Welcome to the Team!
PLEASE JOIN US AS WE WELCOME OGFN’S NEWEST TEAM MEMBER, Great lakes REGIONAL MANAGER, leona addie!
As the new Great Lakes Regional Manager, Leona oversees growing, enhancing, and connecting the Old-Growth Forest Network in the Great Lakes watershed, including Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, and Ohio. Keep reading to learn more about our newest Regional Manager!
What is your background as it relates to old-growth forest preservation?
While this is my first position dealing directly with old-growth forests, it is a subject that is near and dear to my heart. I have always found myself drawn to old growth forests; I think it is reminiscent of my childhood where every spare moment was spent exploring the forests near my home. My goal is to protect these places so future generations can have the same opportunity to appreciate them as I have.
What is your favorite forest and why?
Oh man! Since you’re making me choose, I think it will have to be the Huron-Manistee National Forest. Which almost feels like a copout answer as it is so large, but I’ve spent many summers there helping friends conduct their wildlife research projects. I’ve had the pleasure of tracking American martens through mature conifer/mixed deciduous forests, spotted turtles in fens and bogs, and snowshoe hares in the aspen forest. I always look forward to whatever adventure will come from my time there, everything from camping and kayaking, to quietly observing and getting lost.
View from my tent while conducting research in the Huron-Manistee National Forest.
What inspired you to join the OGFN team?
I’ve been working as a conservation technician in land management in different capacities and organizations in Michigan for the past eight years. And while the work was meaningful, I felt as if I could be making a larger impact in the conservation world. My position here at the OGFN is exactly what I missing; working collectively with Tribal governments, government agencies, non-profits, and citizens across the United States to build a network that protects these vulnerable ecosystems.
What has been the most rewarding thing so far working for OGFN?
Whenever I discuss my job, either professionally or personally, the excitement that people have for our mission is exhilarating. It always leads to a wonderful conversation about a forest they love, a forest that could be added to the OGFN, or other conservation issues. It’s inspiring.
Why do you think old-growth forests should be protected in perpetuity?
From a scientific viewpoint, I’ll quote John Muir, “When we tug at a single thing in nature, we find it attached to the rest of the world”. We are aware of the ecological value in terms of carbon sequestration, biodiversity, wildlife habitat, clean water, erosion control etc., but what is their value in the web of Earths systems? How much mature forest can we lose before it impacts other ecosystems? What will the effect be? How much can the Earth endure? We need to protect old-growth so we don’t have to find out.
From a personal perspective, their intrinsic value is irreplaceable; the feelings of appreciation, admiration, humility, wonder, curiosity, relaxation, and excitement that wash over us when are in these spaces. The respect we feel for the forest itself, its resilience and perseverance. How we lose track of time and our worries and responsibilities drift to the wayside. Truly magical places.
Hiking at Hartwick Pines.
