One of the delights of the Portland area is Willamette Week, an alternative newspaper that covers the city’s cultural resources. Currently, they’re doing a series on the best place in the Portland area to do all sort of things. We … Continued
In July of 2020, Herland Forest became the first facility in the country to be licensed to perform the natural organic reduction of human remains. In December, we began the first reduction, and incorporated what we learned into the design … Continued
The term investment refers to the process of placing someone’s remains into a natural organic reduction vessel encased in the organic matter and organisms needed to transform the remains into soil. It’s similar to how the term investment is used … Continued
Herland Forest is different. Instead of rows of graves, you’ll find resting places that are tucked away in forest clearings. Instead of cramped burials where people are squeezed together, Herland Forest is open and vibrant with life. Located right at … Continued
Late summer is a stressful time for a forest. That’s especially true for a forest that evolved to survive the wild fires started by the August thunderstorms. When a thunderstorm comes through, it’s common to see hundreds of lighting strikes, … Continued
Want to be buried on your own land? We can help. Herland Forest is pleased to announce that it has been granted a license by Washington state to operate the country’s first natural organic reduction facility. It’s been an interesting … Continued
A key goal of the Herland Forest is to help people spend time near their loved one; to craft a private place where they can come to enjoy the beauty of nature in a living memorial to love and devotion; … Continued
The Herland Forest natural burial cemetery is an exploration of the role of death in the circle of life. In winter, the separation between life and death can be very thin, but in spring, life returns with vigor; the tree … Continued
On the first day in April, folks are on the lookout for tricks and surprises. When I opened my door, expecting to enjoy a spring morning in the Herland Forest, I was surprised to find two inches of snow on … Continued
In order to limit the spread of the Covid-19 virus, the governors of Washington and Oregon have issued orders forbidding public gatherings; those orders include funerals. One result will be that in the days ahead, people will be choosing between … Continued
Our dear friend Elaine Clark has invited us to be part of the natural death program that she’s put together at her church in Seattle in late March. Elaine and her husband James are Guardians of Herland Forest, and Elaine’s … Continued
There are many reasons why the Windward crew decided to dedicate part of our land to become a natural burial cemetery. It took more than a decade to gain the legal permissions, to make the improvements that the county required, … Continued
We’ve been stewarding the Herland Forest for more than thirty years, and it seems like no two winters are the same. We’ve had winters where the snow drifts were more than four feet deep, and other winters without any snow … Continued
tracks in the snow show who’s active in winter
Creating a sustainable natural burial cemetery involves weaving lots of threads together, some of which are fairly obvious, but some threads need a bit of explanation. Goats are a good example. The primary permaculture role our goats play involves converting … Continued