Tending Your Forest Offers Landowners Actionable Guidance and Invaluable Advice
Written by Ami Kane
I joined the Guild staff back in August and while I arrived to the team with a strong background in nonprofit management and philanthropy, I am a novice to the world of forestry. My passion for trees brought me to this mission, but I knew I’d have so much knowledge to build about stewardship, ecological forestry, sustainable practices, etc., to truly grasp the value that the Guild offers our forests.
When it was brought to me that an advanced copy of Paul Catanzaro and Anthony D’Amato’s new book, Tending Your Forest, was made available to the Guild, I was excited for the opportunity to review it. I dove into this read knowing that I would learn a ton, but I hadn’t anticipated how engaging the read would be, especially as someone who doesn’t directly own a plot of land to steward.
Whatever anxieties I had about how its content might be over my head or its focus irrelevant to my life were quickly assuaged as I dug in. Catanzaro and D’Amato’s style balances zooming into technical details when those are relevant, while keeping an eye on a big picture, and flexible philosophy that educates and empowers but doesn’t shame landowners who may not know where to start. They build connections between individual choices in the short run, to a long-term stewardship mentality, which requires an eye to forecasting impact on the next generation, or even better, seven generations down the line, as Indigenous stewards teach.
My favorite thing about the book is how its layout is structured so that it meets many different reader needs and learning styles. It has long-form details for those who learn through in-depth reading, alongside pop-out boxes of practical, hands-on “field guide” style activities those who need to experience to learn will enjoy. These activities encourage landowners to put their boots on and get out there to analyze their land’s current state, their personal goals, and what key questions to ask themselves. The suggested activities will also enable landowners to discover or refine their stewardship goals and select the best strategies and concrete next steps needed to implement and reach them.
I love to read when flying, so I had planned to check out Tending Your Forest when I was in transit between my adult home in Austin, TX and a recent visit to my home of origin in the suburbs of Indianapolis, IN. The geographic focus of Tending Your Forest is the northeast quadrant of the US which spans from Maine to Minnesota, with Indiana right in its heart. I hadn’t intentionally planned to use the knowledge I gained when I arrived, but I found that I couldn’t help but talk about the book. Discussions were especially relevant with my in-laws who Town a small wooded piece of land they plan to keep wooded in an area of rapid new development. Some of the tips and activities Catanzaro and D’Amato shared came up more than once during my visit and they are excited to explore them further.
For any landowners who may have an interest in ecological forestry in particular but who may feel intimidated about where to start, Tending Your Forest should be a go-to resource. Catanzaro and D’Amato have lovingly and expertly crafted a book that is part how-to guide, part science text, part sage advice, part practical hands-on workbook, and part goal-setting and strategy. Tending Your Forest will officially be released on March 17 and can be found at your favorite bookseller!