Summer Greetings from The Forest
Greetings friends,
The heat of summer has arrived, bringing with it countless opportunities to connect with the earth and each other. Whether you’re exploring the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument, visiting Ashland to take in a play, or just driving by, the cemetery is open to the public from dawn to dusk for forest bathing, trail walking, picnicking, and more. And to make it even more enticing, it’s about 15 degrees cooler up here than it is down in the valley!
Need a reason to put it on the calendar? We’re hosting a special Summer Solstice Celebration and Group Tour on Sunday, June 21st and we’d love to see you there.
Connecting our community to the forests and wetlands that comprise The Forest and Willow-Witt Ranch are fundamental to our missions, and we want everyone to come get to know and love them as we do. Curious how green burial functions as a tool of conservation? Check out this article, contact us with questions or sign up for a tour.
Take care and enjoy your summer,
The Forest Team
Upcoming Events
SUNDAY, JUNE 21ST, 10am-4pm
Summer Solstice Celebration and Group Tour
Join us at the burial grounds to welcome summer, walk the trails, learn about green burial, and contemplate the changing of the seasons.
SATURDAY, JUNE 27TH, 12-2pm
“I know a pro!” by Aging Stages Senior Services
Learn from a panel of professionals working in adult, senior, and end-of-life care as they share what they know, and how they can help make seniors’ lives easier.
SUNDAY, JULY 12, 1-6pm
Crest Fest 2026
Support environmental education nonprofit The Crest with a fun filled afternoon of local music, dancing, great food, and wonderful people, right here at Willow Witt Ranch.
Local Resources
SOLADA
The Southern Oregon Living and Dying Alliance (SOLADA) provides end of life resources, a provider directory, workshops, and hosts death cafes in multiple locations.
OLLI Spring Courses
Care Circles: Informal Aging Support and End of Life Preparation are two of the many “Life Planning” offerings in OLLI’s Spring Session. Open registration begins March 16, 2026. Visit the OLLI website.
ACCESS Senior Fair
The ACCESS Senior Fair (Tuesday, March 24, 2026 at Rogue X in Medford) connects seniors with essential resources. Consult with knowledgeable experts and uncover new ways to enrich your life.
What’s New at The Forest
Are your plans legally protected?
Recently, we’ve had a number of folks ask us how to make sure their wishes for disposition will be honored after death. This can be a concern if individuals cannot pre-pay for the services they’d like, or have no next-of-kin to carry out their wishes.
Whether you’re interested in natural burial or some other form of disposition, determining what will happen to your remains is an essential and often overlooked aspect of end of life planning. To eliminate uncertainty, follow your state’s legal requirements: each state is unique. In Oregon, you need a notarized or witnessed declaration in order to appoint a designated agent or memorialize personal preferences. In California, a healthcare power of attorney is required. To learn more, and to look up requirements for your state, check out Tonya Marsh’s ‘How to Document Your Funeral Plans’ or watch her webinar on the topic here.
The Forest Conservation Burial Ground is certified by the Green Burial Council