TM: Cradle of Forestry (Students)

Transcript: Note: Many of our schools are able to see video and chat but cannot send either. Participants who are unable to send questions and responses during Town Meetings send individual questions to Teachers Connect team members. If you have trouble connecting during a videoconference, let us know and your class can still be part of the conference! Orlando, Florida: Yes we are receiving your video from Brevard Elementary - great to have you join us today! Orlando, Florida: The Cradle of Forestry has two cameras... Please make sure you are showing Cradle of Forestry AND Transylvania County because there will be important pictures on both Orlando, Florida: The Cradle of Forestry is a National Historic Site that commemorates the beginning of scientific forestry in America, the site of the first forestry school in America, and the first purchased National Forest in the United States. Orlando, Florida: Our guest today is Art Rowe who is the Chief Ranger for the Pisgah District of the Pisgah National Forest in western North Carolina. Orlando, Florida: We welcome Art Rowe as our guest! Do you have opening comments Art? Cradle of Forestry: Glad to have you visit with us at the Cradle Orlando, Florida: Please share with us some information about the Cradle of Forestry.	Orlando, Florida
Iredell-Statesville Schools Troutman Middle	Iredell County: What year was the Cradle started and who started it ? Cradle of Forestry: In 1898 the first forestry school was started by Dr. Carl Schenck Cradle of Forestry: if you have visited the web site you can see a picture of that schoolhouse It was originally constructed in 1891 and reconstructed in 1965. The building was first used as an elementary school and church Iredell County: How many people worked at the Cradle then and how many now? Cradle of Forestry: Most people who lived here worked for George Vanderbilt of the Biltmore Estate so there were lots of workers in the beginning And now there are about 20 with some volunteers.
Orlando Florida: Do you have estimates of the amount of lumber that George Vanderbilt used in the construction of his estate... local vs imported? Cradle of Forestry: We don't know...but he did not cut lumber. Shirley Corcoran: How old would you say is the oldest tree in the forest today? Cradle of Forestry: Probably between 200 and 300 years. Most trees on the actual Cradle site are less than 80 years old Orlando Florida: I have never been to the Cradle but hope to visit sometime soon. Cradle of Forestry: We'll be looking for you!	Brevard Elementary Camping Exhibit Cradle of Forestry
	Shirley Corcoran: What do you do today to maintain the forest? Shirley Corcoran: And where is the timber sent? Cradle of Forestry: The timber would go to local sawmills. From the sawmills it could go into the furniture industry or to a pulp mill to make paper for lower grade lumber Orlando Florida: What are some other things that are affecting the forest? Cradle of Forestry: Heavy recreational use and just the use of the forests. Cradle of Forestry: All of the forest has all been cut over at some point Orlando Florida: What are the major types of trees in the forest? Cradle of Forestry: The major types of trees are hardwood like Oak, Hickory and Yellow Poplar. Cradle of Forestry: Can any of you list the different ways our forest are used? or products from the forest? Orlando Florida: Well if you are looking for things the lumber is used for... how about my roll top desk and my hard wood floors?
Mt. Pleasant Elem. -- Mr. Rowe, we saw that you have worked in different areas of the country what is different about the Pisgah National Forest than the other forest in the other parts of the United States? Cradle of Forestry: There are more people pressures here on the Pisgah. David Kafitz: Is there still evidence of the logging camps from the early 1900's in the Pisgah area? If so what? Cradle of Forestry: We have a lot of people coming to recreate in the forest Cradle of Forestry: We can still see the old railroad grades and some of the sites of the big logging yards. Cradle of Forestry: Many of these railroad grades are used as hiking trails today. David Kafitz: Are there any artifacts left in the old logging yards? Was the Pisgah Forest area ever over logged? Cradle of Forestry: In 1912, George Vanderbilt sold the logging rights to all of this forest to Carr lumber company. Cradle of Forestry: This was before it became a National Forest.
Cradle of Forestry Schoolhouse	David Kafitz: Maybe someone has asked already, but where did the name "Cradle of Forestry" come from? What is its origin? Cradle of Forestry: The Name "Cradle" represents the birthplace of forestry - thus the name Cradle. Mt. Pleasant Elem: What types of things did they teach in the forestry school when it was started? Cradle of Forestry: Classes lasted for one year and there were 12 different courses. Students could join the school at any time as long as it was a t the beginning of one of the required courses. Classes included tree identification, logging methods, silviculture, and surveying. David Kafitz: What is silviculture? Cradle of Forestry: Silviculture is the science of growing trees. Shirley Corcoran: What did they do after they completed all of the classes? Cradle of Forestry: If they completed the 12 months of classes and then did 6 months of a practical project, they would get a degree in forestry. Cradle of Forestry: Some went to work for state agencies, some to the US Forest Service, and some into private industry.
Orlando Florida: Did the forest have American Chestnuts before the blight? Cradle of Forestry: Yes, there were lots of Chestnuts trees Cradle of Forestry: They were at one time the most prominent tree in the forest David Kafitz: Is there any effort to regenerate the chestnut trees? Orlando Florida: What has taken the place of these trees? Cradle of Forestry: Other species of trees grew in their (Chesnut) place
Ranger Art Rowe "hiding in the trees" in the Exhibit Hall at the Cradle of Forestry.	David Kafitz: Were there any students who became someone significant in forestry management for the US Government? Cradle of Forestry: One was a forest supervisor right here in North Carolina-- now he's in a tree with a cute little raccoon Cradle of Forestry: Are there any more questions?
Mt. Pleasant Elem: What types of animals live in the Pisgah forest? Cradle of Forestry: Bears, deer, turkeys, raccoons, Cradle of Forestry: Foxes, bobcats, skunks, possums, squirrels Cradle of Forestry: WE have a good bear population here. Orlando Florida: What types of fish are in your fish hatchery? How many do you produce in a year? Cradle of Forestry: Rainbow, brook and brown trout. Cradle of Forestry: The hatchery is operated by the state.	Smokey the Bear has a Birthday Party each year at the Cradle of Forestry!
Exhibit Area Cradle of Forestry Graveyard Fields Falls Pisgah National Forest, NC	Brenda McCombs: Have there been any fires in recent years? Cradle of Forestry: Just this weekend, we had a 300 acre fire started by a careless camper Mt. Pleasant Elem: Have there ever been any bad fires in the forest? Cradle of Forestry: Yes, in the early 1900's, there were two major fires near the Blue Ridge Parkway. David Kafitz: Didn't one of those fires create "Graveyard Fields"? Why did they call it this? Cradle of Forestry: Yes, one of the fires did create the fields. Cradle of Forestry: The tree blew over and the root wads sticking in air looked like tombstones. Cradle of Forestry: There are many uses on the National Forests today. Cradle of Forestry: Many times, these conflict with other uses. Cradle of Forestry: It becomes a challenge to the Forest Service to balance these uses and protect the resources.
David Kafitz: What are some of the future plans the Cradle of Forestry has for teaching people about forestry and forest resources? Cradle of Forestry: We are working with Brevard College and our interpretive association to develop an educational program for high school science teachers. Orlando Florida: Our hour with Art Rowe is about to come to an end. Any last questions? Orlando Florida: Any last comments Art? Cradle of Forestry: If you have not had a chance to visit the Cradle of Forestry, please make plans to come see us sometime. Our new Education Center has exhibits, classrooms, an auditorium and full access to the forest just outside. Cradle of Forestry: This has been fun for us, (a little hectic trying to run two cameras and keeping things going). Cradle of Forestry: Hopefully, folks have learned something more about the Cradle. Orlando Florida: Also Art, please share with us about how schools can visit the Cradle. Cradle of Forestry: For schools to make a reservation, call (828) 877-3130 and ask for Shannon or Cindy. Orlando Florida: Thanks for the great Town Meeting - I thank Carrie, Art, and all the wonderful folks at the Cradle that have made this session possible! David Kafitz: Thanks Mr. Rowe! Have enjoyed the chat! Shirley Corcoran: Thank You All! Cradle of Forestry: Goodbye - thanks for visiting us. Transylvania County: Thanks to all of you who came today -- hope many of you will come to Transylvania and The Cradle of Forestry to discover the wonders of the forest!	Carl A. Schenck Education Center The Cradle of Forestry Pisgah National Forest, NC
	Orlando Florida: David please share about the upcoming Town Meeting... David Kafitz: The next Town Meeting will be on December 9 from the Museum of the Cherokee Indian Barbara Duncan and Bo Taylor will be our guests. They are going to share their knowledge of the Cherokee Indians with us - should be great fun!