Club VP Selected to Serve as SAF Student Congress APSAF Chair

This article was recently posted on the college homepage:

Haywood Community College Forestry student Bill Sweeney was recently elected as the national Society of American Foresters Student Congress Chair. Student from any college represented in the Appalachian Society of American Foresters were eligible to apply for this position including those from two and four-year schools. As Student Congress Chair, Sweeney will lead other student delegates from across the nation representing their respective forestry programs at the 2009 Annual SAF Conference to be held in Orlando, Florida in September.

Sweeney will graduate from HCC next spring. He is vice president of the school’s Forestry Club and has a 4.0 grade point average. He was a marshal at this year’s graduation ceremony. On the HCC Woodsmen’s Team, he competes in the bolt split, axe throw, dendrology, and pulp toss events. This past year, he came in second place in the dendrology and axe throw events. As the Student Congress Chair, Sweeney will serve as liaison between the Appalachian SAF and colleges. He plans to create a network of forestry club presidents in hopes to get students more interested. Most of HCC Forestry students are already very active in the SAF.

“This position is a great networking tool,” Sweeney says. “It is a great way to obtain knowledge on jobs, a career, and for mentorship.” Sweeney says he will participate once a month in phone conferences and consistently through email with the SAF and Student Congress.

Sweeney is a native of Asheville and graduated from Asheville High School in 1992. He spent two years in the Army as a mechanic and two years in the active Reserves. He was worked in retail automotive managing various commercial automotive stores. In addition to attending HCC full-time, he also works full-time at O’Reilly Auto Parts. Sweeney says pursuing a career in forestry is something he’s always wanted to do. “Growing up, I took regular trips hiking, camping, and picnicking in the Pisgah National Forest.” He believes that the role of a forester is to be right in the middle of preservation and conservation.

After graduation, Sweeney plans to pursue a Bachelor’s degree at either Virginia Tech or the University of Idaho. “HCC is really hands-on,” he explains. “HCC definitely gives you the experience of doing the work, doing the job you will be doing when you finish school. They have a great staff that is interested in helping you succeed. Every teacher has gone out of the way to help. There’s no excuse not to do well.”

Lyrical Learners....

Jim Hamilton uses a poetry assignment in his online Introduction to Forest Resources Class to allow students with different learning styles to master the material. Here is an example of a real gem from the course.

An Ode to Invasive Bamboo
An original poem with original photos by Chris Fay
With apologies to Drs. Jim Hamilton (who ordered its' writing), and Seuss (whose pentameter I stole)

Bamboo: what are you? You're certainly not from here.

By houses and streams, and in woods it seems, you won't even feed the deer.

Where you take foot, you'll soon be a stand, through which you can hardly see.

You're all around town, on a silent march you come, creeping ever closer to me.

"Please have me here, I'm kind of cute, and a lot of green I'll bring!"

But in my yard? "No way!! No how!!" (I like native and friendlier things.)

I till and toil, and sweeten the soil to mother an herbal garden,

And then you move in, and spread all around, without even begging your pardon.

So I cut you back, or mow you down, 'cuz you're death to lesser plants,

And when I come back to plant something new, you've sprouted up just like a lance.

I sound kind of harsh, like you have no part, but that is far from true,

You're food, you're wood, can be shelter in fact, I just wish our cars ran on you.

In science they say, that you're Poaceae, and others call you Bambusoideae

I'm not good with Latin, so finding a rhyme is why I gotta avoid ya.

You're solidly jointed and hollow between, with long and opposite branches,

with parallel veins on long alternate leaves, lanceolate, resembling stanches.

In green gold or black, you have quite a knack, to run out via rhizomes,

sans flowers or seeds, amazingly spread, new roots quickly find nearby homes.

You're native in Asia, but do real well here, throughout the entire Southeast,

Up to 40 feet tall, amazing for grass, the same as 12 meters at least.

And that's just up, there's no limit out, in one year you spread 20 feet.

The scale above shows you're 4 inches wide, and no other plants can compete.

It's said you are grass, but in a thick mass, you'll haul down a cannon ball.

You don't cut like grass, you'll soon dull a knife, how do we tame you at all?

The epitome of sustainable, renewable without replanting, I can always count on you,

'cuz no fire, no pests or no rain at all, come Spring, fresh stands sprout anew.

They say you're invasive, in biology, a threat to everything green,

but I say invasive to our culture instead, because of everywhere you're seen.

I see you in stores, I wear you around, you're even in my Chow Mein,

Mr. Bamboo, there's no avoiding you, much to my disdain.

Now River Cane is not the same, 'round here since at least the Ice Age,

Cherokee used for arrows and spears, darts or a river fish cage.

They fashioned their tools from Mr. Bamboo, for at least 10,000 years,

for darts and blowguns, arrows and traps and they wielded you like a spear.

And without Sugar Cane also neither the same, a world less sweeter would be,

Ice cream? No point! Cereal… Yeah, right! Whatever would chocolate be?

You're not without your product claims, many things are made of thee,

we dream it up, of bamboo it is made, you're versatile beyond many trees.

Fishing rods, bike frames, rugs, and torch lights… why not add a Tiki bar?

Plus roofing thatch, counter tops, fencing and toys, there's even a bamboo car.

Flooring planks, chopping blocks, baskets and mats, you're kinda exotic rustic,

for furniture, chairs, tables and art, I'm fully housed with just a mouse click.

In forests you're food, but just to a few, and even then, look what it takes;

crushing teeth get in , sip on your sap and drunk Mountain gorillas it makes.

You're a Panda's delight, they'll eat nothing else, and then laze within your high grasses.

I would like that, but see what it takes? 900 pounds to gain access.

In karate dojos, you silently pose, strongest tie to the old Orient.

Back then you grew wild, but fashioned just so, defended many a peasant.

In my Shotokan, swung like Obi-Wan's wand, you're actually known as "Shinai",

You mimic a sword, swung with two hands, slashing every thing nearby.

You've trained with me, and I've trained with you, and whenever I became lax,

I felt your sharp sting, and closed up my stance, so you wouldn't become my axe.

But as clothing, you're soft, you don't really shed, and your socks wick me right clean,

you take a dye well, and match anything, you can even go back to green.

I'm softening on you, Mr. Bamboo, I don't want to go for reams,

I've been working this poem for over two weeks, and you're even in my dreams.

Despite all I've said, you're not all that bad, my white flag is now unfurled,

So with you I'll make peace, Mr. Bamboo, you've really bamboozled my world.

Chris

Fish and Wildlife Student Gives Time to Elk Bugle Corps

Dawn Buley helped staff the Booth for the Elk Bugle Corps at the Great Smoky Mountain Trout Festival. Here she educates the public on Elk scat :-) Below she demonstrates and Elk call.

HCC's Sustainability Efforts on Display @ 20th Annual Great Smoky Mountain Trout Festival

Haywood Community College's Sustainability Efforts were on display at the 20th Annual Great Smoky Mountain Trout Festival in Maggie Valley on Saturday, June 20th. The hybrid vehicle and Biofuels display drew quite a bit of attention.

The Low Impact Development Curriculum and the Green Building Certificate were also of interest to several guests stopping by our educational display.

2009 Great Smoky Mountain Trout Festival

Haywood Community College had a large number of student volunteers assist in the Catch Clinic at the 20th Annual Great Smoky Mountain Trout Festival. Our students volunteered their time to teach young children about fishing regulations, casting, boat safety, respect for natural resources, and the great fun of fishing for trout. Additionally, Dave Dudek and Shannon Rabby donated their time to coach the kids and organize volunteers. Fish and Wildife, Forestry, and even a horticulture student participated. ...and of course, as always, Jenny Carver was there helping out everyone.


Dave Dudek teaches kids the fine art of casting.


Shannon Rabby and two HCC students teach young children about Boat Safety during this 'active' demo.

20th Annual Great Smoky Mountains Trout Festival

CATCH Clinics to be offered at Maggie Valley Fairgrounds on Saturday, June 20, 2009

On Saturday, June 20 the Natural Resources Management Department of Haywood Community College, the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, the Town of Maggie Valley and Haywood Waterways Association are sponsoring a CATCH youth fishing clinic during the
20th Annual Great Smoky Mountains Trout Festival. This year there will be two CATCH Clinics at the Maggie Valley Festival Grounds. The morning clinic will be held from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM and requires pre-registration. An afternoon clinic with on-site registration will begin promptly at 1:00 PM.

The CATCH (Caring For Aquatics Through Conservation Habits) program is designed to teach young people “how”, “when”, and “where” to fish as well as to introduce lessons in aquatic ecology, water safety, fishing ethics, and respect for the outdoors. Many youngsters in our community have never had a chance to learn how to fish or to explore aquatic habitats. CATCH provides this environmental education opportunity.

The CATCH Clinic is open to youth between the ages of 6 and 15. Necessary equipment will be furnished. A parent or guardian must register and attend with the youth.

PRE-REGISTRATION FOR THE MORNING CATCH CLINIC IS REQUIRED. The number of participants will be limited to 35. To register, call Jenny Carver (828) 627-4560, Haywood Community College, Natural Resources Management Department, between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday – Friday.

Join the fun! Get hooked on fishing!

Master Teacher.....

Jim Hamilton attends a BioFuels Training Session in 2007. He later went on to play a major role in the procurement of $135,000 in grant funds for a BioFuels Center at HCC.

HCC selects Hamilton as 2009 Master Teacher

Written by Diana Conard (HCC PIO) published by Mountaineer

Sunday, 07 June 2009 16:57

Haywood Community College recently awarded the 2009 master teacher award to Dr. Jim Hamilton, an instructor in the forestry program. The HCC master teacher award begins with nominations from students and ends with a professional portfolio review by a panel of the instructor’s peers. Hamilton wears many hats at the college and brings experience from a diverse background to each role. He teaches students in Haywood Early College, as well as traditional college students. He teaches online and face-to-face courses. He is co-advisor to the forestry club where he travels with the students to timber sports competitions. The Alabama native is also the forestry program coordinator and was instrumental in making forestry courses available to students at Cherokee High School. Hamilton has written several grants, which resulted in numerous opportunities for HCC. Hamilton received a bachelor’s degree from the University of the South in Sewanee, Tenn., in Natural Resources and Anthropology. He earned a master’s degree from Auburn University and a doctorate from N. C. State University in forestry. Hamilton worked as an extension agent in Boone for three years. He also served three years in the Peace Corps in Paraguay and South America. He also worked as a Peace Corps trainer and an environmental consultant with the Michigan Cooperative Extension, N.C. Cooperative Extension, and the Southern Coastal Agromedicine Center to expand an outreach model for Integrated Pest Management and pesticide/farm safety education for the Christmas tree industry. He is currently developing an online training course in silvopasture to compliment this handbook. Hamilton acknowledges that developing online content for forestry programs, which is traditionally an outdoor hands-on program, has been a challenge. However, his background in working with a wide demographic range and diverse clientele has severed him well with the community college environment. “My mentors while I was a student were always the instructors who were the most approachable,” Hamilton said. “At HCC, we have a very strong department and each instructor is committed to the success of our students and to the success of our program.” Hamilton said his goal is to teach his students a big picture view of the world in natural resources. “I want them to have a true appreciation of natural resources and a way to express that,” he explained. “But the most important thing is that they learn to be enthusiastic about their career path.” Hamilton said there are several things he enjoys about HCC. “I like the technical nature of the curriculum and the nature of the student body. I appreciate how active the forestry club is and how driven they are to excel.” According to Matt DeLozier, HCC liaison of high school programs, “Jim takes the time to help students that are struggling and also finds ways to challenge the students that are more advanced.” For an example of his creativity in the classroom visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2A52xiIhQI to hear Hamilton’s Soil Order Song, which helps his students remember soil types. Hamilton enjoys spending time with his two sons, Cristian and Lucas and enjoys playing racquetball.