People Helping People Protect the Places they Love

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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.

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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:

Concerned Citizens of Scott County received $1,000 to further its fight against an industrial biomass incinerator proposed for Scottsburg, Indiana. We are thrilled to report that because of CCSC's hard work, in July the county planning commission denied the company's plans for the incinerator!
Kentucky Mountain Justice received $500 to help construct its Mountain Justice Sustainable Campground and Center for Coalfield Outreach in Letcher County, Kentucky. The facility has already been put to good use, as it was the site for this year's Mountain Justice Summer Camp.
Allegheny Defense Project received $500 for its plans to recruit, train, and mobilize activists for forest and river watch activities in the Allegheny National Forest in Pennsylvania.
Virginia Forest Watch received $500 for its "Virginia Mountain Treasures" DVD presentation and outreach program, which travels around Virginia showing photos of beautiful wild areas of the commonwealth to encourage its residents to visit, monitor, and advocate for these areas.

Congratulations again to these wonderful folks and our sincerest thanks to them for their dedication and efforts to protect the places they love.