Wilderness stewards from across the country will gather this November 1-4 in Asheville, North Carolina, to share strategies and learn new techniques for volunteer stewardship.
Among the tracks being offered: Engagement of youth and of returning vets; workshops on the science of stewardship, such as monitoring for wilderness character; best practices for successful partnerships with lands agencies; and fundraising and organizational capacity building.
“We’ll also have live music,” commented Bill Hodge, Director of the Southern Appalachian Wilderness Stewards and chair of the committee that is planning the conference. “This is bluegrass country, and there’s no better place to hear bluegrass music.”
For those who come early, there will be a three day backcountry trip into the Shining Rock Wilderness of the Pisgah National Forest, an area designated in the landmark 1964 Wilderness Act. Shining Rock is the largest wilderness area in the state, marked by mountain balds, hardwood forests, and the Pigeon River.
“I’ve heard from lots of our western stewards that they want a chance to see some eastern wilderness while they’re here,” explains Hodge. “So we’re setting aside October 28-31 for a hike, camp and trail stewardship outing for those who want to come early.”
Hodge says attendees may find the landscapes near Asheville familiar, even if they’ve never visited before. “This area of the state has been used as a backdrop for a number of popular movies, including Last of the Mohicans, Cold Mountain, and, most recently, the Hunger Games,” Hodge noted.
Plans for the conference are still underway. Online registration should be available by early summer.
SAVE THE DATE:
Oct 28-31 Backcountry/stewardship experience, Shining Rock Wilderness
Nov. 1 - 4 Wilderness Stewardship Conference, Montreat Center, Asheville, NC