Stewardship is a concept with a rich history and many usages. Because “stewardship” means so many things to so many people, it is important for us to differentiate our stewardship philosophy from others.

Our stewardship centers on collaboration with nature, our emphasis is on ecological balance rather than control.

 

Learning from the Land

It is from a place of humility, awe, and reverence for the complex and effective ways of nature that we consider our relationship with the forest as one of collaboration, not management. We do not regard our position as one of power or proprietorship; we understand that natural forces are ultimately beyond our control.

We participate, observe, and learn from these ancient educators, with our bodies laboring in the forest alongside the sun and soil in a process of mutual growth and benefit.

• Stewardship calls us to create a lasting home while connecting with the wider community of life.
• We can only steward what we truly love.
• We can only love what we deeply understand—something we live with, spend time with, and keenly observe.

As stewards, we are deeply committed to:

• Learning from the land
• Deepening our understanding of the long-term ecological effects of using land as a natural cemetery

Intergenerational Community

At the heart of our stewardship is a commitment to long-term planning, one that transcends individual lifetimes and seeks to honor the forest’s natural timeline.

The life of a forest is long, its sentences spoken in decades, its stories older than humanity. To steward a forest, we must plan and act across timescales longer than one generation.

Windward’s approach to multi-generational stewardship is based on:

• Collective wisdom and resiliency
• Representative consensus-based decision-making, as outlined in the Windward Foundation’s bylaws

Sustainable Forestry Practices

At Herland Forest, we are committed to the long-term health of the cemetery and the forest. We practice sustainable forestry in various ways, guided by our recognition as a Washington State Stewardship Forest. You can learn more about our forestry practices by exploring our WA Forest Stewardship Planning.

Learn More About Our Day-to-Day Stewardship

For a glimpse into the day-to-day life and projects underway at Windward, visit the community’s blog activity blog What’s Up At Windward. 

Learn how you can contribute to the long-term stewardship of Herland Forest by Becoming a Forest Patron.