Description
SILENT AUCTION Wednesday – Sunday: https://www.32auctions.com/GAFW
The ForestWatch Fall Retreat is on! Mark your calendar! October 9, 10, 11
Today ForestWatch is navigating big changes – the changing climate, changing environmental protection laws, changing forest recreation use, and of course, the big change of learning how to stay connected during a pandemic! But change has never stopped us before. And it won’t stop us now. We’ve lined up some of our favorite special guests and past presenters to interact directly with us — it’s like having them right in your living room with you! Here’s the line up:
Friday October 9 and Sunday October 11 – Guided hikes to featured Georgia Mountain Treasures locations with ForestWatch leaders. (Covid-19 policies in effect and one hike registration per person)
Saturday October 10 – ZOOM sessions- Live, online, interactive activities to inform, motivate, and inspire you***
- Our partners at the Southern Environmental Law Center will update us on the challenges of changing environmental laws and regulations.
- Executive Director Jess Riddle will update us on the boots-on-the-ground work of our District Leaders.
- Board President Anne Heikkila and Past President Marie Dunkle will update us on our year of advocacy work. Then Anne will steer us through the quickest annual Member Meeting ever!
- Zoom Lunch – Our leadership will be available in chat rooms, so we hope you’ll have your lunch with us and connect with ForestWatch friends, both old and new.
- The Firefly Story Hour, guided by Janisse Ray, author of Ecology of a Cracker Childhood – Janisse will lead our members in a virtual storytelling session around a virtual campfire. If you would like to tell a 3-4 minute story around the theme of CHANGE, we would love to hear it.
- Joan Maloof, author and Executive Director of Old-Growth Forest Network will lead members in an interactive workshop around Forest Appreciation.
- Peter MacIntosh, long time member, volunteer, and accomplished nature photographer will present Changes in Nature Photography: Drones Over the Forest.
- Patricia Howell, long time member, volunteer and herbalist extraordinaire,will share medicinal plant stories and a “Safe Foraging” challenge.
- Zoom Happy Hour – Time for the ForestWatch family to relax and reconnect.

Cost: $35 per person or $50/couple; $20 student. Registration includes the Zoom link for all-day access to Saturday’s programs and sign-up links for hikes and The Firefly Story Hour, all of which will be filled on a first come, first served basis with sponsors getting a 3 day lead.
Detailed Schedule
9:45 AM Waiting Room opens
10:00 AM Orientation – Sue Harmon
10:10 AM Welcome – Jess Riddle
10:15 AM SELC Presentation – Patrick Hunter
11:00 AM break / Yoga – Angela Butler-Hackett
11:15 AM Forest Update – Jess Riddle
11:50 AM Advocacy Update – Marie Dunkle + Anne Heikkila
12:00 AM Member Meeting – Anne Heikkila
12:15 PM Zoom Lunch Break
1:00 PM Janisse Ray – Firefly Story Hour
2:00 PM Joan Maloof – Forest Appreciation Activity
2:30 PM Break / Forest Crossword Challenge
2:45 PM Patricia Howell – Stories from the Forest
3:15 PM Peter McIntosh – Drone Photography in the Forest
3:45 PM Wrap Up – Anne Heikkila
3:50 PM Zoom Happy Hour