MenuOld-Growth Forest Network
WebsiteMission Statement
Connecting people with nature by creating a national network of forests that will never be logged.
Description
Vision:
A national network of treasured forests where all generations can experience native biodiversity and the beauty of nature.
Goals and Objectives:
To ensure that ancient forests are within reach of as many children as possible, there should be at least one left "forever wild" in each county where forests naturally grow. These forests will have positive effects on both the humans and the wildlife in our nation. They will be open to visitation by all ages for physical recreation, spiritual renewal, natural history education and aesthetic appreciation. While purifying air and water, the forests will also serve as examples of the baseline conditions of our land and reservoirs of genetic diversity. The forests will be owned by many different public and private entities, but the Old-Growth Forest Network will serve as a centralized repository for recognition, protection, and information. As the network is built it will become easier for educators and families to connect with nearby old-growth forests.
Background:
Majestic forests supporting abundant animal populations were this nation's inheritance; today, most of those forests have been totally removed or radically altered. The Old-Growth Forest Network works to educate people about the condition of our nation's forests. We find the best examples of publically accessible, mature, native forest in each county, and then add them to the Old-Growth Forest Network so others may visit the forests and experience what the local landscape would be like in an undisturbed condition.
Program Details
The mission of the Old-Growth Forest Network (OGFN) is to connect people with nature by creating a national network of protected, mature, publicly accessible, native forests. The goal is to preserve at least one forest in every county in the United States that can sustain a forest, estimated to be 2,370 out of a total of 3,140 counties. OGFN’s program works to identify forests for the Network, ensure their protection from logging, and inform people of the forest locations.
Founded in 2012 by Joan Maloof, PhD in ecology and professor emeritus, OGFN currently has 100 forests in 22 states. OGFN also recognizes exceptional forest advocates, educates about the extraordinary ecological benefits of old-growth forests, and speaks out regarding immediate threats to specific ancient forests. Learn more at: www.oldgrowthforest.net.
