Participation Type
Paper
Session Title
Session 10.01 Environment and Ecology
Presentation #1 Title
Foundlings: Old-Growth Forest Groves in Eastern Townships
Presentation #1 Abstract or Summary
Over the past 200 years, most of the forestland growing in the eastern United States has at one time been logged for timber, cultivated for agriculture or developed into urban and suburban spaces. Though millions of wooded acres still exist in national forests, parks, and preserves, very little of that land should be considered undisturbed or old-growth, and much of the remaining ancient woods are located in remote areas. Given these realities, it may be surprising to learn that pockets of very old trees, or groves, still survive in American cities and suburbs. Protected by accidental providence or intentionally saved, some of these remnant forests were transformed into much loved city parks and recreational areas while others have remained largely anonymous. Foundlings: Old-Growth Forest Groves in Eastern Townships attempts to provide readers with a literary and environmental history of several of these old eastern woods. Foundlings discusses the mythology and lore of trees groves in western thought as it argues that these vestige forests play a part in America’s cultural identity. In addition to being places of awe and significance to visitors, Foundlings stresses that forest groves provide crucial animal habitats and offer environmental buffer-zones that shield waterways from encroaching sprawl. Finally, through firsthand accounts, this work supplies readers with maps of these remaining groves and advocates that readers visit the sites and ultimately protect them.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #1
Scott Honeycutt, Ph.D. worked for years as a high school English teacher and is currently employed as an assistant professor of English at East Tennessee State University. Scott enjoys mountain rambles and researching writings about walkers, naturalists, and ancient trees.
Foundlings: Old-Growth Forest Groves in Eastern Townships
Corbly Hall 244
Over the past 200 years, most of the forestland growing in the eastern United States has at one time been logged for timber, cultivated for agriculture or developed into urban and suburban spaces. Though millions of wooded acres still exist in national forests, parks, and preserves, very little of that land should be considered undisturbed or old-growth, and much of the remaining ancient woods are located in remote areas. Given these realities, it may be surprising to learn that pockets of very old trees, or groves, still survive in American cities and suburbs. Protected by accidental providence or intentionally saved, some of these remnant forests were transformed into much loved city parks and recreational areas while others have remained largely anonymous. Foundlings: Old-Growth Forest Groves in Eastern Townships attempts to provide readers with a literary and environmental history of several of these old eastern woods. Foundlings discusses the mythology and lore of trees groves in western thought as it argues that these vestige forests play a part in America’s cultural identity. In addition to being places of awe and significance to visitors, Foundlings stresses that forest groves provide crucial animal habitats and offer environmental buffer-zones that shield waterways from encroaching sprawl. Finally, through firsthand accounts, this work supplies readers with maps of these remaining groves and advocates that readers visit the sites and ultimately protect them.
