Healing trauma-affected girls and women through outdoor activities
The mission of the Women In Nature (WIN) program is to empower and support girls and women who have experienced trauma and are affected by racial and ethnic disparities within historically marginalized communities. By using nature as therapy and providing outdoor experiences, WIN promotes healing, resilience, and personal growth. Through nature-based activities, the program offers a safe and supportive environment where participants can build self-confidence, develop inner strength, and achieve emotional balance.
My Story
I’m Altheia Tyler, Founder of Women In Nature (WIN) and Co-Founder of The Luck Association.
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Women In Nature is more than just an outdoor program — it’s a space of healing, courage, and connection for girls and women who, like me, have faced emotional, physical, or psychological trauma at some point in life.
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The idea for WIN was born from my own journey.
I am a survivor.
I know what it feels like to carry invisible scars, to search for peace, and to long for a place where you feel truly safe to breathe, laugh, and rebuild.
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Nature became that place for me.
It gave me space to heal, to grow stronger, and to see life with fresh eyes.
I created WIN so other women could experience the same — to stand in the sunlight, feel the wind on their face, and remember that they are more than their pain.
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Through outdoor adventures, skill-building, and sisterhood, WIN offers women the tools and community they need to step forward — not just surviving, but thriving.
"In nature, I found my strength. Through WIN, I share it with you."
What is trauma?
​​​​Traumatic experiences include but are not limited to:
Sexual assault
A significant portion of women will experience sexual assault in their lifetime, and it's a leading cause of trauma.
Physical abuse
Physical violence, either during childhood or in adulthood, can lead to significant emotional and physical trauma.
Witnessing violence
Experiencing or witnessing violence, whether it's violence against oneself or others, can be a highly traumatic event.
Serious accidents
Car accidents and other serious injuries can be traumatizing and contribute to long-term mental health challenges.
Child sexual abuse
Survivors of child sexual abuse, which can have long-lasting consequences.
Psychological abuse
Emotional abuse, manipulation, and control can be deeply damaging and contribute to long-term mental health issues.
Chronic trauma
Ongoing exposure to violence, abuse, or other adverse experiences can lead to chronic trauma, impacting overall health and well-being.
Combat & military experiences
Women serving in the military may experience combat-related trauma, including sexual assault and witnessing violence.
Domestic violence
Intimate partner violence is a major source of trauma for women, often involving physical and psychological abuse.
Childhood neglect
Neglect, including emotional or physical neglect, can have an effect on development and well-being.
Natural disasters
Events like earthquakes, floods, and hurricanes can be traumatic, and women may be disproportionately affected by their mental health consequences.
Traumatic grief
The death of a loved one, especially if sudden or violent, can lead to traumatic grief and related mental health issues.
Signs of Trauma
Here are some signs of Trauma:
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Irritability
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Feelings of guilt or shame
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Easily startled
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Emotional numbness
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Intrusive thought
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Difficulty concentrating
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Difficulty trusting others
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Flashbacks
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Headaches
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Nightmares
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Racing heart
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Self-destructive behavior
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Fatigue
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Feeling hopeless
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Panicking when reminded of the trauma
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Reenactment of traumatic event/past
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Withdrawing
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Anger
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Feeling strong guilt, horror or anger
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Having nightmares of the event
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Heightened sensitivity
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Oppositional behavior
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Other symptoms of anxiety
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Overly alert to danger (hypervigilance)
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Now that you know that you are not alone and have acknowledged the signs associated, Let's make a difference in our future.
Program benefits
Our program is designed to help participants reconnect with themselves through mental health & awareness using nature & outdoor activities as therapy, while gaining tools for long-term emotional health and personal empowerment. The WIN Program will include:
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Women Empowerment Sessions
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Trail Walks & Hiking
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Self-Defense Classes
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Firearm Skills Training
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Fishing
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Beginner Archery
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Camping
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Ladies Night Out Meetings
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These activities help foster healing across emotional, psychological, and physiological dimensions.
Here's how:
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1. Emotional Healing and Regulation
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Safe emotional outlet: Physical activities offer a way to release built-up tension and process difficult emotions without needing to verbalize them.
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Empowerment: Mastery of skills like archery or fishing can restore a sense of control, confidence, and agency often disrupted by trauma.
2. Mental and Psychological Benefits
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Reduction in PTSD symptoms: Time in nature is associated with reduced anxiety, depression, and hypervigilance—common symptoms of trauma.
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Mindfulness and grounding: Activities like walking and hiking encourage present-moment awareness, helping to reduce dissociation and intrusive thoughts.
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Cognitive restructuring: Engaging in new, positive experiences helps rewire the brain's stress response and build resilience.
3. Social Reconnection and Trust Building
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Rebuilding trust in others: Group activities foster safe social interactions, helping survivors reestablish interpersonal trust.
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Sense of belonging: Participation in community gardens, walking groups, or fishing helps reduce isolation.
4. Physiological and Nervous System Regulation
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Regulation of the stress response: Gentle rhythmic actions (like casting a line or walking on a trail) can calm the autonomic nervous system.
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Improved sleep and appetite: Regular outdoor activity promotes better sleep cycles and overall body regulation.
5. Identity and Self-Worth
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Reclaiming space and self: Engaging in traditionally empowering, skill-based activities helps survivors redefine themselves outside of victimhood.
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Nature as a mirror: Time outdoors can promote self-reflection and a sense of connectedness to something larger, which supports spiritual healing.
Join Us
Women In Nature Program
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Positive change and support
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Women In Nature (WIN) Women In Nature (WIN) is a trauma-informed outdoor wellness program that supports girls and women impacted by emotional, physical, or psychological trauma through healing-centered, nature-based experiences.
Our program is designed to help participants reconnect with themselves and the world around them, while gaining tools for long-term emotional health and personal empowerment.
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Join The WIN Program and start your healing process.
