Welcome our new intern, Sara Walker

Penn Forest is very pleased to welcome our summer intern, Sara Walker.  She’s in the Masters of Sustainability program at Chatham University. She will join us in a few weeks.

Sara has a BA from the University of Pittsburgh. Her work experience includes working as a conservation educator and doing field work at Yellowstone National Park. During her time with Penn Forest, Sara will be working along side our Assistant Manager, Laura on a variety of sustainability and ecology project. 

Please welcome her to the team. 

The People of Penn Forest: Meet Nancy Chubb

Your Name: Nancy Chubb
Your Pronouns: She
Your Role with Penn Forest Cemetery: Officially I am President of Land Conservation Cemeteries, an LLC that owns Penn Forest Natural Burial Park and, along with Pete McQuillin, a majority owner of the business. Unofficially that means I weigh in on all major decisions and many of the everyday ones.

Describe a typical day for you at Penn Forest. 

My time is spent in planning meetings, cemetery and barn chores, administrative tasks. I’ve been involved with almost every aspect of Penn Forest, including finding the land, creating the business plan, building the farm, and now plans for the Remembrance Garden. In inclement weather I have opened our home to gathering mourners. 

How did you get connected with Penn Forest Cemetery?

It was in a conversation with Pete about our own wishes for a green burial that the idea of creating a green cemetery here in Pittsburgh was first conceived in 2008. We both wanted to be buried in an environmentally-friendly way and there was no option for that locally. So we decided to build one here, having no idea what we were getting into. Fortunately we have had wonderful help every step of the way and made lifelong friendships.

What are some of your responsibilities and duties?

I feel a responsibility for all the things that happen here, even if I’m not directly involved. My main duty is to keep an eye on everything. We moved out to the cemetery a few years ago so that we could do that 24/7. Caring for the cemetery is woven completely into our lives.

Describe one thing about Penn Forest that the average person might not know or find surprising.

Penn Forest is more about life than death. For life to flourish, death must happen. You know, “the cycle of life”. We offer people a chance to personally participate in it through their death but while they are alive, they can enjoy the farm animals, wildlife, and nature. Lot owners are welcome to hang out in the barn, have a picnic in the meadow, get a discount on Yoga with Goats classes. We have lots of ideas about how to continue developing Penn Forest so it is an inviting and educational conservation park.

 Why is green burial important to you?

Green burial is the most efficient way to return my body to nature so that it can support future life. I find it comforting that after my death my organic matter remains organic, just in different forms.

Tell us about your connection to Pittsburgh. Are you a native of this region? A transplant?

I grew up in the DC suburbs but my father grew up on Beaver Grade Road in Robinson. I spent my summers on my grandparents’ 300 acre dairy farm, called Hidden Brook Farm. Those were formative years for me and I found joy being in the woods and with the animals. When I was looking for a college, Chatham College was just far enough from home and a horticultural treasure. Pittsburgh, the city, grew on me over the years and I became a big fan. As an adult I found out my grandfather, Charles Chubb, was an early President of the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy. I think he would approve of the work we are doing to restore the eco-system at Penn Forest.

Do you have a favorite tree at Penn Forest, either a specific type of tree or an actual tree that resonates with you?

This land was a farm until the 1950s and so it was cleared for fields. There are a few big old trees scattered around. They’re my favorites. I wish I could be around in 100 years to see how the trees we are planting now mature. With our focus on increasing the diversity of the trees, it will be even more beautiful.

How can people connect with you?
Nancy@PennForestCemetery.com

Thank you, Nancy. 


This is one in an occasional series profiling the people involved with Penn Forest Cemetery and our multiple projects. 

You can find Penn Forest:

Facebook: facebook.com/pennforest

Twitter: @PennForest and @JinglesPF

Instagram: @PennForestCemetery 

Quarterly Newsletter: Subscribe


 

The People of Penn Forest: Meet Laura Faessel

 

Laura Faessel Penn Forest

Laura

Your Name:  Laura Faessel
Your Pronouns:  She
Your Role with Penn Forest Cemetery:  Assistant Manager

Describe a typical day for you at Penn Forest. 

I don’t think that any days are typical here, which I love!  It is really great to have a variety of indoor and outdoor work that changes everyday.    

How did you get connected with Penn Forest Cemetery?

I went back to school in 2012 for Environmental Studies at Slippery Rock University.  During my last semester, I did a research project comparing different burial methods.  One of those methods was green burial, which I found to be very interesting.  I learned of Penn Forest while doing this project.  After I graduated I was actually looking for a job in food sustainability (I also have a Culinary Arts degree and love food) and wasn’t having much luck.  One day, about a year after I graduated, Penn Forest just popped into my head and I sent Pete my resumé.  He called me up and had me come visit and he’s been stuck with me ever since 🙂  

What are some of your responsibilities and duties?

I am learning how to do everything here.  So, it can be anything from pruning fruit trees, gardening, weeding, removing excess dirt off graves, installing grave markers, preparing for and having burials, giving tours, sales, office work, etc.

Describe one thing about Penn Forest that the average person might not know or find surprising.

One thing that I love about Penn Forest that the average person may not know are the different projects going on here.  There’s a couple of different types of gardens, the farm animals, composting from the barn waste, aquaponics, beehives, willow and berry patches, yoga with goats, and hiking trails!

Why is green burial important to you?

Green burial is important to me because I believe that we have a responsibility to use the earth in a manner that allows it to sustain future generations in a wholesome way.  That means that we should not be filling it with anything harmful.  With green burial there are no toxic embalming fluids, no concrete burial vaults, no metals going into the ground, no harmful pesticides in the grassy areas.  Green burial allows bodies to return to the earth naturally contributing to healthy soil and waterways.

Tell us about your connection to Pittsburgh. Are you a native of this
region? A transplant?

I was born in Pittsburgh and have lived in this area ever since.  I have had the privilege of experiencing both the city and country life.  In the city I’ve lived in Brookline, South Side, the Hill District, Etna, and Sharpsburg.  In the country I’ve lived in Southern Butler County and in the Deer Lakes area.  I love both and feel fortunate to have been able to experience what it is like to live in the different settings.  

Do you have a favorite tree at Penn Forest, either a specific type of
tree or an actual tree that resonates with you?

My favorite tree at Penn Forest is the Tulip Poplar.  The leaves look like tulips!  I had never seen them before and I am completely enamored with them! 

How can people connect with you?

 laura (at) pennforestcemetery.com

Thank you, Laura


This is one in an occasional series profiling the people involved with Penn Forest Cemetery and our multiple projects. 

You can find Penn Forest:

Facebook: facebook.com/pennforest

Twitter: @PennForest and @JinglesPF

Instagram: @PennForestCemetery 

Quarterly Newsletter: Subscribe