PhD

Namyun Kil is an associate professor in the Department of Recreation Management and Recreational Therapy at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. He teaches RT classes, including nature and forest therapy (NFT). He is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS), a Certified Forest Therapy Guide (CFTG), and Certified Forest Therapy Trail Certification Certifier/Consultant (CFTTCC).

His research interests originated in nature-based recreation benefits, and his current research interests are in health and well-being benefits (e.g., NFT, forest bathing, mindfulness) for people of all ages and abilities who would potentially benefit from evidence-based RT services in indoor and outdoor settings. He delivers NFT interventions to various populations with/without special needs (e.g., children and adolescents with at-risk health conditions, college-age students, and veterans).

He published numerous peer-reviewed articles and made numerous professional presentations about NFT and other topics at international, national, and state-level conferences. He published a book chapter on forest therapy campers’ health-related beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors. He has been and is currently writing peer-reviewed NFT articles. He has also served as a reviewer for the editors of various peer-reviewed professional journals (e.g., editorial review board member of the American Journal of Recreational Therapy).