Lee & Michele

On Tuesday, January 14, the Natural History Society examined old growth stumps and discovered what they mean to forest health. We walked approximately four miles at Port Gamble Forest Heritage Park on old logging roads and moderately maintained trails with little elevation gain. This is one of the largest lowland forests remaining in West Puget Sound.

Inspiration for this outing came from the Natural History Society Book Club’s October 2019 selection,  Wintergreen: Rambles in a Ravaged Land, by Robert M. Pyle.  The author wrote, “… a good stump is a wonderful thing to teach the watchful naturalist.” This gave many of us unexpected insights. We encouraged everyone to share 2-3 sentences from Wintergreen on this walk.

stump

Many community partners launched a visionary campaign in 2011 to conserve Port Gamble Forest Heritage Park and surrounding forestland and coastline from the timber industry and over-development. There’s a new vision and hope for the forest, restoring it as a more natural ecosystem.  What better place to  share thoughts and new hope for 2020?

Lee at JLTnatural@saveland.org provided meeting time and place, what to bring, and additional information.