Royal Oak Garden Club Learns about the Importnace of Forests with Dr. Joan Maloof

Celebrating 20 years of membership-driven programs, the Royal Oak Garden Club enjoyed a special presentation by Dr. Joan Maloof on Monday, September 24, 2018. Approximately 60 guests including guests from other local garden clubs and organizations were welcomed to the lovely property of Ralph and Christine Cruikshank to learn about the importance of forests from this well known local author. Dr. Maloof, who is the founder and executive director of the Old-Growth Forest Network, is committed to building a network of forests which will be forever protected from logging as well as presenting educational programs such as the one she presented to Royal Oak Garden Club.

The program began with remarks by the Royal Oak Garden Club president Marcia Fidis followed by an introduction by Lisa Ghezzi, a Talbot County Master Gardener and also the president of the Board of Directors of the Old-Growth Forest Network.

The morning was gray and wet as Dr. Maloof began. She gently reminded the attendees how the rain is so very important to our forests. She then deftly shifted the group’s attention to that of the planet at large, what it has been through, where it is now, and where it is going. According to one participant, Maloof had a way of bringing everyone to the present moment, to a space where everyone could listen and understand what it means to be an old-growth forest, what the challenges were to preserve them and how we as a species had an obligation to protect them. Captivating and full of knowledge, Maloof shared the details of the forest, from the smallest to greatest, allowing all to learn about the old-growth forests in our area and what we can do to preserve these most precious areas for generations to come.

Maloof’s books include Teaching the Trees (2005), Among the Ancients (2011), Nature’s Temples: the Complex World of Old-Growth Forests (2016), and The Living Forest: A Visual Journey into the Heart of the Woods (2017). In addition to her research and writing, Maloof founded an organization with the goal of creating a network of protected forests across the US. That organization, the Old-Growth Forest Network, now has thousands of supporters. Maloof travels widely to educate others regarding the extent and condition of our forests, and encourage their preservation.

The Old-Growth Forest Network (“OGFN”) focuses upon connecting people with nature by creating a national network of protected, mature, publicly accessible, native forests while simultaneously strengthening the connection between the people that care about these forests. OGFN’s staff work to identify forests for the Network, ensure their protection from logging, and inform people of the locations of these exceptional forests. OGFN also recognizes exceptional forest advocates, educates about the extraordinary ecological and wellness benefits of old-growth forests, and speaks out regarding immediate threats to specific ancient forests. Founded in 2012 by Joan Maloof, PhD in ecology and professor emeritus, the Network currently has 80 forests in 20 states. Learn more at www.oldgrowthforest.net.

For those interested in the Royal Oak Garden Club contact Judy Anglada, [email protected] or 410 819 6654.