This Oregon forest, consisting of Douglas-fir, Western Redcedar, Western Hemlock, and Yew trees, is unique for many reasons. Being the largest intacts stand of Old growth forest in the western Cascades containing trees of 500 - 1000 years of age. It also has the largest uncut watershed in the state of Oregon.
This ancient forest system is a useful glimpse into a history of community structures dating back 1000 years that we are not wise to loose. With the impacts of the major logging push in the mid-twentieth century, forests are a resource which are on the diminishing end. These Old growth forests provide biological diversity, mixed-age stands, multi-layered canopies, healthy fungal ecosystems, Old growth lichen / bryophyte communities, presence of indicator species, intact soils, and so much more.
As modernization has always been, the actions do include causal changes in these systems. It would be ideal to learn as much as we are able before they are no more.
John Villella's "Mosses, Lichens and Liverworts of the Ancient Forest" workshop is an ideal way to get first-hand experience as to the grandeur and elegance of this ancient forest.
In April 2012, as assistant to Villella's workshop, my reality shifted as I stood breathless in the moist air of the ancient forest. The workshop engaged the participants by sharing knowledge on the integrative systems of the ancient forest, specifically mosses, lichens, and liverworts! The Opal Creek Ancient Forest Center is a very unique place for hands-on learning through a community setting.
