See 'America's First Forest' in Asheville

ASHEVILLE - The Conservation Trust for North Carolina will host a special screening of “America’s First Forest: Carl Schenck and the Asheville Experiment,” June 23, at the Fine Arts Theatre.

The film is the first full-length, in-depth documentary made about legendary forester and educator Carl Schenck. It explores Carl Schenck’s work at the Biltmore Estate and his 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.

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 Biltmore Estate 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.

Tickets are $20 per person and may be purchased in advance at the Theatre, 36 Biltmore Ave., or online at www.fineartstheatre.com.

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.