Hartford is a capital city blessed with amazing trees and old forests, some harkening back to Frederick Law Olmsted, landscape architect and Hartford’s native son. Olmsted’s 200th birthday in 2022 was a national celebration of his visionary dedication to nature, beauty, democracy, and health in all communities. Today, what’s missing in Hartford and across Connecticut is a long-term commitment to protecting some of these forests as “Wildlands” – natural areas that can welcome people but limit human management.