Work in the Working Forest Oral History Project
Great Mountain Forest’s Work in the Working Forest Oral History Project explores the fascinating history of the working forest through the lens of five GMF forestry staff–past and present–who have substantially added to the growth and evolution of GMF. We hope these oral histories will educate the public about the work of forestry professionals to protect the natural resources and the cultural heritage, history and evolution of GMF as an organization and working forest.
Each oral history is unique, and the working forest provides the lens through which we explore the work of five individuals: Jody Bronson, Russell Russ, Matthew Gallagher, Wayne Jenkins, and Lukas Hyder. While these GMF staff members have a story of their own, the common threads that run through their oral histories are a love of GMF, a camaraderie built upon hard work and trust, a deep desire to pay forward their knowledge and skills, gratitude for the work of the working forest, and a love of collaboration and a bit of solitude.
We hope you enjoy listening to the podcasts and full oral history interviews of Jody, Russell, Matt, Wayne, and Lukas and viewing the oral history videos of GMF’s current foresters, Jody, Russell, and Matt.
Joel E. “Jody” Bronson
Jody is Forester Emeritus at Great Mountain Forest. Starting as an intern in 1976, Jody has worked at GMF for 47 years, 30 of which were as the Forest Manager. In that role, Jody oversaw the management of GMF and the growth of the substantive and coveted summer college intern program for budding foresters and wildlife managers. Jody continues a rich family tradition in forestry and land management in Connecticut.
Russell Russ
Russell is the Property Manager at Great Mountain Forest. He began as an intern in the mid-‘80s and returned to GMF in 2001. Russell is also a National Weather Service weather observer, carrying on a daily tradition that began over 90 years ago. He views his work in the forest as a continuation of the legacy of those who worked at GMF before him, including his father, Forest Manager Darrell Russ.
Matthew Gallagher
Matt is the Director of Programs and Operations at Great Mountain Forest. Matt has worked at GMF for three years. He oversees the GMF college intern program. Before GMF, Matt was a Navy Seabee and was employed in the trades before returning to college and graduate school at Yale School of the Environment to pursue a degree in forestry. He has used his relationship with nature and forests to cultivate mental health and resiliency. In his role, he is keen to share GMF’s work and wisdom with the public.
Wayne W. Jenkins
Wayne was hired as a Gardener by Great Mountain Forest owner Ted Childs in 1965. He retired from that position in October 2005 after 41 years of employment. While at GMF, he was integral to producing several products from the working forest, including Christmas trees and maple syrup. His knowledge of how to turn sap into syrup is extensive. He is also a talented artist inspired by the natural world and displays his art in Norfolk and beyond.
Lukas Hyder
Lukas was part of the GMF Summer Crew in 1992 and 1993. Subsequently, he was hired as a full-time forester and worked in that role until 2000. He has been the executive director at White Memorial Foundation in Litchfield, Connecticut, for the past four years, starting as forest manager in 2000. Lukas has taken the lessons learned from his colleagues at GMF and carried them forward into his career. He is also a talented woodworker in his personal life.
Dr. Mary B. O’Neill conceptualized and coordinated the oral history project with GMF foresters and staff, conducted the oral history interviews, and created the audio podcasts. Based on the interviews, Caleb J. May filmed and produced the oral history videos.
The complete oral history interview recordings, podcasts, videos, and transcripts are available through the CTDA digital archive at the University of Connecticut.
Mary B. O’Neill, Ph.D., is an educator, writer, podcaster, and oral historian. She has served as GMF’s director of communications, is a regular attendee at GMF programs, and enjoys hiking its trails. She has long been fascinated with the work of GMF foresters and the stories of the forest’s past. Mary is grateful for the opportunity to bring these oral histories to light through this grant-funded project.
Caleb J. May is a three-time intern at GMF, fulfilling roles as a forestry intern, wildlife monitor, environmental policy researcher, newsletter editor, social media producer, and now a videographer for these oral histories. He works at Across the Fence, the University of Vermont Extension’s daily television show. Caleb attended UVM and graduated with a bachelor’s in wildlife biology with a minor in reporting and documentary storytelling. He is an experienced birder and is grateful for any opportunity to spend more time in GMF and learn from its foresters.
Great Mountain Forest is grateful to the Housatonic Heritage Oral History Center at Berkshire Community College and Housatonic Heritage for generous funding and technical support in completing this project. Intern funding for the oral history videos was generously provided by a grant from The Dr. Alice B. White Fund, administered by the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation.
GMF is also thankful to the Main Street Moxie podcast, Salisbury School, and the University of Vermont’s Across the Fence for loaning the equipment to record and film these oral histories.
