Exploring OUR Land:
Public Land Use in the AFNHA
Our summer 2020 exhibit, Exploring OUR Land: Public Land use in the AFNHA, investigated the varied ways people use public lands in the Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area. The exhibit started by examining why public lands were created and how people continue to improve them. The second section focused on the government agencies who manage the lands and their different goals. The final section celebrated all the different ways people enjoy public lands from scientists to foragers and historical reenactors to bigfoot hunters.
See the full exhibit panels here, and photos of the exhibit here.
What is Public Land
Public land is any land owned by a government and open for the public (you) to use. It is YOUR land managed by the government so it will be here for generations to enjoy.
““If trees could talk and cuss it would be a poor place for a preacher to go on a picnic” ”
Canaan Valley, 1933
Photo courtesy of USDA Forest Service
Spruce Knob (in Monongahela National Forest)
Photo courtesy of Kelly Bridges, USDA Forest Service
Why does the government manage the land?
Because in the early 1900s, concerned people asked the government to protect the land from uncontrolled development, logging, and mining.
Canaan Valley, 1954
Photo courtesy of USDA Forest Service
Early settlers thought the area’s tree supply was limitless, but by the end of the logging boom era (~1880-1920) there was hardly a tree left standing in the AFNHA. This led to fires and flooding that destroyed people’s and animals’ homes. People across the nation urged the government to do something to protect the environment. This led to the creation of many federal, state and local government agencies which continue to protect our land today.
Improving the Land
From the very beginning, the goal of public land was to protect it and improve the environment.
Check out this catch song about the Weeks Act that features lyrics from the actual bill!
Watershed Restoration
One of the first tasks of the newly formed public land agencies was to restore and protect the watersheds destroyed by mismanaged logging. In fact, the Weeks Act allowed the government to purchase lands for the exact purpose of protecting waterways. It is the reason public lands exist in the eastern United States. The lack of trees and destruction of the forest floor had led to massive floods in the area.
Watershed restoration involves many tasks including rebuilding stream beds, planting trees, and adding roots nests to create habitat for aquatic critters.
CCC Crew Reinforcing a Stream Bank
Photo courtesy of USDA Forest Service
Adding Large Woody Material to a Stream
Photo courtesy of USDA Forest Service
Fire Prevention
Fire was a major problem on early public lands. In the early 1930s, Emory “Pop” Wrinston, Forest Ranger for the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, drove around the state in his Model-A truck and set up a movie and slide projector to educate people on how to prevent wildfires. Once, he gave a presentation with wildfires visible on three sides of the audience
Pop Wrinston’s makeshift traveling fire prevention program, 1928
Image Courtesy of West Virginia State Archives
Smokey Bear
Created in 1944 by the US Department of Agriculture, Smokey Bear promotes fire safety. He has become a widely recognized and beloved figure for many people in the United States
Public land agencies have used various methods to fight fires over the years including building fire towers on the tops of mountains, assigning fire wardens to recruit volunteer firefighters, and using planes to drop water or chemicals on flames.
Gaudineer Knob Fire Tower
Image Courtesy of USDA Forest Service
Arial fire suppression plane modified from a WWII bomber
Image Courtesy of USDA Forest Service
Fire Warden handing out pamphlets
Image Courtesy of USDA Forest Service
Civilian Conservation Corps planting crew. The CCC planted over a million trees on the Monongahela National Forest in 1937!
Image Courtesy of USDA Forest Service
Replanting the Forest
When public lands were first created in the AFNHA there were almost no trees to be seen. In fact the Monongahela National Forest was known as the “Mon briar patch.” Through natural regrowth and strategic plantings, our forests are beautiful and healthy again. Today, trees are still planted to achieve goals. For example, multiple agencies partner with CASRI to plant red spruce in the area which will help create habitat for endangered animals.
Meet the Managers
Although all public land managing agencies aim to protect the environment, each organization has different goals and implement different strategies to achieve them. Some focus on preservation, aiming to keep the land looking a certain way and focusing on recreation. Others focus on conservation, managing resources in a way that provides the greatest good for the greatest number of people in the long run. Test your skills in this game by matching the agency’s name to its mission.
Check out the Leave No Trace YouTube channel to find leave no trace tips, like this video on how to use W.A.G. bags to responsibly poop in the woods
Map of public land in the AFNHA. See a larger version of map label section.
Map created by AFNHA AmeriCorps Willie Weems
Remember when you are exploring our public lands you also become its manager! As a manager, it is important that you protect the environment for other visitors and the animals that live there. One way to do this is to follow the Leave No Trace Seven Principles:
1. Plan Ahead and Prepare
2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
3. Dispose of Waste Properly
4. Leave What You Find
5. Minimize Campfire Impacts
6. Respect Wildlife
7. Be Considerate of Other Visitors
© 1999 by the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics: www.LNT.org
Using the Land
People use public land for hundreds of different things, including learning, resource gathering, recreation, and remembering history. The images below aim to show the diversity of things you can do on public lands in the AFNHA, but are by no means a complete list. We encourage you to go outside and explore them yourself!
Meet the Designer
This exhibit was created by AmeriCorps Member Sarah Rosenkrans, who served with AFNHA for two years. Prior to moving to Elkins, Sarah received her Bachelors in History from the University of Arkansas: Fort Smith and Masters in Museum Exhibition Planning and Design from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. She loved living and serving in West Virginia where the landscape is beautiful and the people are welcoming.
