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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 Reunion
The Reunion is held each year over Columbus Day weekend at the Lazy Black Bear, a one-of-a-kind rustic farm and lodge nestled in the wooded hills of the Hoosier National Forest near Paoli, Indiana.
Don't be misled by the name: The Reunion welcomes newcomers and old-timers alike. Learn what's happening in your world and what you can do to make it better. Enjoy an informative and inspiring program, great food, and lively entertainment, all in a beautiful forest setting. Meet your neighbors and the extended network of friends and family you may not even know you have.
