This is a very good read, and I find the morale rather interesting and well communicated; I noticed that you use the word "forest" six times in the first five paragraphs, and quite a bit throughout. Since the word doesn't really serve to emphasise any point worth emphasising, wouldn't it be better to use some synonyms like "woods", "place", and so on?
The word "wasteland" also seems to get thrown about a lot near the end.
Anyway, apart from that minor issue with repetition, good article, good writing, and a good example of "things-that-happen" piece. Yay!