10 Ways to Protect an Old-Growth Forest
Photo courtesy of Robert Llewellyn.
Get to know your Forest:
Visiting a forest is an experience that can relieve and rejuvenate us, but imagine if you came to know the individual trees and species that make up a forest. Learning about the trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants that grow in the forest may help you understand the ecology of your community better, and also help you feel closer to nature. Many resources exist to help the public learn more about natural science, you can see if there is a Native Plant Society chapter near you, or find a field guide with descriptions of the types of plants, insects, and animals you might see. This could be an educational opportunity for you, your family, and friends to see how forests interact and positively impact our communities through creating habitat, cooler temperatures, and recreational opportunities. By getting to know your forest on a deeper level, the idea that a forest is more than the sum of its parts truly comes to life. - Ciera Wilbur
Host a Forest Field Trip for Kids:
Are you a teacher, a scout leader, a coach, a camp counselor? You can inspire the next generation of forest lovers and advocates by simply giving them a positive forest experience. Organize a field trip in the woods for your kids and give them an opportunity to feel at home there. Choose a forest-friendly activity that suits your audience. You can hike, play games, build forts, camp out, make nature art, or anything else that they are interested in. And if you don’t feel comfortable leading kids in the out-of-doors yourself, partner with a local environmental education center, biology teacher, nature-writing instructor, forest bathing guide or other forest-loving educator. Once children feel the magic of the forest for themselves, they will know its value for the rest of their lives. - Sarah RobbGrieco
Form a Friend of Park Group:
Parks are the heart of a community, a place where everyone can gather. Creating a Friends of Park Group allows you and your neighborhood to give back to the park. Whether you want to protect the area from logging or development, remove invasive species, upgrade to ADA accessible trails, clean the waterway, or have fundraising events to purchase land, your core group of passionate community members can make a difference by advocating for the forest. - Leona Addie
Advocate for Forest Protections Laws:
Advocating for forest protection laws starts with staying informed about local and national legislation affecting old-growth forests. The Old-Growth Forest Network, among many other organizations, is committed to staying as informed as possible with current pieces of legislation that may impact old-growth and mature forest communities, both at a local and federal level. If you want to stay in the loop, try contacting your local representatives, attending town hall meetings, and submitting public comments on proposed environmental policies to ensure forest conservation remains a priority. Many environmental organizations publish social media campaigns, petitions, and letter-writing resources, all of which are effective tools for raising awareness and pressuring lawmakers to act. - Christine Upton
Join or Support an Environmental Organization
Joining or supporting environmental organizations that spread awareness for forest protection at the state and federal level, like OGFN, can also amplify your impact. If it’s in your ability, support an organization by volunteering, donating, or spreading awareness for their cause. OGFN is a community of forest advocates who care deeply about old-growth forests and it is through their involvement and support that more and more forests are protected each year. Many organizations also frequently host local events that you may be able to join and meet others who are passionate about old-growth forest conservation. By building community support and speaking up consistently, you can help influence stronger, more enforceable protections for these irreplaceable and unique natural spaces. - Christine Upton
Vote for Green Leaders:
Voting for environmentally conscious leaders is one of the most effective ways to support old-growth and mature forest protection. The first step is simply knowing what ballot measures are coming up at the community, state, and federal levels. Stay in the know and track when initiatives and elections are coming up. Next, you can start researching candidates' track records on conservation, climate action, and forest management policies. Look for endorsements from reputable environmental organizations and read their platforms carefully to ensure they align with old-growth forest conservation goals. Participating in local, state, and federal elections ensures your voice helps shape policies that impact critical ecosystems. Encourage friends and family members to register and vote, and share information about candidates who prioritize environmental protection. When green leaders are elected, they can help influence the legislation and funding needed to safeguard our remaining old-growth and mature forests. - Christine Upton
Research Who is In Charge in Your Community:
Know who makes decisions about protecting natural resources in your jurisdiction. Is it a planning board, a natural resources commission, or a board of supervisors? When natural resources are threatened, it is important to know how and who to voice your concerns. You might consider starting at the Planning Department in your town/city/county to inquire about protections or restrictions in the local zoning code. Large suburban or urban jurisdictions may have a natural resources officer within the planning department. - Brian Kane
Share the Love of Your Forest Through Art:
Whether you write poetry, short stories, epic sci-fi sagas, or personal essays, write down your thoughts about the forest you love so much and share them with your friends, loved ones, and community. Do you paint, draw, or make multi-media collages? Create a work centered around what you feel when you step into your forest. Whatever artistic media or style you create with, use it to share what you love the most about your beloved forest. Take photos however you can: 35mm film, digital, phone camera, or a pinhole camera. Document your adoration for the forest. Put together a short play or monologue about what your forest means to you and perform it for your friends in the middle of your forest. - Christine Upton
Take a Hike in the Forest:
Gather a few friends or family members, and take a hike. If others are not as familiar with the forest, share with them Leave No Trace principles, and why it is important to stay on trail while hiking. If you know the terrain in advance, prepare your companions for the hike, with recommendations on the kind of hiking shoes to bring, and how steep or flat the hike may be. You will be spreading the best practices with others who may not be as familiar with respectful time in a forest full of so much life.
Share Nature’s Best Kept Secrets:
In the story of FernGully (spoiler alert!), Hexxus sat patiently waiting for his chance to destroy the last rainforest. Importantly, Hexxus wasn't vanquished at the end, he was imprisoned in a tree, which provides us with an increasingly relevant hidden lesson. What was once protected for generations may once again end up in the crosshairs of shifting policies and agendas. The demand for raw materials and scenic views will remain a constant underlying threat to old-growth forests and no protection comes with guaranteed permanence. If you spend enough time in forests you recognize that not all forests are equal, some are exceptional (hint: it's the old-growth), they have most of the magic and hidden treasures to be discovered. If you’re an avid forest lover, you probably have at least one secret spot, your “FernGully”, that you can’t imagine losing. We scowl at full parking lots, we hope the hikers behind us will take the fork and we insist on trying to keep the most inspiring, loveable, and magical places to ourselves while expecting future generations to treasure old-growth forests without ever knowing their treasure. Sharing experiences in our favorite forests with future generations is how we build a future of strong advocates and pass on the protections that stand the tests of time. - Nick Sanchez
