The Forest Trailblazer: Why Harriet Tubman Deserves Recognition from the Society of American Foresters
Harriet Tubman
A Conservationists of Color
In the quiet shadows of the Eastern Shore's forests, where trees stand tall and moonlight filters gently through their branches, Harriet Tubman moved with a purpose known to few. The forests of Maryland were her pathways, the dense thickets her allies, and the towering pines her silent witnesses. Time and again, Tubman led the enslaved to freedom, becoming a guide not only through perilous situations but also through landscapes she learned to navigate as effortlessly as any modern forester reads a woodland map. Harriet Tubman's relationship with the natural world was born out of necessity, honed by survival, and guided by deep-rooted knowledge. Tubman demonstrated an extraordinary mastery of the forests in an era when the land offered both danger and refuge. This mastery deserves recognition from the Society of American Foresters (SAF), acknowledging Harriet Tubman as the first black female forester. Acknowledging her work with and within the land is as essential as recognizing any contributions to forestry history.
Forest Navigation: A Life-Saving Skill
During her missions, Tubman's understanding of forest ecosystems was a matter of life and death. She led her followers through miles of rugged terrain under the cover of night, relying on her knowledge of the stars, rivers, and trees. She recognized plants that could heal wounds or cure sickness and knew the paths to shield them from detection. Every decision she made stemmed from her intuitive grasp of her environment, a knowledge built from years of close observation and adaptation. Today, foresters understand the importance of navigation and landscape awareness in forest management and conservation. Tubman embodied these principles, using them not to exploit the land but to safeguard lives. She recognized the land's capacity for sanctuary and harnessed that power to create routes that allowed hundreds of men, women, and children to escape to freedom.
Sustainable Interaction with the Land
Tubman's approach to the land was inherently sustainable. She moved through the forest without leaving damage, exemplifying what foresters now refer to as "Leave No Trace" ethics. Her use of forest resources was deliberate and respectful. Although her forest conservation training was not formalized, it was evident in her careful, unobtrusive methods. Her reverence for the land resonates with the core principles of forestry: to use resources without depleting them and to coexist with nature rather than dominate it. By honoring Tubman, SAF would acknowledge a form of forest ethics that has long been underrepresented in conservation narratives—the principles of land guardianship practiced by African Americans, who are often overlooked in conservation history. Tubman's sustainable relationship with the environment reflects a deep respect for nature, echoing the values of sustainable forestry today.
A Legacy of Resilience and Stewardship
Harriet Tubman was a leader and a steward of those who depended on her and the land that offered protection. Her relationship with the forest exemplified resilience. In times of extreme danger, the forest was her only ally. Her story of strength, courage, and knowledge in the face of adversity serves as an inspiration for anyone involved in conservation today. By recognizing Tubman, SAF would take a meaningful step toward inclusivity, honoring the contributions of an African American woman who practiced what we now refer to as ecological knowledge and sustainable land use. Her life is a powerful reminder that the history of America's forests includes stories of resistance, survival, and interconnection with the land.
Honoring Harriet Tubman: A Symbol of Resilience in Forestry
Tubman knew the forests were not merely the backdrop of her story but integral to her journey, tools, strategy, and safety net. Harriet Tubman deserves to be honored by the Society of American Foresters, not only for her mastery of the natural world but also for demonstrating how the land can serve as a means of liberation. By doing so, SAF would elevate an essential piece of forest history, expanding the narrative of American forestry to include the courageous and skilled hands that guided countless others through the trees toward freedom. At its core, Harriet Tubman's story reflects humanity's profound connection with the land—a connection that forestry recognizes, respects, and seeks to preserve. Recognizing Tubman would remind us that forests hold the memories of those who used them for liberation and that their legacy, much like the forests themselves, deserves protection and respect.
Melody Mobley, a conservation legend and the USDA Forest Service's first black female forester, inspired, approves of and supports my campaign for the Society of American Foresters to acknowledge Harriet Tubman as the first black female forester. Melody Mobley serves on the board of the Virginia Native Plant Society with Aaron Kershaw, the author of “The Forest Trailblazer: Why Harriet Tubman Deserves Recognition from the Society of American Foresters.”
