Press release from Conservation Trust for North Carolina:
On Thursday, June 23, 2016 the Conservation Trust for North Carolina (CTNC) will host a special screening of America’s First Forest: Carl Schenck and the Asheville Experiment, the first full-length, in-depth documentary film ever made about legendary forester and educator Carl Schenck. This new film explores Carl Schenck’s work at the Biltmore Estate and its impact on the conservation movement. This screening is being held as part of the 25th Anniversary celebration for the Conservation Trust for North Carolina, and all proceeds from the event will support the Conservation Trust’s efforts to protect land along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Tickets are $20 per person and may be purchased in advance at the theatre (36 Biltmore Avenue) or online at http://www.fineartstheatre.com/.
America’s First Forest is produced by the Forest History Society in cooperation with Bonesteel Films. The film tells the story of how Carl Schenck realized Frederick Law Olmsted’s vision of introducing forestry to America. It was on George Vanderbilt’s magnificent Biltmore Estate in Asheville that a 120,000-acre forest became America’s first scientifically managed forest. Here the nation’s first forestry school was founded, and the call for creating national forests in the eastern United States was inspired.
Although probably best known as the author of the classic memoir Cradle of Forestry in America, Schenck is also renowned for his work as an educator, forester, lumberman, and forest conservation advocate. Central to Schenck’s extraordinary career and impact was establishing the Biltmore Forest School—America’s first and arguably most influential school of forestry. With the Biltmore Forest School and his experiments on the ground, Schenck laid the foundation for the conservation movement in the twentieth century and still inspires people today.
For the past 25 years, the Conservation Trust for North Carolina has saved the places you love – streams, forests, farms, parks, and scenic vistas. CTNC protects these natural treasures so that all North Carolinians can enjoy safe drinking water, clean air, fresh local foods, and abundant recreational opportunities. CTNC has protected more than 32,000 acres in 60 locations along the Blue Ridge Parkway, and made $14 million in grants and $12 million in loans to 23 local land trusts across North Carolina, including Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy, Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy, Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina, Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust, Mainspring Conservation Trust, and Blue Ridge Conservancy.
To learn more about the Conservation Trust for North Carolina, visit www.ctnc.org, and to learn more about the Forest History Society and the America’s First Forest movie, visit www.americasfirstforest.org.
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