Join HRI on Saturday, November 4 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for a hike in the historic Cradle of Forestry in Pisgah National Forest.
This important and historic site was home to the first modern school of forestry in the United States, and includes seven historical buildings from the time of the Biltmore Forest School (1898-1914) and a 1914 Climax logging train engine. The USDA Forest Service started chemically protecting over 1,000 hemlocks at the Cradle over a decade ago.
Our hike will wind along the paved trails through the Cradle where we can observe many of these beautiful hemlocks among the old cabins and displays. HRI staff will discuss the hemlock conservation work that’s been done in the area, along with the importance of hemlocks in the ecosystem and the threat they face from the hemlock woolly adelgid.
All of the hemlocks you will see were just re-treated by HRI along with the help of volunteers, Job Corps students, and FIND Outdoors staff. Come see for yourself how the trees are faring!
The hike will total about 3 miles, and the paved trails make this hike very accessible for folks of all levels of ability. We will meet at 10 a.m. at the Cradle of Forestry Discovery Center, and will be together until around 2 p.m. The trail network makes it easy for participants to leave early if needed. More details about the meeting place and what to bring will be emailed to the attendees before the event.
Please RSVP by October 30th, 2023
Special Note: In case of inclement weather, the back-up hike date is Saturday, November 11, 2023.
Email outreach@savehemlocksnc.org or call 828-252-4783 to reserve your spot or with questions.
The Hemlock Restoration Initiative is grateful to be able to offer public events in this difficult time. Despite the lifting of restrictions, we acknowledge the risk that COVID-19 continues to pose to members of our community. To maintain the safety of our event participants and staff, we are requiring that all participants follow HRI’s COVID-19 safety guidelines. Anyone not following the guidelines on the day of the event will be asked to leave. Despite taking precautions, we cannot eliminate all risk of exposure and participants will be accepting some level of risk by choosing to attend. Please review the COVID-19 safety guidelines on our website to ensure that you are comfortable following these guidelines. Note: these guidelines may adjust depending on changing guidance from health authorities.
