Finding My Niche
September 28, 2026 | Written by Allie English
Hi, friends. Allie here.
I’d like to warmly welcome you to The Hemlock Tales, a solo passion project of mine. As someone inspired by storytelling and the natural world, today marks my intentional start of merging the two realms.
Nestled in the Appalachian Mountains, this multimedia publication will share conservation stories that highlight the people, animals, and plants that make our region so special and unique. The tales will blend ecology, documentary storytelling, and environmental journalism to educate, fascinate, and—ultimately—inspire.
My vision is to get people excited about nature, particularly the ecology of Appalachia. As someone born and raised in the Southeast, I’ve come to learn that our exceptional biodiversity is often taken from granted or overlooked by much of the world. While other regions may be prized for high-rising peaks or charismatic megafauna, we reside on a gem of an ecosystem. The flora and fauna that exist here are so full of life and complex relationships, and I’d like to share their tales of resilience and reciprocity. By better understanding the nature of Appalachia, we can come together with a shared passion to protect and conserve our natural world. Knowledge is power, and that is what The Hemlock Tales aspires to make known.
Now, why did I choose The Hemlock Tales as the name? The namesake refers to the Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis), my favorite tree to ever exist. Eastern Hemlocks are evergreen trees native to the Appalachian Range. Their ancient livelihoods symbolize nature's ability to persist in an ever-changing world. Their rigid—yet sweeping—conical form represents the balance of Mother Nature: harsh one moment, gentle the next.
The tree’s charm extends far beyond its beauty; ecologically, the Eastern Hemlock is a keystone species of Appalachia. This means that it serves as a pillar of its ecosystem, supporting countless other species. Thriving in cove forests, the tree’s far-reaching branches often extend over streams or creeks. Its evergreen needles provide year-round deep shade for these waterways, which regulate water temperature for the aquatic critters below. The woody plant is a vital source of food, shelter, and nesting habitat for 120+ species. This exceptional livelihood makes the Eastern Hemlock a symbol of Appalachia. That’s why this tree represents my bank of stories to come. It’s also a hot topic in the conservation world due to the nasty threat of the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (Adelges tsugae or HWA), an invasive insect that drains the the tree of its nutrients. I’ll have more information to come on that story soon.
Please Note: The namesake of The Hemlock Tales does not refer to Poison Hemlock (Conium maculatum). This plant is a highly poisonous flowering plant related to carrots, and it is not at all related to the Eastern Hemlock!
To explore more of why I’m starting this project, I’d like to dive into the past. My love for photography started in third grade when I got my first DSLR camera as a gift. Those early photos were laughable at worst, maybe sweet at best, but they instilled a lifelong love of the medium that has only grown. Fast forward to college, and I couldn’t decide which area to focus my studies: photography or environmental science—my two loves. In the end, I pursued both with the hope to blend my two passions. Throughout college, I delved deeper into my craft, exploring all forms of multimedia storytelling, journalistic style, and ecological systems.
During a multimedia class that I will never forget, I had an epiphany. I worked on a story about the American Red Wolf, the world’s most endangered canid. This multimedia piece featured my first-ever video story, and I was hooked immediately. During the production process, I had a deep, innate feeling of this is what I’m meant to do.
Conservation + Documentary Storytelling = Allie’s Good Soup
Post-college, I’ve found that my weird gaggle of interests is a limited dilemma. There aren’t too many profitable opportunities out there to tell ecological, science-based stories that both educate and inspire, so this is essentially me creating my own niche. I think this side-hustle passion project has been a long-time coming, and it’s a way to satisfy my creative itch while telling the stories near and dear to my heart.
Nature is for everyone, and I believe storytelling is a great way to invite folks into the wonder of the world around us. I hope you’ll join me on this tale of triumph and tragedy. From here, we’ll explore the land where the Mourning Dove coos and the American Chestnut once ruled in the canopy.
Thank you for joining me on this adventure, and if you have conservation stories you’d like me to explore, please reach out! I’d love to hear what topics compel you.
Much love and gratitude,
Allie
Disclaimer: I did not use AI to write this blog; this is my genuine writing voice. As you’ll learn soon enough, I have always had an affinity for em dashes and the Oxford comma, so please don’t come at me for using those. I used these writing tools first, anyways ;)
