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The 6,500-acre Cradle of Forestry Historic Site in the Pink Beds valley, NC, was established by Congress in 1968  and contains the first official school for forestry in America – the Biltmore Forest School. After purchasing land in the Asheville, NC area in the mid to late 1800's, George Vanderbilt was prompted by Frederick Law Olmsted to hire a forester to maintain his property. Vanderbilt selected Gifford Pinchot to restore and manage his massive expanse of lands. It was during this time that Forestry in America began, as demonstrated by the following "firsts":

*Gifford Pinchot became the first American trained in   Forestry.

*The first comprehensive forestry plan in America began on George Vanderbilt's property.

*Dr. Carl Schenck, a German Forester, began the first college for forestry in America - the Biltmore Forest School.

*The first large purchase of protected forest land by the US Government after the 1911 Weeks Act is 86,700 acres of the Pisgah Forest. It was sold at a discount by Edith Vanderbilt - George's widow.

These events paved the way for Dr. Carl Schenck to open the Biltmore Forest School in 1898. For 15 years, the students practiced the science and business of forestry and eventually produced over 300 foresters who began the profession of forestry in the United States. After being established as a historic site, the school became affectionately known as the "Cradle of Forestry in America".

The Cradle of Forestry Interpretive Association (CFIA), a 501c3 non profit was founded in 1972 by a group of conservationists to help the US Forest Service tell the story of forest conservation in America. Over the years, the CFIA has worked closely with the USFS by:

* Assisting in the operation of the Cradle of Forestry            Historic Site.

* Operating USFS campgrounds and recreational areas in 5 states.

* Providing Environmental Educational programming and workshops on a region-wide basis.

* Operating small USFS retail sites in Ranger Stations and   Visitor Centers in 11 states.