Held at Mokoan Hub & Cafe at Winton Wetlands, the forum covered how people can reconnect with the environment through natural solutions. It aimed to encourage people to preserve and appreciate the natural environment.
"The forum demonstrated the positive links between people’s health and their connection to nature," Winton Wetland management committee chair Dennis O'Brien said.
"We coupled this with programming speakers that complemented our commitment to environmental sustainability and restoration efforts that are fundamental to the success of this project, and other national and international renewal projects."
The forum provided a platform for scientists, teachers, academics and restoration ecologists to provide insights ad reflections on their connection to the natural environment.
Winton Wetlands restoration scientist Lance Lloyd said the forum gave all attendees the opportunities to network and share knowledge about human impacts on the environment.
"Millions of rural people around the world spend every working day connected to nature and they know that their lives and work depend directly on the natural environment continuing to provide water and fertile soil.
"These people are among the first to suffer when ecosystems are altered, whether through climate change, pollution or over-exploitation of resource,'' Mr Lloyd said.
"By working with nature and being connected to natural areas we can reduce our health by lowering stress, having cleaner air and water and restored environments.
"Volunteers, school children and the general public can contribute to the restoration efforts at Winton Wetlands and also reap these health benefits."