To achieve its vision, the organization strives to create a network of forests across the U.S.—with one in each county—that are not logged and are open to visitors.
[2] The organization's goal is to ensure that some forests are set aside and protected, allowing them to recover their old-growth characteristics.
The Old-Growth Forest Network was founded by Joan Maloof, Salisbury University, Maryland, now Executive Director of the organization.
[4][5] Maloof began as a scientist studying the natural workings of the planet—the systems that enable the trees and flowers and animals to subsist on their own with no help from humans.
She also became aware that the oldest forests—some of the most natural and biologically diverse places on earth—were being logged and converted into managed forests—monoculture tree farms.
In 2011 she left her university position and started working full-time to establish the Old-Growth Forest Network.
Many of these counties already contain public forests so only a single one would need to be chosen and officially recognized as part of the network.
The next level of landowners to be considered for voluntarily joining the network are likely to be nonprofit organizations such as land trusts or The Nature Conservancy.
The organization advises private landowners about their forests and helps them realize their preservation goals.