My mom is the reason I'm connected to our forestland. I'm shy to write about my land connection, which manifests as creative inspiration, much less talk about it, because my mom passed away over two years ago. Now the reasons for loving our stewardship forestland are so deep, so nuanced, and so filled with grief that I fear I might fall apart were I to explain it all. Simply put: all reasons lead back to my mom.

Every forest has a story to tell.

Guest Post By Phyllis Ridge, forest landowner and 2012 WaTW Retreat graduate

Explore My Land Plan to Protect and Enjoy Your Woods

By Amanda Cooke

It’s likely you have children, perhaps grandchildren, and it’s probable that you own forest land too. If you wish your offspring to have some attachment to that land, if you expect them to care for it as you do when you turn it over to them, begin now!

Antelope Valley, Idaho (a prose poem)

—Renée E. D’Aoust