Margaret’s Choice
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
Emma’s Cherry Tree
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
Delving into Woodlands: Much More than Meets the Eye
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
“Tuck” Hatfield Remembered
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
Herland’s first burial
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
Quote: We are a part of and parcel of our surroundings
I am I plus my surroundings and if I do not preserve the latter, I do not preserve myself. ~Jose Ortega Y Gasset
Quote: Land is a community
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
Quote: an ecologically sound society
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
Quote: everyone needs beauty as well as bread
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
Quote: The folly of not valuing soil, Galileo Galilei
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
Video: Green Burial and Land Conservation
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
Video: Saving One Million Acres for Two Thousand Years: Billy Campbell talks conservation burial
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
think outside the box
A short video that lays out the simple benefits of natural burial, for ourselves, our families and our future.
Video outlines resource consumption in conventional cemetery
This video was presented by MourningDoula.com, an organization focused on training death midwives.
Get to Know a Guardian – Lynn
A thoughtful letter from of Herland’s founding Guardians, Lynn. I found Herland from the Windward website. My friend Jonah in Portland sent me a link to Windward, and there was Herland. I’ve always wanted to simply be buried in the … Continued