DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT @ haywood community college

Dendrology, elevating student's knowledge of trees to new heights....

noreply@blogger.com (Buddy Tignor) — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 15:32:00 +0000

The Dendrology class learned tree species on an extended hike this week:

Charlies Bunion
Trail Features: Panoramic Views
Trail Location: Newfound Gap
Roundtrip Miles: 8.1 miles
Total Elevation Gain: 1640 feet
Avg. Elev Gain / Mile: 405 feet
Highest Elevation: 6122 feet
Trail Difficulty Rating: 11.38 (strenuous)
Parking Lot Latitude: 35.61084
Parking Lot Longitude: -83.42509

Trail Description:

The trail to Charlies Bunion, via the Appalachian Trail, begins from the Newfound Gap parking lot. The steady climb over the course of the first two miles of the trail quickly leaves the crowds behind.

Just before reaching the Sweat Heifer Creek Trail junction at 1.7 miles, take in the outstanding views of Mount LeConte and Myrtle Point to the north.

During several portions of this section of the trail, you'll be traveling just below or just above 6000 feet in elevation. Being at the highest point along the narrow ridge, with outstanding views on either side of the trail, you'll feel like you're walking along the spine of the Appalachian Mountains.

At roughly 4 miles from the trailhead, a short trail forks off to the left, taking you to Charlies Bunion.

Charlies Bunion is actually a rock out-cropping, and was originally called Fodderstack.

The current name was derived when Charlie Conner went hiking one day with Horace Kephart, an early proponent of a national park in the Smokies, and author of Our Southern Highlanders. When they paused for a rest on the rocks, Conner took his boots and socks off, exposing a bunion that looked like the surrounding rocks. Looking at Conner's feet, Kephart remarked, "Charlie, I'm going to get this place put on a government map for you." And so he did.

Charlies Bunion offers stunning views of the mountains to the north of you, Mt. Kephart and the Jump Off to your west, and Mount Guyot towards the east. Because of the steep drop-offs, you'll want to watch you’re footing here. (Post by Jenny Carver)

A Practical Education...

noreply@blogger.com (Buddy Tignor) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 16:46:00 +0000

Every student that graduates from Fish and Wildlife Management at Haywood Community College will need basic knowledge about wildlife food plots. Let’s face it, wildlife food plots are not the solution to meet the needs for most wildlife species across a landscape. However, food plots are something landowners are deeply interested in for a variety of reasons. As a result, most of our graduates will be expected to be able to understand, plan, design, construct, plant, and manage wildlife food plots at some point during their careers. Thanks to our partnership with the NC Wildlife Resources Commission, they provide us with the necessary land so that our students can practice what they learn in the classroom. Through what we now call the “adopt-a-food-plot” program, our students have opportunities to watch their knowledge and hard work grow in a real setting that benefits wildlife, sportsmen, and wildlife viewers alike. We hope you enjoy this picture of a winter wheat-clover mixture that was planted by the Wildlife Botany class this fall in beautiful Haywood County. Happy Hunting! (post by Chris Graves)

Wildlife Club Apparel

noreply@blogger.com (Jenny Carver) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:09:00 +0000

With the holidays just around the corner, let us help you save time and money during this busy shopping season . . . right here on campus!

We have HCC Wildlife Club apparel available for purchase through the Department of Natural Resources office. Please contact Jenny for pricing and availability of items.

Office: Room 302

Bldg#: 300

Telephone# 627-4560

Email jcarver@haywood.edu

Thank you for your support! Proceeds go toward club expenses incurred during conclave competition, travel, and club-sponsored activities.

New Online Course Offerings Spring 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Jenny Carver) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:34:00 +0000

The Department of Natural Resources has two new courses this spring. Both are offered online (will fit any schedule) and will make good use of existing resources from Western North Carolina as well as Google Earth and more....

ENV 110 Environmental Science (ONLINE)

This course covers the environmental problems facing society today. Topics include population, natural resources, air and water pollution, and waste disposal problems. (pon completion, students should be able to demonstrate insight into the role the individual plays in shaping the environment.

LAR 120 Sustainable Development (ONLINE)

This course introduces students to sustainable practices in site design and land development. Topics include conservation subdivision design, transportation issues, urban planning, water conservation, rain gardens, alternative technologies, permaculture design, low impact design, and grey water systems. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate techniques and procedures used for mitigating the impact of development on the environment.

Asian Garden to Get Makeover...

noreply@blogger.com (Buddy Tignor) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:23:00 +0000

Students in the Landscape Design I class recently began taking measurements of the HCC Asian Garden located behind the greenhouses at the Nix Horticulture Complex. The data will be utilized in the development of a planting plan for the area that will serve as the students’ final project for the fall 2009 semester. A donation of $750 from the Haywood County Master Gardener Volunteer Association has made the project possible. The funds will be utilized to allow upgrades to the pond liner and pump system, increases in the diversity of plant materials in the area, and placement of additional plant identification signage in the area. Students in the spring semester Landscape Management I class will install the selected design and complete the garden improvement. Many thanks are extended to the Master Gardener Association for their generous support of the garden upgrade. Additional thanks goes to the Waynesville Garden Club which has expressed an interest in helping with completion of the project. Updates will be posted as improvements are completed.(post by John Sherman)

Silvics and Silviculture Tour of Bent Creek

noreply@blogger.com (Blair Bishop) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 21:12:00 +0000

Sophomores in the Forest Management Technology program recently visited Bent Creek Experimental Forest to study the application upland hardwood silvicultural treatments used throughout the Southern Appalachians. Bent Creek Experimental Forest is the oldest federal experimental forest east of the Mississippi river and was established in 1925 for the purpose of conducting research on silvicultural practices that would aid in the rehabilitation of cutover, abused lands and promote sustainable forestry, and also to provide a field demonstration of forest management practices.

... About Our Fish and Wildlife Program

noreply@blogger.com (Buddy Tignor) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:45:00 +0000

The Fish and Wildlife Management Program in the Department of Natural Resources Management at Haywood Community College is proud to announce that its new and improved Curriculum has been approved and is up and running strong. Use the link, Fish and Wildlife Management, under the Technology Programs section at the right side of this page to view the courses currently offered at the College. Also, we have included a slide presentation for your enjoyment! (post by Chris Graves)

Dendrology and Local History Collide....

noreply@blogger.com (Buddy Tignor) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:28:00 +0000

One of the favorite classes both Wildlife and Forestry students take at HCC is dendrology. To learn the over one hundred species of trees and plants that we require, many hours of field trips are needed so students see the forest types that all of the plants occupy. We get the students out to many areas and expose all of the ones not from the area to many historic and recreational opportunities that this region offers. Last week all of the 6 sections of labs were taken to Cataloochee Valley to be tested and see new species that are in the valley.

They are now learning how to identify all the trees by twigs and buds, winter tree ID. The 3.5 mile hike took them to the Woody house, a historic home of one of the original settlers in the valley before it became a National Park. Here are a few pictures of one of the six sections of lab that were on the house porch, sitting on a log bridge crossing a stream, and as we left they got to see some of the elk that have been reintroduced into the valley.

This is at the end of rut season, but some of the bulls are still bugling for females. This is just one of the awesome filed trips this class offers to all freshmen in Natural Resource Management class that has become a favorite of the two years spent here. (post by Bob Pinkston)

Catch of the Day, "Mottled sculpin"

noreply@blogger.com (Jenny Carver) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 17:40:00 +0000

Fish and Wildlife Management student, Danielle Crocker, took third place in the pumpkin carving contest held on the HCC campus October 29, with her Mottled sculpin entry. Natural Resources applauds her creativity and ability to portray her education through master pumpkin carving techniques. Congratulations Danielle!

Happy Halloween from the Horticulture Program

noreply@blogger.com (Buddy Tignor) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 22:51:00 +0000

(images provided by John Sherman)

Followup on Horticulture Club Service Project

noreply@blogger.com (gthomas) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 14:35:00 +0000

Taking advantage of some rare, sunny fall weather, horticulture club members continued their hard work at the Waynesville VFW Post yesterday by planting shrubs. These plants were grown from cuttings by students in plant propagation (HOR168) and cared for by the nursery operations students (HOR124). Additional work will include mulching and planting perennials this spring.

Cold Mountain Lives Up To Its Name....

noreply@blogger.com (Buddy Tignor) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 17:02:00 +0000

A few brave students followed Bob Pinkston, Natural Resources Technician, to the summit of Cold Mountain on Saturday, October 17th for our once monthly adventure excursion. We began with a light rain and decided to take the hike anyway with expectations of a snow flurry or two once in the higher elevations. The flurries began about half way up and the students were excited to see some snow with fall colors in their peak. After arriving at Deep Gap, about three fourths to the top, the snow was really sticking and had accumulated up to about 1.5 to 2 inches on the ground and sticking to all leaves hanging over the trail. The conditions turned brutal quickly with wet snow and 25 degree temperatures. No view was available at the summit so we changed out wet clothing, ate, drank, and quickly headed back down the mountain. One student was not really prepared for these conditions, so I wanted her moving back down quickly to keep her core temperature up and avoid possible hypothermia.

Footing was very difficult with new wet leaves covering rocks on the trail and snow on top of that. After getting back to deep gap elevation, snow turned to light rain again and the effort
had warmed everyone back up again. No one was really in danger, but it was a learning experience and a challenge for the students to test their abilities. I have climbed Cold Mountain literally over 100 times in the last thirty years, at least one hike for every season of the year, just a ritual of mine. I love taking the students on these monthly events and passing on any skills that I have acquired on these adventures and share the breath taking views and challenges sometimes encountered in seeking out those views. No long distance views this time, but the sight of fresh, mid-October snow, highlighting peak fall colors was well worth the cold and wet hike. Come join us next month. Forgive the blurry picture, the camera sensor was not working correctly in the cold. This was Jeremy Graves', Forestry Club President, third summit on Cold
Mountain with me. (**** post by Bob Pinkston****)

Opportunity Showcase Highlights

noreply@blogger.com (Jenny Carver) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:15:00 +0000

On Thursday, October 15, representatives from Haywood Community College hosted their annual Opportunity Showcase for local area middle and high schools. Approximately 1200 - 1500 students from 9 different schools attended our event.

Kudos Guys!!!! Thanks to Blair Bishop, Chris Graves, Jim Hamilton, Bob Pinkston, Shannon Rabby and John Sherman for assisting me with the Natural Resources departmental display on stage throughout the day. Special thanks to Bob for volunteering his time during the entire event.

My photo collection includes cross-campus faculty & staff representatives from several participating departments as well as many student volunteers. Event proved successful and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.

(post by Jenny Carver)

Horticulture Fall Field Trips - Part 1

noreply@blogger.com (gthomas) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 12:53:00 +0000

Biltmore Estates served as the host site for two horticulture field trips last week. HOR160 (Plant Materials I) students had the opportunity to observe deciduous trees in a landscape setting while HOR255 (Interiorscapes) students surveyed the multitude of interior plant selections found in the conservatory. Despite the rainy conditions, our students seemed to enjoy the opportunity to spend time away from the normal campus environment and learn about plants in a different setting.

Horticulture Therapy Added to HOR Curriculum Fall 2009...

noreply@blogger.com (Buddy Tignor) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 01:35:00 +0000

Horticulture therapy utilizes plant culture activities/techniques to deliver benefits to a wide range of individuals exhibiting various forms of trauma, disability, or disadvantage. The therapeutic benefits of plants (as medicines) have been known for ages. It was a relatively recent discovery, however, that the process of working with plants also had the potential to improve human existence. Horticulture therapy is a recognized tool for use in improving the cognitive, physical, psychological, and social functions of individuals with a variety of disadvantages (e.g., spinal cord and traumatic brain injury, MS and cerebral palsy, mental illness, mental disadvantage, autism, and substance abuse).

The Horticulture Technology program at HCC recently added an Intro to Hort Therapy course (HOR 154) to its curriculum. Students enrolled this fall are being introduced to a series of projects/activities for use in a horticulture therapy setting.

A recent horticulture therapy class activity involved mounting staghorn fern (Platcerium bifurcatum) onto wood panels for use as living wall ornaments. Staghorn fern, being a natural epiphyte, is well suited for use in the project. In the process, a mound of soil is centered on a piece of wood; a fern plant is placed on top, surrounded with sphagnum moss, and then wired in place. Wires are wound between nails previously arranged around the mounting area. In time, the plant will generate a sterile frond (a shield-like leaf) that will adhere it to the wooden base and also obscure any wires/hardware that may initially be in sight.

Therapeutic benefits that can be procured from this activity include problem solving (which step comes first?), motor skill improvement (the wiring can be tricky), and self esteem improvement (I just made something worthwhile!). The plant benefits, and so does the individual.

Haywood Lumberjacks Reclaim Cradle Title...BIGTIME

noreply@blogger.com (Jim Hamilton) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 14:06:00 +0000

The HCC Lumberjacks piled on victory after victory to win by a 73 point margin at the 14th Annual John G. Palmer Intercollegiate Woodsmens meet at the Cradle of Forestry on Saturday. After a close 2nd place finish in 2008, "redemption" was an understatement this weekend. Weeks of practice and leadership by Forestry Club President, Jeremy Graves and Team Captain, Daniel Jones certainly paid off.

After a hearty lumberjack breakfast served by Blacksmithing Instructor, David Burnette and crew, Haywood got off to an early victory in Quiz Bowl as sophomores Bill Sweeney, Dawn Salley, Derek Morgan, and Cory Walsh handily beat NC State in the first round and Montgomery Community College in the finals. Haywood's archers kept up the tempo with a first and second place finish, and HCC's defending log roll team of Frank Potts, Jeremy Graves, Dawn Salley, and Rance Rogers made their under-a-minute win look easy. The lumberjacks placed in almost every event, but secured a blowout with other 1st place finishes in the following events:

Pulp Toss--Haywood's Sophomore A-Team
Water Boil--Derek Morgan
Pole Climb--Seth Snow
Bolt Split-- Jarrett Guffey
Jack and Jill Crosscut--Daniel Jones and Dawn Salley
Men's Crosscut--Daniel Jones and Chris Chappell
Single Buck--Daniel Jones
Men's Chainsaw--Daniel Jones
Women's Horizontal Speed Chop--Sarah Miller

Video: Seth Snow sprints to the finish in the Pole Climb Event

Video: Men's Crosscutters Daniel Jones and Chris Chappell take 1st.

Many thanks to the faculty, staff, and volunteers who made the 2009 event such an overwhelming success!

Kyker Bottoms Refuge....

noreply@blogger.com (Buddy Tignor) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 19:41:00 +0000

On September 4, 2009, the Wildlife Botany class visited Kyker Bottoms Refuge managed by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) to learn moist-soil wetland plants and upland species not commonly found in the Blue Ridge Province. The field trip was a great success and students learned a variety of new plants, as well as habitat management practices that created this “small paradise for wildlife” in East Tennessee. The students were able to assist the Wildlife Manager with a prescribed burn to prepare a few fields for an upcoming quota dove hunt. Needless to say, this was a highlight for many of the students, and the manager was happy to have plenty of laborers around to assist. Special thanks to Mr. Bill Smith!

Horticulture Community Outreach

noreply@blogger.com (gthomas) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 13:24:00 +0000

On Saturday Sept 19th, the Jackson County Green Energy Park hosted their annual community expo. Haywood Community College was well represented by two members of the Horticulture program. Instructor George Thomas gave a presentation on "Propagation of Woody and Herbaceous Perennial Plants", while sophomore student Sage Smith gave a talk on "Basic Principles of Bonsai".

“The Jackson County Green Energy Park (JCGEP) is a landfill recovery program located in the historic small town of Dillsboro, North Carolina. The JCGEP mission is to offer environmental protection, educational opportunities, and increased economic development to the community through the utilization of landfill gas (LFG) and other clean, renewable energy resources.”

Visit their site at: www.jcgep.org

Hardy Hike with Bob....

noreply@blogger.com (Buddy Tignor) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 15:21:00 +0000

On Saturday, September 19th, Bob Pinkston took some members of the Forest Management curriculum to Mt Hardy in Pisgah National Forest. The threat of rain kept many that had planned on attending the hike from showing up, but a few seasoned outdoors men took the chance. We actually had no rain until we returned to our trucks and even got a rare glance at some blue ski. The trail is very old and rarely used so we got off trail some but always tied back into the old “Path”. There were lots of blueberries and black berries to eat and the smells of the spruce/fir forest were very rewarding. We saw a lot of very healthy fir trees, as can be seen in the photos, and that is exciting to find in a region devastated by the Balsam Wooly Adelgid. It sure gives us hope for their future as well as the hemlock. We will do the Cold Mountain hike on the Art Loeb trail the third weekend of October and continue to take adventure hikes each and every month, especially in the coldest of winter. Everyone is welcome to join us. We practice our dendrology ID on all of the hikes, so come hone your skills as well as your body.

Horticulture Club Service Project

noreply@blogger.com (gthomas) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 12:41:00 +0000

Horticulture Club members kicked off the new school year yesterday by assisting the VFW post in Waynesville with a landscaping project. Students planted several red maples throughout the front parking area.

Phase 2 of this project will be completed in a couple of weeks when additional foundation shrubs and perennial species will be installed (all propagated and cared for by our students in nursery and propagation classes).

Lumberjack Demo Downtown

noreply@blogger.com (Jim Hamilton) — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 03:44:00 +0000

Over the weekend, the Haywood Lumberjacks brought out the hardware to give the townsfolk and tourists in Waynesville a little history lesson. Several members of the team participated in festivities for the 75th anniversary of the Great Smoky National Park on Main Street, giving passersby lessons in cross-cut sawing, chopping, and water-boiling. Haywood's lumberjacks are gearing up for the 14th Annual Intercollegiate Woodsmens Meet which will be held at the Cradle of Forestry on Saturday, October 3rd against rivals Penn State Mont Alto, Montgomery Community College, and others. Photo: Forestry Club President, Jeremy Graves gives the 'misery whip' a run in downtown Waynesville.

40th Reunion for Class of '69 and Jammin' @ the Mill Pond

noreply@blogger.com (Buddy Tignor) — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 19:14:00 +0000

Today, 14 of the 22 graduates of the Forestry Management Technology Program - Class of 1969 - gathered at HCC for a reunion. Several of the graduates had not seen each other in 4 decades. It was our special privilege to be able to host this event. Thank you class of '69 for allowing us to be a part of your wonderful gathering.

Special thanks to Steve Sorrells (class of '69, and current BOT member), Jenny Carver, Jim Hamilton, Blair Bishop (and his dad!) , Dr. Johnson, Jeremy Graves, and Sarah Miller for helping make this event a big success. Steve suggested having 10, 20, 30, and 40 - year class reunions annually @ the Jammin' at the Millpond even for the Department of Natural Resources. We think this is a wonderful idea and plan to pursue.

Several other local folks were on hand including Doug Staiger (previous Division Chairperson) and Kenneth, E. McJunkin (Transylvania County Ranger). Many family members also joined the alumni members at the reunion.

Students from the Forestry and Fish & Wildlife clubs were also on hand at the festival to discuss our programs and demonstrate timber-sports.

Practicing for the Cradle ... look out Penn :-)

Sometimes even faculty members are allowed to play.

Where we come from...

noreply@blogger.com (Buddy Tignor) — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 13:12:00 +0000

It is an exciting Fall in the Department of Natural Resources. Enrollment is up across all programs and in some cases it has doubled over last fall. Again our students are arriving from locations throughout North Carolina and beyond. (click on maps to ENLARGE view)

From the Archives: Wood Products Promotional Video

noreply@blogger.com (Jim Hamilton) — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 13:51:00 +0000

Bill Siebert, one of the founders of HCC's Wood Products program, recently shared this promotional video highlighting the college's sawmill and program(cerca early 1990's?). While the wood products program was halted in 2003, the college received a grant from the US Forest Service's Wood Education and Resource Center in 2008 to crank up the mill again to offer short courses in lumber grading, log grading and scaling, and other wood products training. This spring, 18 Forest Management curriculum students and local sawyers took part in the project's first short course. Due to the economic situation facing the regional wood products industry, the project has been extended through 2011.

Christmas in August...

noreply@blogger.com (Buddy Tignor) — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 01:24:00 +0000

It is that time of year again. The Horticulture folks have begun gearing up for a new fall semester. Dr. John Sherman will teach Greenhouse Management this fall. The Poinsettias that students will manage throughout the fall are already under way! The cuttings arrived from Guatemala on Monday morning in Mills River and with help from Jenny Carver were on campus late the same afternoon.