Few are altogether deaf to the preaching of pine trees.
Their sermons on the mountains go to our hearts;
and if people in general could be got into the woods, even for once,
to hear the trees speak for themselves,
all difficulties in the way of forest preservation would vanish.

-John Muir, naturalist, explorer, and writer (1838-1914)

John Muir co-founded the Sierra Club and is often referred to as the Father of the USA National Park Service.  He is America's most famous and influential naturalist and conservationist.  At Vermont Woods Studios, our mission is founded on sustainable forestry, so Muir's life and accomplishments serve as a poignant reminder of the important things that just one person can do.  Here's how Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard put it in an interview with Sierra Magazine:

•  If you think about all the gains our society has made, from independence to now, it wasn't government. It was activism. People think, 'Oh, Teddy Roosevelt established Yosemite National Park, what a great president.' BS. It was John Muir who invited Roosevelt out and then convinced him to ditch his security and go camping. It was Muir, an activist, a single person.

I really do believe that each of us can make a difference and help to change the world.  What do you think? 

Heading out for a walk in the woods now

The post A Nature Quote From Forest Conservationist John Muir appeared first on Vermont Woods Studios.

Read more about it in the commission's report.

Here are a few frightening facts we've put out before that were reiterated by the Commission:

• 17% of all carbon emissions released into the atmosphere are a result of destruction of the world's forests
• 50,000 square miles of forest, an area larger than the state of Pennsylvania disappear every year due to forest devastation.

Can you believe that?  How many Pennsylvanias do we have to spare?

As wood furniture makers, we feel responsibility in the area of forest stewardship.  We are contacting our representatives in congress to urge them to read, understand and take action on the findings of the Commission's report.  We hope you will too.

The post Forest Conservation is an Integral Part of Climate Change Policy appeared first on Vermont Woods Studios.