"The Return of Old Growth Forests" film event

In January we held a screening of "The Lost Forests of New England" at the Simsbury (CT) Public Library, co-sponsored by the Simsbury Land Trust and the library. Interest in the topic of old-growth forests continues to increase, so these co-sponsors have invited us to present the film "The Return of Old Growth Forests" on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. And we're more than pleased to do so.

 

Old-growth Yellow Birch bark

Less than 1% of New England forest land is old growth. A high percentage of central New England land is cloaked in second-growth forest that is recovering from the massive land clearing of former agricultural years. A significant amount of such second-growth, which is at most 150 or so years old, should be set aside to eventually become old-growth once again, allowing it to regain greater biodiversity, an improved gene pool, and therefore enhanced resilience and adaptability (not to mention natural beauty). For a more detailed discussion, see this earlier blog article.

In this one-hour film, we will learn how to recognize some of the characteristics of our remnant, northeastern old-growth forests, with scenes from several of our most beautiful. 

Also, several scientists explain why these natural old forests are so important.

Environmental scientist Margery Winters explains “morticulture”, the role that dead, hollow, and fallen trees play in forest ecology. 

Ed Faison, Senior Ecologist at Highstead, discusses nature-managed vs actively-managed forests.

And atmospheric physicist Anastassia Makarieva introduces us to the "Biotic Pump" theory (which she co-authored), which describes how old, native, natural forests bring fresh water inland from the sea to themselves (and us!); it also accounts for the little-known but vastly significant role that old forests play in stabilizing the Earth's climate, moderating temperatures, storms, and droughts. (Note: we will soon be releasing a new film that expands on this biotic pump topic, so it would be helpful to see this film first).

This 6:30pm program is free and open to the public. There will be a Q&A session following the film. More info, and pre-registration, at the Simsbury Public Library website.