Ontario’s Old-Growth Forests is a 232 page full- colour book that was published in 2010. The first edition sold 3700 copies, a second edition is now available. It has a rating of 4.7/5 at amazon.ca and 4.44/5 at Goodreads (learn more).

Michael Henry is a forest ecologist who focuses on conservation of old growth forests, including threats from invasive species, development and logging. Michael has spent over two decades studying and working to conserve Ontario’s old-growth forests. He writes blog posts, magazine articles, reports, and books about forest conservation. He is lead author of the successful book Ontario’s old-growth forests (second edition in press). He is currently working to raise awareness about invasive species, including addressing the root causes; and he is working for protection of old-growth forests in Algonquin Park, Temagami and the Spanish Forest. Much of his most direct, applied conservation work has been pro bono. Michael has also worked as a natural builder, and is lead author of the book Essential Natural Plasters: A Guide to Materials, Recipes, and Use (publication May 2018, New Society Publishers). He is currently living with his family in Peterborough, Ontario, where he has been alarmed at the impacts invasive species are having on his local forests.

Michael is available for speaking engagements. His presentations typically focus on the wonder of old growth forests, and connections to larger sustainability issues including invasive species, climate change, protected areas, and the urban environment. His presentations are essentially hopeful, without ignoring the very real challenges that face us.

Email: info@oldgrowth.ca

Some accomplishments:

  • Michael Henry identified the problem of unprotected old-growth forest in Algonquin Park over a decade ago. In 2018 Henry and Torenvliet found unprotected forest over 400 years old in the park. This was covered in the Toronto Star.
  • His 2017 article in ON Nature magazine, the great invasion, drew attention to the problem of tree-killing pests and diseases.
  • Henry led the study confirming that the Jackson Creek Forest in Peterborough Ontario is an old-growth forest, which helped prevent the construction of the parkway extension through the forest.
  • He built the ecology trail system in the unprotected old-growth forests of Blueberry Lake, Temagami, and wrote the trail guide.
  • Having worked with Peter Quinby in the Lower Spanish Forest, Michael Henry and Tom Lee prepared maps and presentations of the old-growth forest around the Spanish River. They fought to have it incorporated into the Spanish River Provincial Park (38% of the old growth was included). Henry designed the proposed Rushbrook Park Expansion which would bring the protection up to half of the old growth forest.
  • Michael Henry compiled and maintains the list of Ontario’s Oldest Trees.
  • He wrote the popular guidebook Ontario’s old-growth forests, with contributions from Peter Quinby and numerous guest essayists, and took the majority of the photos featured in the book (Patrick Henry also has many photo credits in the book). He worked with Tom Lee to create the maps in the book.

Current projects and interests:

Support Ontario’s Old-Growth Forests

You can support my work to protect old-growth forests in Algonquin Park, the Spanish Forest, Temagami, and Southern Ontario by contributing to my GoFundMe campaign to Save Ontario’s old-growth forests. Any size of contribution helps me keep doing this work, and supports this website. Thank you!