Globally, forests absorb large amounts of carbon dioxide and turn it into wood (in living and dead trees), and soil organic matter. This carbon is safely sequestered away from the atmosphere, where it can’t trap heat and contribute to climate change. Almost a third of the CO2 emitted by humans has been absorbed by the world’s forests over the past few decades, roughly the same amount that was taken up by oceans – this is obviously a very big deal … Read more
Even for the most basic day trip in a park there are a few must-bring items, things like water, a warm or waterproof layer, and a smart phone! A few years ago I realized my phone is not merely a useful piece of outdoor gear (GPS / camera etc.), it’s actually the most powerful conservation tool I own. It lets me learn and keep track of new species, identify and report invasive species, record disease / pest-resistant trees, identify and … Read more
A few years ago I got an email about a 510-year-old Black Gum tree growing behind an archery club in Niagara Falls. Nate Torenvliet, an arborist and amateur old-growth sleuth, had found the tree, drilled out a tree core (a pencil-shaped section of wood), and counted 498 annual growth rings. Another tree nearby was more than 400 years old. This unassuming woodlot near Niagara Falls was first identified in 2003 by the late Bruce Kershner, an old-growth researcher from New York State. Later the same … Read more