Why I Believe in the Old-Growth Forest Network
Dear Supporters of the Old-Growth Forest Network,
My name is Robert (Bob) T. Leverett and I am proud to serve as an Old-Growth Forest Network (OGFN) county coordinator in western Massachusetts. As co-founder of the Native Tree Society, senior advisor to the National Champion Tree Program, and co-discoverer of most known old-growth forests in Massachusetts, I’m honored to contribute to OGFN’s mission.
Mohawk Trail State Forest (Franklin County, MA).
Growing up in the southern Appalachians, I discovered the profound power of old forests, which bear the marks of centuries of continuous, intact existence. I learned to recognize these markers not only in groves of towering trees but also in places with Tolkien-like forms—stunted, gnarled, and defiant against the raw forces that threaten their survival. All of these forests have been shaped by natural processes acting over centuries, creating a wealth of biodiversity that only Mother Nature can provide.
“OGFN is about teaching and sharing.”
When my friend Joan Maloof created OGFN, I believed that her vision could not only serve to raise public awareness about the remnants of the continent’s original forests and offer visitors places to experience their magic and mystery. OGFN is about teaching and sharing. Since those early days, OGFN has grown to spectacularly fulfill Joan’s vision and is now under the capable leadership of Executive Director Sarah Adloo.
This Giving Tuesday Season, I invite you to make a meaningful impact by donating to OGFN. Your contribution—no matter the amount—strengthens their ability to share the magic and mystery of these forests with those who cherish them and those just discovering their unique power.
One of my proudest accomplishments is co-authoring The Sierra Club Guide to the Ancient Forests of the Northeast with the late Bruce Kershner. Published in 2004, this now out-of-print guide has become a beloved resource for forest enthusiasts, detailing 121 hikes through the Northeast’s most captivating old-growth forests.
As a thank-you to those who can give a little more, I have donated several rare copies of The Sierra Club Guide to the Ancient Forests of the Northeast to OGFN’s Giving Tuesday campaign. With a donation of $300 or more, you can receive one of these cherished copies as a token of our gratitude, while supplies last.**
Please join me in ensuring OGFN’s mission endures, fostering appreciation for our oldest forests—living links to the past, inspirations in the present, and hope for the future.
Sincerely,
Bob Leverett
**ALL BOOKS HAVE BEEN CLAIMED AT THIS TIME
Bob Leverett
County Coordinator, Old-Growth Forest Network
Co-Founder, Native Tree Society
Co-Founder & President, Friends of Mohawk Trail State Forest
Co-Author, Sierra Club Guide to the Ancient Forests of the Northeast
Chair, Massachusetts Dept. of Conservation & Recreation Forest Reserve Science Advisory Committee
Senior Advisor, American Forests National Champion Tree Program
Principle Organizer, Ancient Eastern Forest Conference Series
The Old-Growth Forest Network is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. For donations of $300 or more, we are pleased to offer a copy of The Sierra Club Guide to the Ancient Forests of the Northeast as a gift while supplies last. The fair market value of this book is $100 and reduces the tax-deductible portion of your contribution by the fair market value amount. Please consult your tax advisor for more information on deductibility.
