Introducing High Warden Isabel de Tarragona

Greetings fellow foresters!  

Since I just stepped up to be the High Warden of the Forests of Atlantia at War of the Wings XVIII, I thought you may want to know a bit about me and what I hope to bring to the Guild during my two year term.  

About Me:

Mundanely, I am a former Ecosystem Ecologist, specializing in field research of aquatic microbial habitats in polar lakes and streams, with a bonus degree in Art History.  These days I am a data analyst who tries to get outside as much as my chronic disability will allow. I have lived in many different habitats and have traveled to all 50 states.  Despite attending the Northern California Renaissance Pleasure Faire regularly while growing up, I first heard about the SCA through online gaming friends and first attended an unofficial event in a friend’s backyard in the East Kingdom, Fall 2012.  However, I did not live near an active area until I moved to the Barony of Stierbach, which fortunately gave me a solid start via the Canton of Sudentorre archery community.  

In my ten years in the SCA, I have maintained interests in diverse arts and sciences as well as service.  My current areas of interest include Medieval Spanish land use, planting native trees, and the ethical foraging of invasive plants.  I can often be found teaching about these or apothecary related topics. My service has mostly focused on communication through positions of Baronial and Guild Chronicler, External Communications Lead for the University of Atlantia, and currently as the technical director of The Oak and KMoAS Deputy of Science with a keen interest in fostering communication within and between interest groups and guilds.  I would be happy to answer questions or help you seek answers around any of these topics.  

I officially applied to the KARFG in the Fall of 2018, taking my oath at the following Twelfth Night.  I achieved the rank of Forester in the Fall of 2019 and stepped up as High Chronicler in January 2021.  During my two year term, I collaborated to: launch our Hurst & Horn newsletter, migrate and build out our website, and launch the inaugural Forester’s Challenge during Quarantine. I have also remained an admin for the Guild’s facebook page.

My priorities for this term:

As High Warden, I plan to encourage accessible participation and nurture the growth of more Forests in the Baronies of Atlantia.  Having active local groups creates opportunities for comradery and knowledge sharing and helps boost our presence.  In addition, Keepers of local Forests (generally at the baronial level), can provide oathing opportunities and sign off on skill demos.

In addition to Forest creation, I also want to increase activity in our Oathed member social media groups to encourage growth into leadership positions.  Currently, these areas are mostly used for discussion of and voting on changing by-laws.  

My third priority this term is to encourage more Foresters to join Guild Houses.  We currently have one Woodward, Finnebreth, and a second Forester, Elias, who has passed his Ranger trial.  We recently revised the applications for Rangers and Regarders in collaboration with other Forestry Guilds, and the Woodward application is in progress. We also have multiple members working on Masterworks for their Master Forester rank and I would like to see them recognized as well.  

As we grow as a guild, we continue to increase in expenses.  Guild badges, informational material, the horn of state, and gifts to their Majesties so far have been donated by individual members.  I am currently working to understand fundraising options for us and hope to launch some fun initiatives on that front soon.  

Where to find me:

In the near future, you can find me at the following events and I will endeavor to publish a planned Progress roughly 3-4 times a year.  

If there’s an event you’d like me or another Officer to attend, or if you have an idea for Guild presence or activities, please reach out on the Guild’s Facebook, Discord, or email address!  

In service to the forests of Atlantia, 

Isabel