MEET A COMMUNITY SUPPORTED FORESTER (MEI) & THEIR FOSTER TREE (OSWALD)

Community Supported Forester: Mei

Tell us a little bit about yourself:

Currently I am a part-time student at GSU studying Biology and Anthropology. I also work as a forest ranger in Fernbank Forest at the Fernbank Museum. I also am an operations assistant for Ecologic. 

Can you share more about the work you do with EcoLogic? 

We do regenerative land management. We hand remove non-native invasive plant species and we replace them with native plants to support the local ecosystem, flora, and fauna wherever we work. Typically residential, privately owned land. We have a contract with Fernbank Forest. We have another one with an Avondale Estates neighborhood. 

For those who have never been to the Fernbank Forest can you share a little bit about it?

It is 75 acres in total. 65 acres is an old growth forest. I help manage the forest and the land. We remove invasives, help with educational programs, and just help make sure the forest is in good shape.( Maintain the trails etc.)

What is one thing you love about the work you do?

I love that it feels like I am actually making a difference. Climate change is a very pressing issue on my mind.  Working in these fields that are focused on conservation and native landscapes, it really makes me feel good and sleep well at night knowing I actively am doing things to try to mitigate the effects of climate change and the amount of invasive species in the SE. I am doing active work to kind of remove those issues that makes me feel very good about the future. 

Who was your foster tree? 

My foster tree is Oswald. He was a chick tree, so I am excited to see his growth in the next year! 

Joy to the Earth Tree Farm offers Mei a unique opportunity to celebrate their holiday in a way that aligns with what they care about. Thank you Mei for ALL you do & fostering Oswald and GA’s future forest .