an evidence-based approach to improving health and well-being. Instead of trails designated for biking, hiking, or horseback riding, these are specifically places where park visitors can fully experience nature’s sounds without major disruption.
Japanese Inspiration
My interest in natural soundscapes was deeply influenced by my time living in Japan, where I learned about forest bathing (shinrin-yoku). Since the early 1980s, Japan has designated approximately 65 forest therapy bases specifically designed to promote health through immersion in forest environments, with sound levels carefully managed to enhance the natural experience.
The striking contrast between the bustling streets of Shibuya, where I lived, and these peaceful forest environments inspired me to explore whether similar benefits could be achieved at home in Metro Vancouver.
Research and Results
I conducted a year-long study across four different parks – Pacific Spirit Park, Stanley Park, Jericho Beach, and Malcolm Knapp Research Forest. Through this research, I identified a clear need for quiet spaces in nature. Many study participants expressed frustration with noise pollution from power equipment, aircraft, and traffic interrupting their nature experience.
I spent months carefully selecting the right trails for this project, using specific criteria to find locations with minimal foot traffic and reduced traffic sounds. This careful selection process has paid off, as the pilot project’s initial findings show:
- 92% of visitors rated their trail experience as quiet
- 78% reported an enhanced ability to hear nature sounds
- Participants celebrated being able to hear subtle sounds like owl calls and rustling leaves
Protecting Our Soundscapes
As Metro Vancouver’s population of 3 million is expected to grow by another million in the next 15-20 years, protecting quiet spaces becomes increasingly crucial. British Columbia has long been at the forefront of understanding the importance of sound environments. In 1968, composer Murray Schafer founded the World Soundscape Project at Simon Fraser University in response to Vancouver’s degrading sonic environment.
As my supervisor, Dr. John Innes, former Dean at the UBC Faculty of Forestry, notes: “Getting visitors to be quiet will require cultural change, and it will obviously be very difficult, and it may even take a long time, but if we don’t make a start, we’ll never get there.”
Looking Ahead
The Silent Trails pilot program runs through December 2024, after which Metro Vancouver will evaluate its future. Building on our earlier collaboration in forest therapy, Kristine Koster and I hope to expand the Silent Trails initiative beyond Vancouver, throughout BC and beyond. Our approach emphasizes community engagement rather than strict enforcement, encouraging trail users to respectfully remind others about maintaining the quiet atmosphere.
While we think about our landscapes all the time, we really need to be thinking about our soundscapes. This is truly a collective effort, and I invite you to experience these silent trails for yourself, where nature does the talking.
This article is part of the “Shaping BC’s Environmental Future” series, presented by Vancouver Island University in partnership with Global BC, featuring stories about the people, research, and innovations leading British Columbia’s environmental and sustainable movement.
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