We recently brought in a new partner that I am so excited to share with you. The Cradle of Forestry is found in Pisgah National Forest in western North Carolina, and if you’ve never heard of it, please keep reading. This blog post is intended to educate you about the science of forestry as well as its storied beginnings in the western part of our state over one hundred years ago. When you’re done reading here, take a trip over to Pisgah for the Cradle’s Opening Day Celebration on April 5th for the 2025 Season. There’s no better way to explore our state’s forests and learn about the history of forestry at the same time. Happy Hiking!
You have probably heard of North Carolina being the “first in flight” and know the story of the Wright Brothers launching their first plane at Kitty Hawk. But, did you know that North Carolina is also the “first in forestry?”
What is Forestry?
Forestry is the study and practice of managing our wooded lands. It is based on science and part of the field of conservation – the practice of caring for natural resources.
Who Practices Forestry?
Foresters are trained to oversee the woods, making sure that the forest produces the resources we need daily. They also make sure we will be able to enjoy these same benefits in the future. A forester looks at all the things a forest provides—timber, recreation, water, wildlife, and beauty—to make decisions. Their goal is to provide many benefits for many people. A college degree from an accredited college or university is required to become a forester.
When & How Did Forestry Begin in America?
As a profession, forestry was first introduced from Europe to Western North Carolina in the late 1800’s. George Vanderbilt, a wealthy landowner, who owned the Biltmore Estate, near Asheville, NC, hired the very first trained American forester, Gifford Pinchot in 1892. Pinchot wrote and implemented the first scientific forest management plan but left the estate after just three years. Pinchot would go on to become the first chief of the US Forest Service, and later governor of Pennsylvania.
Dr. Carl A. Schenck, a German forester, was hired to replace Pinchot and on September 1, 1898 opened the very first forestry school in America. Schenck’s Biltmore Forest School, located on a site now known as the “Cradle of Forestry in America,” trained the nation’s first foresters. These men were successful in introducing the concept throughout America and helped end the harmful practices, like deforestation and forest fires, that were hurting our forests at the time. When Schenck closed the doors of his school in October 1913, he could boast of the fact that he had trained 70% of all foresters then in America.
The Cradle of Forestry, located in Pisgah National Forest, continues to serve as a vital educational resource, connecting visitors to the history and importance of sustainable forest management.
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Robert Beanblossom, a member of the Society of American Foresters, retired after a 42-year career with the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources and moved to Western North Carolina as the volunteer caretaker for the U.S. Forest Service at the Cradle of Forestry in America.
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The Cradle of Forestry is managed by Go Find Outdoors