Resistance Radio interview of Andy Mahler

Andy Mahler first became involved in forest protection efforts in 1985 after encountering Forest Service clearcuts in the Hoosier National Forest near his southern Indiana home. As President of Protect Our Woods, a local grassroots forest protection organization he helped found, he led efforts to protect the Hoosier from off-road vehicle trails, clearcuts, and oil and gas leasing. In 1991 he founded Heartwood, a cooperative regional forest protection network that used legal challenges and other means to stop logging on the national forests in the heartland hardwood region. In his community in Orange County, Indiana, Andy led efforts to start the Lost River Market and Deli, a member owned, natural foods grocery in Paoli, Indiana, and Orange County HomeGrown which operates a very popular local farmers market. Andy hosts weekly music jams at both locations. He and his wife, Linda Lee own a rustic and eclectic farm and lodge called the Lazy Black Bear surrounded by the Hoosier National Forest in the rolling hills of southern Indiana where they raise, rehabilitate and release orphaned possums and other critters.