The organization began quite informally over almost two decades ago when its founder, Ferdinand Vondruska, travelled throughout British Columbia (BC), Canada to view a number of past and present logging sites. He was curious to learn, from as many sources as possible, what was really going on in the province's forests. When colonizers and settlers first came to the Pacific Northwest region of this continent, forestlands seemed endless. Yet, in the brief 100 years since then, not only have the vast, old growth forests dwindled alarmingly, the forest land base itself has shrunk. Population growth and land development have effectively pushed back the forest.

Of the number of logging sites simply left for Nature to regenerate, some will gradually produce new seedlings. But the entire eco-system of a given area is so completely changed by clear-cutting (in terms of wildlife habitat, waterways, wind- and sun exposure, and rainwater erosion), that it can take up to 40 or more years for these seedlings to establish themselves as a "regenerated" forest. Other sites never regenerate at all.

More aware of this than in bygone decades, BC's Ministry of Forests has increasingly directed more of its silvicultural efforts into effective reforestation. Extensive programs of seed- and seedling production as well as tree planting have been rolled out in the past couple of decades. Yet the results are far from achieving complete, balanced restoration.

At a remarkable gathering in the Vondruska home one evening in 1988, 20 people representing all aspects of the forestry industry listened intently to one another as they recalled their childhood impressions of the forest. A timber merchant in his early thirties, then negotiating huge contracts in New Guinea, remembered the birdsong and insect-hum of woodland walks his grandfather in China used to take him on. A union leader fondly recalled the fragrant scent and the burbling streams he used to fish with his older brothers. A First Nations elder spoke of the deep quiet of snow-laden winter woods. As memory joined memory, a new bond was forged among those present and gradually, in the atmosphere of shared trust thus established, voices began to carry a discernible note of reverence for The Forest. An extended silence followed the last speaker. It was both humbling and profoundly inspiring to realize how deeply humanity is connected to the forest.

Roots and Early Growth

For this reason, C-Dar World Forest Foundation was incorporated under the Society Act of the Province of British Columbia on February 10, 1989 with Ferdinand Vondruska serving as president of

A generous financial advance, made it possible to establish an office in Vancouver and to begin building a small forest research center on a 20-acre riverside property in Paradise Valley, BC. Progress was slow, but a seed had been sown in fertile ground. It continued to be watered by the interest of family, friends, and acquaintances far and wide, despite early setbacks. Following a fire, which reduced the fledgling centre to ashes, the Society entered a period of dormancy.

Until 2003, Robert Gallagher's dedicated efforts kept the tree nursery in top shape. Thomas Link, a forest technician from Germany, who specializes in Bio-Dymanic forest and landscape regeneration, has kept in close contact with the society. Thomas' anual visits, during which he gave workshops (on formative forces, the planetary cycles affecting tree seeding and tree growth), greatly supported the work of the society.

The first open-bed seeding trials were made in 1996, in an area of the forest, which had been cleared of dead branches and stones.

In 2003, C-Dar World Forest Foundation was dissolved and re-established as C-Dar World Forest Team. This was caused by enormous costs

It is worth pointing out that a whole-hearted commitment to BD principles underlies all Team endeavours --- from the purchase of feed hay for the livestock and the preparation of compost, to the siting and development of nursery beds. All water is drawn from the well or the rainwater reservoir and is channeled, when needed through a Virbella Flowform to further vitalize it. In addition, the Team believes it is vital never to lose sight of the spiritual dimension of Steiner's teachings. Too often, BD practices are reduced to mere methodology --- still useful and effective, no doubt, but definitely NOT as "dynamic", since refusal to acknowledge the existence of the elemental-, planetary- and zodiac beings hardly qualifies one as a true co-participant in the great renewal work so badly needed today.