Herland Forest is different from most other cemeteries. While, yes, it is a place where the dead are laid to rest, it’s also a place where all the natural cycles of life play out. It’s a place where a person … Continue reading →
There are many reasons why the Windward crew decided to dedicate part of our land to become a natural burial cemetery. It took more than a decade to gain the legal permissions, to make the improvements that the county required, … Continue reading →
We’ve been stewarding the Herland Forest for more than thirty years, and it seems like no two winters are the same. We’ve had winters where the snow drifts were more than four feet deep, and other winters without any snow … Continue reading →
The following is from Debora’s obituary. Debora (Basira) Goldstein died of pancreatic cancer on September 20, 2019. She was born September 3, 1950 in Chicago, the eldest of three children of Marie (Martz) and Albert Goldstein. The family moved to … Continue reading →
We just got back from DeathCon, the annual gathering of cemeteries, crematoriums and funeral directors working in Oregon and Washington. It was a fascinating opportunity to connect with other people doing this work, and to learn about current trends. An … Continue reading →
When someone decides that they want to become a Guardian of the Herland Forest, usually the next step is for them to spend time on the land and find a spot that feels right for them. Some prefer the burial … Continue reading →
Last month, we had a most enjoyable visit from Will Smith, a writer for Enviro Gorge (now Columbia Insight), an online magazine focused on the Columbia River Gorge area. That visit led to Herland getting a mention in this month’s … Continue reading →
It is with both sadness and hope that we write report that the burial of Herland’s first Guardian, Marilynn Burke of Portland Oregon, took place on March 25th. Marilynn was a special individual. As an avid birder, she was enthusiastic … Continue reading →
“I am I plus my surroundings and if I do not preserve the latter, I do not preserve myself.” ~ Jose Ortega Y Gasset
Continue reading →“We abuse the land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect.” ~ Aldo Leopold
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