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30TH ANNUAL
HEARTWOOD FOREST COUNCIL
Friday, May 27 - Monday, May 30, 2022
Camp Piomingo
1950 Otter Creek Park Rd
Brandenburg, KY 40108Greetings, forest friends,
We're excited to invite you to a wonderful, inspiring, and energizing Heartwood event. Join us Memorial Day weekend, May 27-30, as we gather at beautiful Camp Piomingo—45 minutes southwest of Louisville and 45 minutes west of Bernheim Forest—to celebrate the 30th Annual Heartwood Forest Council.
MEAL RESERVATIONS WERE DUE BY MIDNIGHT ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 11. Guests may still register online through 3:00 pm Eastern, on Friday, May 27, and after that, in person, at the event. All are welcomed. We are ordering extra food, but we can't guarantee we'll have enough for those registering after May 11.
We're excited to finally be able to reconvene in person to rekindle the spirit of Heartwood, with consideration for our continued safety. We ask that all in attendance be vaccinated and boosted to help protect themselves and others from Covid-19.
WHAT IS HEARTWOOD AND WHAT IS THE FOREST COUNCIL?
Heartwood, founded in 1991 by Andy Mahler and friends, is a network of community and regional forest activist/advocacy groups covering at least 18 states predominantly in the hardwood forest region of the eastern United States. Members share their experiences, knowledge, and expertise in organizing and defending forests, while promoting clean air, clean water, and indigenous and sustainable communities. For more info, visit www.heartwood.org/about.
Twice annually—the Forest Council on Memorial Day weekend and the Reunion during Indigenous People's weekend in October—Heartwood offers educational and powerful, rejuvenating gatherings.
[https://www.heartwood.org/heartbeat/index.html]We also create and publish a newspaper, Heartbeat, in the spring and fall. Visit www.heartwood.org/heartbeat/ for our Spring 2022 edition and pages 8-9 for our Forest Council announcement.
The 2022 Forest Council will be a weekend celebrating three decades of forest defense—and thinking ahead for the next three decades. We're planning a weekend of engaging speakers, panel discussions, outings, auctions, talent show, and multiple opportunities to connect with old and new friends. The weekend will also include vibrant live music and locally-sourced meals to feed the activist body and soul.
WHERE IS CAMP PIOMONGO?
YMCA Camp Piomingo is located at 1950 Otter Creek Park Road, near Brandenburg, Kentucky. The camp is located in Otter Creek Outdoor Recreation Area in a rustic forest setting along the banks of the Ohio River—and a rare stretch of river where no industrial facilities can be seen.
Visit https://www.ymcalouisville.org/programs/camps/camp-piomingo.
2022 HEARTWOOD FOREST COUNCIL SCHEDULE
ALL TIMES EASTERN
Times and events are subject to change.FRIDAY, MAY 27
3:00 - 6:00 pm Registration
6:00 - 7:00 pm Dinner
7:30 - 8:30 pm Opening keynote welcome and environmental history of the Ohio River valley from John Blair, president of Valley Watch
9:00 - 11:00 pm Music from singer-songwriter Jason Wilber, who recently released a new cd. Jason was also lead guitarist for John Prine for many years. Visit https://jasonwilber.com/.
SATURDAY, MAY 28
8:00 - 9:00 am Breakfast
Saturday morning will kick off the Heartwood Silent Auction fundraiser. Guests are encouraged to bring fun items to donate to the cause: handmade art, used outdoor clothing, outdoor gear, books, camping supplies, etc.
Guests are also encouraged to bring items for the Heartwood Live Auction (held Sunday at 7:30 pm): handmade art, regional artisans' beverages, outdoor gear, clothing, unique things, services such a weekend's stay at a regional B and B, etc.
9:30 - 11:30 am Opening circle/reunion opportunity to meet others and learn about area happenings
12:00 - 1:00 pm Lunch
Saturday afternoon will feature speakers and a panel discussion on the perils facing nearby Bernheim Forest—a proposed natural gas pipeline through the forest by Louisville Gas and Electric to a Jim Beam distillery.
1:10 - 1:40 pm Andrew Berry, Introduction to Bernheim Forest and Current Threat
Andrew is director of conservation at nearby Bernheim Forest and Arboretum1:40 - 2:10 pm Tom FitzGerald, Legal Aspects of Bernheim Situation
Tom is senior staff attorney for the Kentucky Resources Council2:10 - 2:40 pm Tierra Curry, Center for Biological Diversity's Role involving Endangered Species Act and Bernheim
Tierra is conservation biologist and senior scientist at the Center for Biological Diversity in Oregon.2:40 - 3:00 pm Break
3:00 - 3:45 pm Panel Discussion with Tierra Curry, Tom Fitzgerald, and Andrew Berry. Introduction of special guest Ken Bailey, president of the Kentucky Karst Conservancy, who will lead a talk and caving trip on Sunday
3:45 - 4:00 pm Break
4:00 - 5:30 pm Andy Mahler and friends
Renewed Assault on the Hoosier National Forest Triggers Groundswell of Public Engagement. See:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/209054591368266/ and
https://www.facebook.com/groups/296704458944200/The Hoosier National Forest, featured on the front page of the Spring 2022 issue of Heartbeat, is one prime example of increased commercial logging, burning, etc., amid a US Forest Service Management Plan long overdue for public comment and renewed vision. We are grateful that we are able to gather again, to further organize our collective response to this latest desecration of our forests.
6:00 - 7:00 pm Dinner
7:00 - 9:00 pm Screening of the Cade Bursell documentary film Shawnee Showdown, featuring several Heartwood members, followed by a panel discussion by Cade Bursell, John Wallace, Sam Stearns, and Corina Lang. See also this newspaper coverage.
9:00 - 11:30 Dancing with Louisville's fun, action-packed band Zu Zu Ya Ya. Visit https://www.zuzuyaya.com/.
SUNDAY, MAY 29
7:00 - 8:00 am Bird Walk led by Donald Winslow
Donald Winslow grew up in Indiana and went to school at Indiana University and Michigan State University. His dissertation addressed the effects of forest management practices on bird populations in southern Indiana. Donald has studied birds in the field in Michigan, Saskatchewan, Indiana, Wyoming, California, and Oklahoma. He met his wife Karen in Oklahoma. Donald and Karen now live in eastern Indiana with their two sons, Forest and Rowan.
8:00 - 9:00 am Breakfast
9:30 - 11:00 am Memorial hike to scenic overlook above the Ohio River. Remembrance and celebration of those friends whom we've lost over the years.
11:15 - 11:45 am Ken Bailey, Cave/Karst Features in the Area, Cave Outing Intro
Ken is president of the Kentucky Karst Conservancy12:00 - 1:00 pm Lunch
Sack lunches will also be available for those going on field tripsFIELD TRIP OPTIONS
BERNHEIM FOREST TROLL WALK
12:15 Departure to Bernheim Forest
5:30 Arrive back at camp
Guests drive the approximately 45-minute drive to beautiful Bernheim Forest and Arboretum. Entry fee is $10 per car. Local friend Randy DuFour will meet Heartwood guests there (exact Bernheim location to be determined). Randy will lead the walk to the famous art installation, the huge, majestic trolls, and explore, as time allows, other features, such as the Canopy Tree Walk. Other attractions include nature art sculptures, hiking trails, Isaac Cafe, an edible garden, and more. See https://bernheim.org/.INDEPENDENT BERNHEIM HIKING, EXPLORATION
12:15 Departure to Bernheim Forest
5:30 Arrive back at camp
Guests drive the approximately 45-minute drive to beautiful Bernheim Forest and Arboretum. Entry fee is $10 per car.Guests are free to hike one or more of Bernheim's beautiful trails, visit the trolls, and/or explore Bernheim's other features, such as the Canopy Tree Walk, nature art sculptures, Isaac Cafe, an edible garden, and more.
See https://bernheim.org/.CAVING
Departure time to be determined.
Led by Kentucky Karst President Ken Bailey and assisted by Corey Collins, guests will explore amazing limestone caves on private land nearby. Bring appropriate (old 😊) clothes, a helmet, and a flashlight. The event will be free.CAMP PIOMINGO AND OTTER CREEK OUTDOOR RECREATION AREA
Guests might prefer to stay onsite and relax at the camp or hike one of the beautiful trails nearby in adjacent Otter Creek Outdoor Recreation Area. Some of the trails lead to spectacular scenic overlooks of the Ohio River. Other activities could include a round of disc golf or exploring other area features.
For more info, visit https://fw.ky.gov/Pages/Otter-Creek-Outdoor-Recreation-Area.aspx.6:00 - 7:00 pm Dinner
7:30 - 9:00 pm Close of Silent Auction and Heartwood Live Auction fundraisers
Led by beloved auctioneer (and former Heartwood chair) Ernie Reed and his rare, elusive, "molluskuler" assistant.
Guests are encouraged to bring items for the Heartwood Silent and Live Auctions: handmade art, regional artisans' beverages, outdoor gear, clothing, unique things, services such a weekend's stay at a regional B and B, etc.
9:30 - 11:30 pm Heartwood Talent Show, led by MC Steve Krichbaum and Henry.
Songs, spoken word, comedy, reflections, camaraderie . . .
MONDAY, MAY 30
8:00 - 9:00 am Breakfast
9:30 - 11:30 am Closing Circle, Reflections, Goals
Departure by noon
HOW MUCH DOES THE EVENT COST, AND HOW ARE PROCEEDS USED?
After the camp fees are paid, any proceeds from the weekend help to produce and distribute the twice-annual edition of our newspaper Heartbeat. Funds also benefit Heartwood's member organizations through mini-grants and other financial support.
Full weekend:
$140 for camping in your tent or car
(+ $20 for a cabin bunk bed)
Bathroom/shower facilities are within walking distance.
Price includes all eight meals.Half weekend:
$90 for one night, includes two days.
One day:
$60, no overnight stay, three meals, all the day's events.
Dinner and post-dinner events:
$30
(Optional) membership renewal levels:
$30 $60 $90
Members receive an issue of our Heartbeat newspaper twice each year, in the spring and fall.(Optional) donation to scholarship fund, any amount
(Optional) direct action fund, any amount
WHAT VOLUNTEER/COST REDUCTION OPPORTUNITIES ARE AVAILABLE?
Please email Corina to learn about volunteer opportunities and scholarships to save on registration costs.
HOW CAN I REGISTER AND RESERVE MEALS?
The link for registration and fee schedule is https://www.heartwood.org/2022-forest-council/.
Please indicate if you have any special dietary needs
MEAL RESERVATIONS ARE DUE BY MIDNIGHT ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 11. Please register before then, if possible, so that we can let the dining hall know how much food to order. People may still register online through 3:00 pm Eastern, on Friday, May 27, and after that, in person, at the event. All are welcomed. We are ordering extra food, but we can't guarantee we'll have enough for those registering after May 11. These folks might want to bring sandwich fixings or other meal options for the weekend just in case.
LOCALLY SOURCED FOOD
We're excited that our meals will include fresh produce from Bree and Ben at their nearby organic Rootbound Farm in Oldham County, Kentucky. Visit https://www.rootboundfarm.com/.Meals will all be sit-down, family style, and all lunch and dinner meals will include a salad bar. Meals will also have additional vegetarian options, as well as meat options.
Special meals will be prepared for those indicating special dietary needs at registration.
WHAT SHOULD I BRING?
Bring your own bedding (whether you plan to camp or are renting a cabin bunk bed), water bottle, soap and towel, coffee mug, hiking gear, hiking shoes/boots, helmet (if going on caving outing), songs, spoken word, etc., for talent show, auction item(s), money to buy auction items.
Please share with friends and family!
If you have any questions, please email info@heartwood.org.
Thank you. We hope to see you Memorial Day weekend!
The 2022 Heartwood Council 🌳
David Nickell, chair
Corina Lang, vice-chair
Roberta Schonemann, secretary
Kris Lasher, treasurer
Matt Peters, Heartbeat editor
Christy Collins
Rock Emmert
Don Scheiber
John Wallace(Bios: https://www.heartwood.org/about/council/)
Facebook event link to share: https://fb.me/e/1Mto61AnD