By OGFN Executive Director, Sarah Adloo
One of the most iconic eastern old-growth forests has finally found its spot in the Network. On July 31, 2026, Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest was formally inducted into the Old-Growth Forest Network as the Network’s 350th recognized forest.
There are some forests that stay with people through their whole lives. Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest is certainly one of these places. Walking into this forest gives you a lasting sense of feeling small in a magnificent cathedral. A visit to this preserved grove instills awe that this kind of forest once covered much more of the Southern Appalachian mountains than what is left today.
Known for its towering tulip poplars, cucumber magnolias, and basswoods, Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest is one of the East's treasured examples of old-growth forest, cited in many guidebooks including OGFN Founder Joan Maloof’s Among the Ancients. Surrounding the impressive trees is a lush understory that showcases the extraordinary biodiversity of the Southern Appalachian temperate rainforest. I’ve heard time and time again from folks that they can feel the same sense of awe standing among the magnificent cathedral of trees as they did when they were a child.
We are thrilled that the time finally came to celebrate its induction into the Network. Joining the Old-Growth Forest Network highlights how the long history of protection of this forest has allowed generations of people to see wildness of a forest unfold, including the rise and fall of big trees, rapid regrowth following wildfire, and experiencing the natural habitat of species that have been tied to the southern Appalachian mountains for hundreds of millions of years.
The late July celebration brought together representatives from local conservation organizations, Graham County and North Carolina Tourism, and community members for a ceremony at the forest trailhead, followed by a hike through this beautiful old-growth landscape. We were especially glad to recognize the ongoing work of local stewards, including Partners of Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness and Southern Appalachian Wilderness Stewards, who make sure people can experience this sensitive area while reducing adverse effects on the wilderness character.
Named for World War I soldier and poet Joyce Kilmer, whose famous poem Trees is inscribed at the trailhead kiosk, the forest was originally preserved following a campaign by his fellow soldiers to honor his memory. Many of the surrounding areas had already been logged, and this place could have been next, but the campaign to honor him through this forest dedication saved the forest and led the way for additional protected areas to eventually become part of the larger Slickrock Wilderness.
Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest was the sixth forest recognized by OGFN in North Carolina and marks an exciting milestone in the organization's 15-year history. We are proud to recognize Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest as a beautiful example of what OGFN seeks to accomplish: uniting our rare, remaining places where natural processes prevail, are protected in perpetuity for future generations, and create a community of people who care deeply for them.
