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HEARTWOOD is a regional network that protects forests and supports community activism in the eastern United States through education, advocacy, and citizen empowerment.

HEARTWOOD was founded in 1991, when concerned citizens from several midwestern states met and agreed to work together to protect the heartland hardwood forest.

This region was once blanketed with a majestic hardwood forest containing more than 70 species of hardwood trees. Unfortunately, much of this forest has been cleared and what remains is mostly isolated fragments of public land that nonetheless play a critical role in providing habitat for wildlife, purifying the air and water, moderating global climate change, and offering places of beauty and enjoyment. .

Today, our efforts remain rooted in the heart of the central hardwood region, with an emphasis on our “core states” of Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Kentucky, and Missouri. Over time, Heartwood has branched out to serve areas of need throughout an 18-state region, giving special attention to the “at risk” national forests in Michigan, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, Arkansas, West Virginia, and Virginia.


The Heartwood Region

Join us as we explore the land, people, issues and opportunities in our region using the power of online maps! Our maps section is growing... check it out and help us add more interesting information.


Success from First Round of Mini-Grant Recipients!

Heartwood presented mini-grant awards to four organizations at this year's Forest Council. The groups are already putting the funds to good use. Here are the winners and their projects:
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Forest Council 2010:

20th annual event returns to site of original Forest Council; draws strength from its roots.

Driving through the arched entrance and down the long, canopied road into Camp Ondessonk provided a preview of what the 2010 Forest Council weekend would feel like. The Camp is nestled in a valley surrounded by Shawnee National Forest in Southern Illinois. Arriving there for the weekend, one felt comfortable, safe, and expectant. We knew we were in a special place and were soon surrounded by special people. Before the weekend was over, our expectations were exceeded, and we were exhausted. Many memories were made, friendships renewed, and alliances forged. The 2010 Forest Council was a successful event that will continue to benefit Heartwood members and their communities for a long while into the future.
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Biomass Incinerator withdraws permit application in Indiana

The Concerned Citizens of Crawford County have just announced that Liberty Green Renewables LLC (LGR), the company proposing to build a 32 megawatt biomass incinerator in Milltown, Indiana, has withdrawn its permit application to discharge wastewater from the plant on-site, effectively signaling a successful conclusion to an eighteen month organizing effort to stop the incinerator.
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Coal Country Music

Mountaintop Removal CD

Buy the CD

Heartwood partnered with singer/songwriter Jason Wilber, guitar player for John Prine, to produce a compilation CD of music by nationally known recording artists, to raise awareness about and help stop the tragedy of mountaintop removal coal-mining.

Coal Country Music is the companion CD to the award-winning documentary Coal Country by film-makers Mari-Lynn Evans and Phylis Geller whose previous documentary, The Appalachians, was widely shown on PBS. Coal Country Music includes liner notes by Ashley Judd and Woody Harrelson and information about the Alliance for Appalachia. All proceeds from the sale of the CD will be used to support the work of the Alliance for Appalachia of which Heartwood is a member and be used to STOP mountaintop removal coal-mining.

For more information, contact Andy Mahler, 812.723.2430