County Coordinator Appreciation: Ryan Dunn
The Old-Growth Forest Network wouldn’t be able to continue our mission of creating a national network of protected old-growth forests without our County Coordinators! They are the on-the-ground experts of their local communities and know all about the forests that are near and dear to their hearts. To honor our amazing volunteers, we showcase one County Coordinator each month and share more about what makes them so special.
Name: Ryan Dunn
Home town (current): Parkville, MD
County (counties) where you volunteer (and state): Baltimore County, Baltimore City, Montgomery County PA
Forest Nomination(s)to date: Patapsco Hilton Area
In 3 to 4 sentences, describe yourself to the OGFN community: I am a web developer/programmer that is also an amature forager. For years, I hiked and backpacked solely for the clean air and magnificent mountaintop views. A few years ago I found an app, iNaturalist, that allowed me to safely forage and provide a deeper understanding of this complex machine that is nature. I now volunteer with the OGFN to learn from and connect with the local conservation community and offer my skillset to the table.
Favorite Forest: Alan Seeger Natural Area - Rothrock State Forest
Favorite Tree species: Tulip Poplar
Favorite Season: Spring
Favorite snack on hikes: Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich
Favorite hiking gear: Salomon Hiking shoes
What inspired you to volunteer as a county coordinator? As I was reading 'The Wild Trees', the author mentioned that lungwort lichens provide essential nitrogen to the tree canopy ecosystem and they only grow in mature, clean forests. When visiting some mature forests in the Adirondacks, I found some lettuce lungwort attached to a tree and from then on I knew that when a forest is left alone, it elevates to a near magical state. I feel a need to do all that I can to protect as much intact forest as possible in my local community because I believe that working locally is the most direct and effective way of making real change happen.
THIS COULD BE YOU!
Are you interested in volunteering to be a County Coordinator with OGFN? Fill out this simple form today and the Regional Manager for your area will contact you shortly.
