Since ancient times, people have found refuge in the forests, away from the commotion of everyday life. The forest has long served as a source of inspiration for poets and artists alike, and those verdant areas of land are now more valuable than ever. A staggering rate of deforestation worldwide brought on by logging and agriculture has accelerated climate change and resulted in the extinction of significant and irreplaceable species. Our woods provide us with food and the air we breathe, but tragically, it has taken significant losses for us to recognize their importance.

We asked eight nature and wildlife photographers, who are among the most passionate forest explorers, to share their most moving woods recollections. People have sought solace in forests since ancient times, away from the bustle of daily life. Poets and artists have long drawn inspiration from the forest, and those lush tracts of land are today more valued than before. Global logging and agriculture have caused an astounding rate of deforestation, which has hastened climate change and led to the extinction of important and unique species. Sadly, it has taken serious losses for us to realize how important our woods are, even if they give us food and the air we breathe.

We asked eight of the most ardent forest explorers—nature and animal photographers—to share their most poignant memories of the woods.There are many gorgeous waterfalls in the forests of Washington and Oregon. I brought a lengthy list of waterfalls I wanted to take pictures of and did a lot of study on them in 2006. I began in the stunning Olympic National Park and traveled south via Silver Falls State Park, the Columbia River Scenic Area, and numerous other locations, including Iron Falls and Proxy Falls.

I noticed something through the trees that caught my eye while I was traveling through the Oakridge forest. I discovered what I would later learn to be Salmon Creek Falls when I got out of the automobile. People generally enjoy waterfalls that are either really tall or have a tremendous water flow, but this one was just around five or six meters high and ran. Make the most of your study at home. It takes me, on average, one and a half to two weeks of research for every week that I photograph. These days, the internet is plenty of resources, including waterfall databases. Every time, I create a visual inventory of all the places I want to visit, and then I add a few more in case I have extra time.

Over the years, I have gained some insight into safety. For example, it can be risky to drive in reverse while in the backwoods. I once became stranded in a large, gaping hole that was nearly a meter deep, far away from civilization. These days, I never drive backward without first getting out to survey the terrain. Furthermore, tires can readily