Author: Kimberly
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Around the World in Trees with Casey Clapp
Join a global tree tour at Hoyt Arboretum with arborist Casey Clapp and discover rare, ancient, and surprising trees from six continents. Read more
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The Emerald Reckoning: Oregon’s Ash Trees Are Under Siege
A silent crisis is unfolding in Oregon’s forests. A tiny green beetle—barely half an inch long—is poised to change the landscape forever – impacting the Oregon ecological system for hundreds of years. The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), an invasive insect native to Asia, has arrived in Oregon and is attacking our native Oregon Ash (Fraxinus Read more
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Solstice Magic in the Mossy Green: Forest Bathing on Steam Donkey Trail
On the longest day of the year, I found myself exactly where I needed to be—on the Steam Donkey Trail in the lush embrace of the Tillamook State Forest, just inland from the Oregon Coast. The summer solstice has always felt like a sacred pause, a hinge between what was and what will be—and this Read more
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A Soulful Forest Bathing Journey at Hagg Lake
Lately, I’ve been diving deeper into the practice of forest bathing—reading more about how to do it mindfully and exploring what each type of sensory activity can offer. With each walk, I find myself layering in more intention, letting my curiosity and presence guide me. On my most recent visit to Hagg Lake, I gave Read more
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Western Red Cedar: A Keystone Species of the Pacific Northwest
BOTANICAL PROFILE: WESTERN RED CEDAR (Thuja plicata) Classification Family: Cupressaceae (Cypress family) Genus: Thuja Species: plicata Common Names: Western Red Cedar, Giant Arborvitae, Pacific Red Cedar, Shinglewood Theophrastus, a student of Aristotle’s, gave the name Thujato a tree with fragrant, resinous wood. Plicata refers to the folded nature of the tree’s scale-like leaves. – Oregon Encyclopedia Habitat and Read more
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A Walk Through Orchard Park: Trees, Trails, and a Sitka Surprise
Orchard Park is a 20-acre gem tucked into Hillsboro, Oregon. While it’s known to many as a disc golf course, I was there for the trees—and to meander peacefully through the woods while trying to avoid getting beaned in the head with a frisbee. At first glance, it might seem like your typical neighborhood park, Read more
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Among Friends: A Day on Cooper Mountain
Today the sun returned—warm and steady, like an old friend we hadn’t seen in a while. Spring in Oregon can be shy, retreating behind clouds for weeks at a time, so when the light breaks through, it feels like a blessing. We answered its call by heading to Cooper Mountain Nature Park. I had walked Read more
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Nature Deficit Disorder: Healing in the Woods
There’s a quiet joy in hearing the rustle of leaves, feeling the sun on your face, or noticing a bird’s call echo through the trees. These moments, small and sacred, are more than just pleasant—they’re essential. For myself, I NEED to have those small (and big!) moments in nature throughout the week. When I stop Read more
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Nature as Therapist: The Science Behind Shinrin-Yoku
There’s something deeply reassuring about walking among trees. The hush of the forest, the dappling of light through leaves, the earthy scent of soil—these moments feel like balm for the soul. But beyond the poetry, science now echoes what many have known intuitively for generations: nature heals. Welcome to the world of Shinrin-Yoku, or “forest Read more