A Tribute to Andy Mahler by Danna Smith & Scot Quaranda

Andy Mahler was the heart and soul of the forest protection movement. We are heartbroken at the loss of our dear friend. He had the biggest, sweetest smile and the most joyful laugh. Andy was always ready to remind you why you were special and to support you in your journey. He was a spirit of the natural world and an inspiration to so many people.

Danna felt lucky to know Andy when Dogwood Alliance was just beginning. When she realized that she was, in fact, destined to be a forest defender. In the early days of Dogwood, Heartwood was our fiscal sponsor. Andy was the Director back then. Danna remembers most fondly his kind and gentle ways. His inclusive approach to organizing. The barefoot walks together in the woods. His beautiful guitar playing. The way he sang with such purpose. Andy was an inspiration that shaped Dogwood’s work over the years. He also helped shape Danna.

Scot felt blessed to know Andy as well. As a young forest activist, Andy was a role model to him. He embodied the forest and connected with everyone at all ages. He found the humor and fun in every situation, and he inspired everyone around him. As they both grew older, Scot and Andy became more like peers. Andy was a constant reminder to lead from your heart. To always support people in their journey, no matter where they were along the way.

Heart was always at the center of  Andy’s activism. His approach was wildly successful. He played a leading role in shutting down logging in the Hoosier National Forest. It was his life’s work to help others protect forests. To build connections and share resources.

He reminded us that forests are sacred to the human spirit. That there is nothing greater than our connection to each other and to the natural world. When we sit together in a forest around a fire and celebrate, sing, dance and connect, we access magic. This gives us unlimited strength, courage, creativity and resiliency to protect forests. To restore humanity’s relationship to nature.

Andy became a wise Elder in the forest protection movement. He connected, inspired, and united so many forest defenders. In the midst of lawsuits, campaigns, and protests, Andy centered us in our connection to nature. In our connection to each other and our life purpose.

In the early days, Andy supported Dogwood’s courage to take on industrial logging. To defend forests in the world’s largest wood producing region, the US South. And to always do it with heart. Andy’s passing reminds us to dig deeper into our  heartspace as we continue our work to protect forests.

Andy taught us all to tap into the magic of the human heart. That when we appeal to the core of humanity’s morality, there’s no counter response. To oppose the destruction of life as we know it, we must always work from the heart. Only then can we access our own unique magic. Only then can we spread that to others. Love is more powerful than hate. Light is more powerful than darkness.

Dearest Andy, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Thank you for the precious gifts you gave the grassroots forest protectors. We imagine your spirit now flying freely among the wild places. One day we will all gather again in a circle singing and dancing under the stars. We love you.