Upon receiving our assignments for this month's issue I proceeded to obtain the correct clearances from Hogwarts to make a trip to the Forbidden Forest. I haven't had the pleasure of entering in many years - the last time being a lesson in Care of Magical Creatures back in the late 90s while still a student of Hogwarts myself. Time flies folks. I must admit, magical creatures are one of my favorite topics of research - but generally speaking I haven't studied much about the Dark Forest specifically.
Being a Muggle-born mixed-blood I can attest that it's nearly impossible to get used to being in the presence of such enchanting and powerful creatures. Having dived into this assignment head-on, I am saddened to have to report what is to follow. I hoped this to be a wonderful rave article, but alas it has turned out to be quite the rant.
The past decade has been one of turmoil for the forest. The Calamity wreaked havoc on the ecosystem throughout the 2010s and we started seeing the effects again recently back in 2020. I expected to see some peculiarities in the wildlife - it's been said that the removal and subsequent reintroduction of several magical creatures from any given area always takes its toll.
What I wasn't expecting was the sheer amount of trash in the forest. Yes, you read that right...there is a littering problem in the Forbidden Forest. To say I am outraged would be an understatement, I assure you. The Forbidden Forest is known to be the most extensive magical creature preserve on the planet - with regular private maintenance funded by Hogwarts coupled with additional funding and manpower provided by the Ministry due to the sheer number of XXXXX classified creatures that make their home within its' borders.
I was absolutely appalled to come across a Herbology lesson taking place on the eastern edge of the forest with what looked like the remnants of a barn-fire party not 10 meters away. Naturally, I left quite the complaint with the Visitor Relations Elf at Hogwarts. I am disheartened that there is not a preservation plan in place with a simple Scouring Charm combined with perhaps a monthly maintenance Cleaning Charm to avoid such disrespect to the forest and creatures within.
While I expect nothing more from my Muggle counterparts, I would think the wizarding world's constant need to reverse the effects of Global Warming would have taught us better. We know the effect of humans on the natural world and I think we need to do better. While it's true we can fix our errors with magic, what would happen if one day we could not?
I have not officially yet heard back in regards to my complaint to Hogwarts, I plan to do a follow-up article when I do. Please remember to properly throw out your trash, and if you can't do that - please be mindful to cast a Cleaning Charm whenever you are through with your activities.
Until next time, when I hopefully have something to rave about - Brandi