When the Franks contacted us, they asked the intriguing question of whether it would be possible for them to be buried shoulder to shoulder? The sentiment was something we understood and appreciated, and since Herland Forest does not use concrete … Continued
From Chris’ memorial card: Christopher R. Heitner, 46, of Spokane, WA, passed away in his home on Oct. 6, 2018 of ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease). Chris was born in North Dakota in 1972. He went to Lewis & Clark H.S. … Continued
When someone decides that they want to become a Guardian of the Herland Forest, usually the next step is for them to spend time on the land and find a spot that feels right for them. Some prefer the burial … Continued
Usually, the first step in the interment of ashes from a cremation (often referred to as “cremains”) in the Herland Forest involves the loved one selecting a location that speaks to them. Then a hole is dug and a biodegradable … Continued
Last month, we had a most enjoyable visit from Will Smith, a writer for Enviro Gorge, an online magazine focused on the Columbia River Gorge area. That visit led to Herland getting a mention in this month’s issue. Here’s an … Continued
The Herland Forest is beautiful in May. It’s situated on the divide between the wetland forests of the western Cascades and the dryland forest that stretches away to the east. One result is that a steadily changing progression of wildflowers … Continued
It is with both sadness and hope that we write report that the burial of Herland’s first Guardian, Marilynn Burke of Portland Oregon took place on March 25th. Marilynn was a special individual. As an avid birder, she was enthusiastic … Continued
I am I plus my surroundings and if I do not preserve the latter, I do not preserve myself. ~Jose Ortega Y Gasset
We abuse the land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect.” ~Aldo Leopold
If there is to be an ecologically sound society, it will have to come the grass roots up, not from the top down.” ~Paul Hawken, The Ecology of Commerce
Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where Nature may heal and cheer and give strength to body and soul alike. ~John Muir
I recently came across this quote from Galileo, all those years ago, that I thought was very poignant. The care of our soils is of paramount importance, for it is from the soil that our life and livelihoods on the … Continued
Members of O.U.R. Ecovillage in Canada talk about the potentials of conservation and green burials. The model that the ecovillage in the video is trying to set up is something that we have already realized through the Windward Ecovillage and … Continued
Here is a video from Doctor Billy Campbell, a pioneer of conservation burial within the United States. Wherein he discusses 1.) The demographics and economics of death in contemporary America 2.) The nuts and bolts of conservation burial 3.) The … Continued
A short video that lays out the simple benefits of natural burial, for ourselves, our families and our future.