Celebrating Women in Forestry

Introduction

Forestry, historically a male-dominated field, has been profoundly shaped by women who have broken barriers, championed conservation, and fostered inclusive environmental stewardship. In Forest Park, St. Louis’s 1,300-acre urban gem, women play vital roles in Forest Park Forever’s initiatives, such as the East Waterways Project, which restored eastern lakes and added over 3,400 native plants in early 2025. Globally, women like the WWII Lumberjills, modern foresters, and advocates like Wangari Maathai have transformed the sector. Forest Park’s #3 ranking among U.S. city parks and the Variety Wonderland Playground’s #4 ranking among public playgrounds in the 2025 USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, announced April 16, 2025, highlight its community and environmental significance.

At healthcare10.website, our mission is to empower individuals with evidence-based health and wellness content, covering nutrition, fitness, mental health, and lifestyle. We recognize that women in forestry promote physical activity, mental well-being, and social connection through sustainable practices and inclusive spaces, aligning with our holistic health goals. This article celebrates women’s contributions to forestry in Forest Park and globally, supports our pursuit of Mediavine membership through the Grow by Mediavine platform, and encourages engagement with our wellness-focused content. Written on May 14, 2025, at 5:03 a.m. CDT (5:03 p.m. PKT), it draws on recent web and social media insights to honor women’s legacy in forestry.

Women in Forestry: Historical and Modern Contributions

Historical Trailblazers

Women have long influenced forestry, often overcoming significant barriers:

• Lumberjills of WWII: During World War II, the Women’s Timber Corps, known as Lumberjills, filled critical roles in Britain’s forestry sector due to male labor shortages. They felled trees, operated sawmills, and drove tractors, maintaining timber supplies. A 2025 commemorative plaque marked the 80th anniversary of VE Day, honoring their legacy. Their work challenged gender norms, proving women’s capability in physically demanding roles.
• Mira Lloyd Dock (1853–1945): In Pennsylvania, botanist and environmentalist Mira Lloyd Dock, appointed to the State Forest Reservation Commission in 1901, advocated for reforestation, leading to the acquisition of lands now part of the state’s 2.2 million-acre forest system. Her pre-suffrage advocacy laid the groundwork for modern conservation.
• Wangari Maathai (1940–2011): The first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004, Maathai founded the Green Belt Movement, planting 51 million trees and empowering women in Kenya through forestry training. Her model of community-driven reforestation has global impact.

These pioneers defied societal constraints, setting the stage for gender inclusivity in forestry.

Modern Leaders

Today, women hold diverse roles in forestry, from field ecologists to executives, as highlighted by recent initiatives:

• Forest Park Forever: While specific names of women involved in Forest Park Forever’s 2025 planting of 3,400 plants for the East Waterways Project are not detailed, the organization’s horticulture and ecology teams include women who manage native plantings and wildlife habitats. Amy Witt, an ecologist, monitors species like warblers and wildflowers, contributing to biodiversity. Women volunteers also played key roles in spring 2025 planting events, stabilizing shorelines and supporting pollinators.
• Global Examples:
  • MacKenzie Russell (Mersey Forest, UK): As GIS Coordinator, Russell uses geospatial data to map forestry impacts, noting the sector’s inclusivity with 50% women on her team. She values forestry’s alignment with her environmental ethics.
  • Ashley Selee (Colorado State Forest Service): A forester in La Veta, Selee transitioned from biology to forestry, inspired by women in STEM and the Japanese concept of komorebi (sunlight through leaves). She encourages young foresters to network at conferences.
  • Ashlyn Moody (J.D. Irving, Canada): As Maintenance Superintendent at Grand Lake Timber, Moody leads maintenance and reliability programs, breaking barriers in a male-dominated field through JDI’s leadership program.
  • Meg Clery (Forestry Corporation, Australia): A field ecologist in Eden, Clery highlights the female-dominated ecology teams in forestry, driven by a passion for studying animals.

Recent data underscores progress: women comprise 15–20% of forestry professionals in the U.S. and 17% in Canada, with growing representation in leadership. For example, 13 female state foresters lead U.S. agencies, including Ellen Shultzabarger (Pennsylvania), appointed in 2018.

Women in Forest Park: Driving Wellness and Sustainability

East Waterways Project

The East Waterways Project, completed in spring 2025, exemplifies women’s contributions to Forest Park’s sustainability. This $10.5 million initiative restored Round Lake, Bowl Lake, Jefferson Lake, and a new Taylor Kindle River channel, adding an ADA-accessible boardwalk and cascade waterfall. Women in Forest Park Forever’s ecology and horticulture teams, alongside volunteers, were instrumental in:

• Planting 3,400 Native Plants: In early 2025, a single morning saw over 3,400 plants, such as buckwheat and meadow grasses, added to stabilize shorelines and support pollinators. Women likely led or participated significantly, given the organization’s inclusive workforce.
• Biodiversity Management: Ecologists like Amy Witt monitor migratory birds and native flora, ensuring the project’s ecological success. Their work supports 219 animal species and 750 vascular plant species, enhancing the park’s role in the Mississippi Flyway.

The project’s focus on stormwater management, biodiversity, and accessibility promotes environmental wellness, aligning with healthcare10.website’s eco-conscious content.

Community Engagement

Women volunteers and staff facilitate Forest Park’s “Generations of Love,” a theme celebrated by Forest Park Forever in November 2024. Spring 2025 events, such as storytimes at the Anne O’C. Albrecht Nature Playscape and planting days, saw women leading community engagement, fostering social bonds. These efforts resonate with our mission to combat isolation through community-driven wellness.

Variety Wonderland Playground

The Variety Wonderland Playground, ranked #4 nationally in 2025, reflects Forest Park’s inclusivity, with women likely contributing to its 2021 renovation as designers or advocates. Its wheelchair-accessible features and sensory play wall promote physical and emotional health for children of all abilities, aligning with our advocacy for accessible wellness spaces.

Wellness and Community Impact

Health Benefits

Women in forestry contribute to wellness through:

• Physical Activity: Planting events and trail maintenance, as seen in the East Waterways Project, promote fitness. The Variety Wonderland Playground encourages active play, improving children’s coordination and cardiovascular health, as detailed in our fitness guides.
• Mental Health: Engaging with nature, from monitoring wildflowers to leading community events, reduces stress and boosts mood, supported by our mental health resources.
• Social Connection: Women’s leadership in volunteer programs and inclusive spaces fosters community, combating isolation.
• Environmental Wellness: Sustainable practices, like native plantings and stormwater management, promote eco-conscious living, a key theme in our content.

Gender Inclusivity and Empowerment

Initiatives like the Women’s Forest Congress (2022) and KONSEPSI’s Women Forest Defender program (2025) highlight women’s empowerment in forestry. The Congress, attended by nearly 500 women and nonbinary professionals, developed strategies for inclusive forest management, while KONSEPSI’s program in Indonesia promotes gender-equitable restructuring. These efforts inspire women to pursue forestry careers, enhancing diversity and innovation.

Celebrating Women Through Media and Recognition

Local Media Coverage

KMOV, St. Louis’s CBS affiliate, has covered Forest Park’s initiatives, including the East Waterways Project (December 4, 2024). While not explicitly naming women, their reports on community planting events likely featured female ecologists and volunteers. Tuning in to Great Day St. Louis (4:00 a.m.–7:00 a.m. CDT) or checking firstalert4.com may reveal stories celebrating women’s contributions to Forest Park’s sustainability.

Global Recognition

Social media posts on X highlight women’s impact:

• Melody Starya Mobley, the first Black female forester, was celebrated for her trailblazing career.
• Portland Parks & Rec’s Urban Forestry welcomed four women arborist trainees in 2025, diversifying a male-dominated field.
• The Tropical Forest Issues 63 journal, co-edited by Todora Rogelja, focused on women as forest stewards, amplifying their voices.