A Hike Through the Mountains
As a frequent user of metaphors, I often compare my work at EPN to a hike through the mountains. It’s an environmental journey with a long trail ahead: our planet is in a climate and biodiversity crisis, and as temperatures continue to reach record highs, we face extreme weather, natural disasters, and loss of ecosystems. Yet this hike also requires frequent pauses to plan and assess. It’s at these moments we turn around and see how far we’ve climbed – and often, the views are breathtaking.
Global Policy and Local Reality
At Climate Week NY in September, I joined colleagues from around the globe at gatherings across the city, including a strategy session on advancing the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). Shortly afterward, Hurricane Helene hit Western North Carolina, causing devastation in my hometown and across the region. The reality of extreme weather literally came to my backyard. I realize that far too many people are encountering devastating natural disasters, and this personal experience underscored, for me, the urgency of protecting forests and advancing policies that reduce deforestation and emissions, safeguard biodiversity, and strengthen climate resilience.
Addressing Forest and Climate Impacts
In March I attended the Rachel Carson Council’s Wood Pellet Forum in Washington DC and connected with colleagues and communities advocating against the harmful production of wood pellets. Through our Biomass Action Network, EPN continues to raise awareness about the environmental and social impacts of biomass production. Biomass contributes to greenhouse gas emissions that exceed coal production, drives deforestation, biodiversity loss, and harms local communities. Paper production and overconsumption share similar detrimental impacts as they also affect our forests, people and climate; they often contribute to unsustainable logging, displacement of Indigenous peoples, and social injustices.
Building Global Collaboration
This summer, I had the privilege of representing EPN at two key international gatherings. In May, at the Peoples for Forests Gathering in France, I connected with forest defenders from multiple continents, sharing strategies, building solidarity, and learning from their experiences. In June, at EPN International’s retreat in Portugal, we strategized our global priorities, strengthened coordination across regions, and explored innovative approaches for protecting forests and communities while fostering collaboration among organizations campaigning on forest, climate, paper, and biomass issues worldwide.
Connecting with our Funders
When a family foundation decided to host their annual meeting in western North Carolina, I was honored for the invitation and opportunity to present EPN’s update and vision for strengthening the health of our planet. My husband and I also led a hike through one of our favorite forests. Spending time with stakeholders is something that I value and truly enjoy, and hiking through the woods is often the perfect setting for in-depth conversations about our forests.
Strengthening Our Network
These travels and gatherings reinforced the collaborative spirit that defines EPN’s work and gave me the opportunity to meet our members, partners, and funders in person – a vital part of building relationships as someone new to this movement. There is so much more to come as these connections continue to grow.
Sometimes accomplishments aren’t as immediately visible as a panoramic view, but they are just as important. To better serve our over 350 civil society member organizations, we have implemented our first comprehensive database, increased communications through weekly, monthly, and quarterly updates, and are building a new website. These tools strengthen our capacity, improve information sharing, and make it easier for members and partners to collaborate and take action.
Turning Vision into Impact
Over the past year, EPN and our members have influenced corporate sourcing policies, strengthened policy commitments, exposed harmful finance and subsidies, and leveraged research and advocacy tools to reduce deforestation, support Indigenous rights, and protect biodiversity. These efforts are building a stronger network that is increasingly turning vision into impact.
Join Us on the Trail
There are many more scenic views I hope to share in the coming years, but we also face steep trails ahead. We need your support as members, partners, funders, and colleagues to protect our forests, advance environmental and social justice practices, and build a more sustainable future. If you’re not already active within our network, reach out to us – there’s always a place for you on our trail.