Reading the Forest

What are the hidden stories of the forests?

Join us to explore Shelby Bottoms' natural history and interpret past stories through its forests. Grant England from Friends of Shelby will guide a hike to reveal the land's historical clues.

The natural world provides historians insights into past human and environmental activities. By examining tree ages, animal species, and land layout—"forest forensics"—we can uncover land usage, abandonment, and changes over time.

This experience aims to teach historians and cultural workers new methods that can hopefully help us enrich records and archives with a deeper understanding of human impact on landscapes over time.

Meet in the Forrest Green Trailhead parking lot — where we will start and end — between