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Winter Greetings from The Forest

January 15, 2025
table with sound bowl and literature at the Winter Solstice Celebration 2025 at The Forest
guests have guided tour of The Forest during Winter Solstice Celebration
guests have guided tour with Suzanne Willow of The Forest during Winter Solstice Celebration

Wintertime at the Burial Ground

It is truly a gift to gather with our community to celebrate each seasonal turning at the burial ground. Each gathering leaves me feeling more connected to this land and to others who believe in our work. This year we celebrated with folks who were visiting The Forest for the first time and others who have been connected to this place for decades. This particular celebration fell on the second anniversary of Lanita’s death. We honored her life by visiting her grave and offering gifts of persimmon, Suzanne’s apple pie, and flowers. We know that we are holding each other in this experience of life and death and we are grateful to be in this with you.

If you are in the area and would like to come up for a visit, check the weather here. All-wheel or 4-wheel drive may be needed, and you might want to bring your skis or snowshoes! Unfortunately, we do not have any snow at the moment. Remember, we are above the  valley inversion layer and that means sunshine and clean air! Enjoy a self-guided visit to Willow-Witt Ranch any day of the week between 11am and 5pm. Remember to follow directions on the website and contributions to The Crest are always welcome from visitors. I strongly encourage you to book a visit at the Meadow House or Farmhouse Studio where prices are discounted 40% through April 2025.

Please plan to join us for the next seasonal shift. Honoring the earth and welcoming our community is important to us. Mark your calendars for the Spring Equinox Celebration on Sunday, March 16, 2025. We will offer a guided tour at 2pm and the celebration begins at 3pm. BYO warm drinks to enjoy by the fire.

With care,
Mary Ann Perry, Sexton

P.S. Have you had a positive experience with us? If so, please write a Google Review to help others connect with The Forest.

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Species Spotlight

Great Gray Owl in flight during winter

The Great Gray Owl

A silent-flyer and elusive beauty, the Great Gray Owl (Strix nebulosa) is a species that has been spotted at The Forest over the years. These birds have a keen sense of hearing and use their asymmetrical ear openings to precisely locate prey. Great Grays are strong predators, hunting up to seven small mammals per day in the winter – even breaking through hard packed snow to do so. It is a delight to come across these impressive birds perched on a fencepost or gracefully crossing the meadow.

Photo by Ian Davies, Macaulay Library

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Laura Hardin, marketing and sales

Welcome Laura!

Laura joins our nimble team at Willow-Witt Ranch and The Forest Conservation Burial Ground as an experienced operations leader committed to developing and implementing sustainable business practices and people-first development strategies. With over 15 years experience at the intersection of business design, marketing and sales she is a savvy producer, project and people manager. Laura is an avid community builder, organizer, and event planner with an unwavering commitment to client satisfaction.

Laura is the proud mom of two young girls, a seasoned trail runner, mushroom forager, and music appreciator. Her newest hobbies include perfecting her pizza recipes, setting new PR’s on the ranch’s Turtle Trot loop, and finding her way into birding circles. She also promises some day she will learn to sew and write her magnum opus on the guitar.

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More News & Events!

SAVE THE DATE: Conservation Burial Class and Field Trip with Ashland Parks & Rec. April 6 & 7, 2025

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PHONE

541.625.9697

EMAIL

info@theforestconservationburial.org

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Green Burial Council certified member
The Forest Conservation Burial Ground is certified by the Green Burial Council