Santee Cooper forester Joseph Stephens describes longleaf pine regeneration and other aspects of forest management to teachers. Santee Cooper owns and manages their lands for multi-purposes, including protecting endangered species, recreation, aesthetics, and wood fiber production.

Brian Collins with Stone Container discusses their landowner assistance program with teachers. Stone Container does not own their own forest lands but assist private landowners in managing their forests.

Teachers examine a freshly plowed fire break..

Forestry Commission employees Lynn LeClair, Rickey Mackey, and John Thompson presented an excellent discussion on wildfire suppression and the Commission’s role of protecting South Carolina’s forests. John then demonstrated how to plow a firebreak. "I now understand what prescribed burning really is. I have a greater awareness and appreciation for forests, forestry as a science, the people from every level that work in the forest industry and all the uses and products from this renewable natural resource." Marti Esarey -Westview Elementary - Goose Creek

A visit to G-P’s Particleboard Mill in Russellville concluded the morning session. Here, teachers discovered how sawdust and other waste materials are turned into useful consumer products. The "no waste" policy helps utilize all parts of the tree.

"I never realized there were so many different products that came out of wood or so many different careers associated with the timber industry." Gwen Lawrimore - Beck Middle School - Georgetown

The highlight of the day, and for many the entire tour, was the thinning operation demonstration in the field by Joe Young’s logging operation crew. After feeding the teachers a good old fashioned Lowcountry Pileau ("Pur-lu" for you folks not from the South) and more banana pudding, Joe’s crew demonstrated the latest state-of-the-art equipment and methods for thinning.

Teachers enjoy a Lowcountry Pileau before watching a thinning operation.	Joe Young discusses the harvesting operation before leading the teachers into the field.
The large wheels on this feller-buncher and the forwarder below help minimize soil damage during a harvest operation.	High-tech equipment, such as this cut-to-length harvester allows the operator to maximize the amount of wood harvested from a tree while minimizing damage to the environment.
"Visiting the plants was interesting. However, the day spent in the woods with Joe Young was the highlight for me. I have a whole new perspective on forests, forestry, foresters and forestry products" say’s Bob Davis of West End Elementary School in Easley.	Many of the participants not only watched but also got a first-hand view, climbing aboard some of the equipment to see how it worked. Many of the teachers have a new hero to look up to now, Wanda the driver of the forwarder. One teacher was overheard saying she was taking down her Wonder Woman poster and replacing it with a picture of Wanda. They certainly were impressed that a female had such a tough field job in the industry.

The teachers watched as Joe Young and his crew demonstrated the high tech equipment used in modern logging operations. The cut-to-length harvester uses computers to remove portions of the useable saw timber in a tree and separate it from the smaller pulpwood. The forwarder then stacks and carries the saw timber to a waiting truck to be carried to the sawmill and made into valuable lumber. Skidders bring the smaller sections of the trees to be delimbed and sent to the whole tree chippers, which remove the bark and chip the trees into small wood chips. Wood chips are more economical and safer to transport on the highway to the paper mills than whole trees. Tubgrinders grid up the limbs, leaves, bark and other "waste" materials generated during the harvest operation to be used as fuel at the paper mill, reducing the need to use expensive coal generated electricity. Trees are a renewable natural resource, unlike coal, which is non-renewable.

"Not only were we able to hear about the equipment but we had a up-close visit. I wasn’t aware that all of the tree was used." Gina Smith - Oakbrook Elementary in Dorchester County

The rest of the afternoon was spent with employees of the Francis Marion National Forest, learning about prescribed fire, longleaf ecosystem restoration and managing for endangered species such as the red-cockaded woodpecker.

Forest Service employees discuss managing forests for endangered species. Using artificial nesting cavities, Francis Marion National Forest has show success in bringing back the habitat lost during Hugo for the red-cockaded woodpecker.	This stop along the Palmetto trail was appropriately named for the hot summer day during the tour.
Teachers hike along the Palmetto Trail in the Francis Marion National Forest.	Forest Service experts discuss their efforts on regeneration of the longleaf pine ecosystem of the National Forest. Longleaf need prescribed fire to help reduce competition.

That evening, the teachers enjoyed a dinner hosted by Santee Cooper at Wampee Conference Center, where Joe Anderson of Caesar’s Head told tales of "hags, plateyes," and other unwritten stories of South Carolina’s history. If you ever get an opportunity to hear this storyteller, take advantage of it. He had the crowd laughing and crying at the same time.

Day Three

On Thursday, teachers loaded the bus to spend the morning exploring Westvaco’s industrial plantations, the sawmill at Summerville, and the pulp, papermill and chemical divisions on the Cooper river. Westvaco employees did an excellent job of explaining their ecosystem management techniques, and demonstrating the variety of products that can be made from the paper industry. But most impressive was the technology demonstrated at the sawmill.

After the bark is removed, logs move into the mill for measuring and cutting into lumber. All done with high tech computers and automation.	Some jobs still have to be done by hand. Here lumber is graded as it moves through the line.
	" I was highly impressed by the sawmill and jobs offered there. Actually seeing the tree coming in on trucks and the complete process to make lumber was fascinating. I will now look at trees in a different aspect," exclaimed Debra Wilson of Columbia.
The finished product. Bar codes on the ends of each board contain information detailing everything from where the trees came from to the day they were processed. This information is useful in keeping long range data to determine the sustainability of the resource.

"I am amazed at the technology used in the industry now. There are unbelievable opportunities for careers in the forest industry. A forester is not just someone who marks trees," said Regina Henson of Lugoff Elementary School.

Westvaco Pulp, Paper and Chemical Facility

Truck unload their wood chips by being tilted.	Teachers examine the control room. Almost every aspect of the paper mill is controlled from this point.
The final results - informed teachers with packaged rolls of Kraft paper ,ready to be shipped and used throughout the world.

Next, the teachers were treated to a delicious meal at the Sewee Visitor’s Center in Awendaw. After viewing a film on the wildlife refuge and the national forest, teachers came face to face with a screech owl as they discussed wildlife rehabilitation with a representative of the Center for Birds of Prey. After a tour of the Visitors Center and a short walk to see the endangered red wolf, it was off on the "Magic School Bus" again.

	Teachers tour the exhibits at Sewee Visitors Center and later tour the grounds. It was amazing to see damage done to the forests from Hugo. The teachers also visited the endangered Red Wolf holding pens. Red Wolves are being introduced at Bulls Island.
The final leg of the tour was a stop by the Midway Plantation to view and discuss this private landowners management strategies. A representative of the Tree Farm association also gave a good overview of its program for the teachers.
Teachers relax on the porch at the Midway Plantation after discussing the Tree Farm Program.	" I have a much better knowledge of the environment and how everything works together with this course. I will be able to share this understanding with little ones who simply think we need to ‘save a tree’. These trees are saved and used to their fullest and not discarded but replanted with the help of many," saidTammy Jackson of Berkeley Elementary in Moncks Corner.

That evening marked the last of the great meals, with a dinner of shrimp and fried chicken, more banana pudding, and refreshments being served by Westvaco at their Bonneau Ferry Conference Center. What a beautiful way to end the week under the arms of the live oaks, overlooking the marsh around the Cooper river.

Teachers take a moment to relax under the spreading limbs of a live oak at Bonneau Ferry before they enjoy their evening meal after a long day’s tour.

Boiled shrimp or fried chicken. Either way the teachers didn’t go hungry .

One of the greatest advantages of a course like this is the sharing of ideas, methods, and the fellowship that develops among the participants. Here, teachers relax on the front porch of Bonneau Ferry overlooking the Ashley River to discuss the last three day’s events. "The things I enjoyed most was being given information about resources, contact people and materials and being so welcomed as potential users of these services. Also, the planning, funding, attitude, support for us as teachers by the sponsors and tour participants. This was real and this was useable." -Norma E. Phillips - Rosemary Middle School - Andrews

Friday marked the end of the tour for the participants. Dean Carson did an excellent demonstration of the many new engineered wood products being produced in the industry now. Jerry Shrum demonstrated more Project Learning Tree exercises that could be used in the classrooms, and the teachers gave their testimonials and summaries of the tour and it’s contents.

Teachers prepare their evaluations and testimonials before departing. Teachers are given every opportunity to discuss, question, and comment on the content and methods of the program. This evaluation technique is very important in maintaining the quality of the course. Posters, books, literature and other resources are a valuable component of this tour. Teachers receive a vast amount of materials to help them in their classroom instruction.

There is a lot of discussion going on throughout the forest industry about the need for educating the public and many avenues being explored to accomplish this. Educating teachers is probably the single most effective method of reaching the public. By changing their attitudes and giving them the experience and knowledge necessary to discuss sound scientific-based forestry practices and it’s importance to the public in South Carolina, the forest industry is making great strides in getting the sustainable message across. Raising the teachers’ awareness will, in turn, raise the awareness of the public in general.

If you don’t believe that a course like this one can make a difference, just listen to what the teachers have to say about it in the testimonial that follow.

COMMENTS FROM THE TEACHERS ON THE TOUR

"I have a much better understanding of sustainable forestry. I see the concern taken for the environment. I realize now how narrow the scope of understanding was/is for educators. I am excited to have learned of all the products I was unaware of. My curriculum will be better to educate the students. I will be able to inform them so that they might think critically about the issues and the environment. I look forward to sharing the resources with other teachers This was a very enjoyable course. The resources we received will be appreciated and used totally"

-Joann Poore - St. James Elementary School -Murrell’s Inlet

"I now know how available the jobs are in the forest industry and what degrees/colleges to tell my students to go to for this training. I plan to do a forestry unit, including field trips and guest speakers. I want to spread the word! There is too much ignorance about forestry in this state.

Emily Gore - Oakbrook Elementary School

I was ‘floored’ at the diversity of forest related careers available to our students. I am more aware of the sustainability of wood as a natural resource and am confident that we will leave this world in better shape than it was left to us. My ideas have changed as a teacher, parent, and consumer. I have a new respect for those in forest related occupations. I can’t wait to write my unit for class. The hard part will be limiting the possible activities and directions (emphasis)."

Norma E. Phillips - Rosemary Middle School - Andrews

" I now know the importance of actually cutting our forests when properly managed. I now have a better understanding on how to explain the process of forest management to my students. I will spend more time doing activities that involve forests and forest related fields. I have never enjoyed a course more than this one."

Tonia Mackey - A.C. Corcoran Elementary - Charleston<

"My textbook does not cover forests or forestry in any facet. With this course, I now have the resources to expand my subject matter. This was the best teacher training course I’ve ever attended. We were treated first class and it was nice to be told how much we were appreciated instead of how poor our schools and teaching are."

Robert (Bob) Davis - West End Elementary School - Easley

"I have a new perception of the idea of management through fire. I literally had no idea that companies took so much interest in the environment. Also, I have never felt so ignorant on the ‘renewable resource’ issue. I feel a lot better about industry and the environment. I will integrate the ideas throughout my curriculum. My main objective is to educate the students on managing nature while still protecting it. Another aspect I want to communicate with 8^th graders is the wide range of fields available in forestry. I can’t imagine a more perfectly organized program."

Gwendolyn Janice Burger - Crosswell Elementary School - Pickens Co.

" I have taken many courses over the years and I can truly say this was one of the best. Everything was well organized, all the information was useful and could be put into practice in the classroom. The resources were also some of the best I’ve been given. This tour has given me far more than I expected. I wanted this for background information for the unit that I’m teaching next year. I received not only a wealth of information for this but also ideas for other units for the classroom. I would recommend this program to others. It has been one of the most useful classes I’ve taken."

Gwen Lawrimore - Beck Middle School - Georgetown

1998 S.C. TEACHERS’ TOUR PARTICIPANTS

NAME	SCHOOL	COUNTY	GRADE/SUBJECT
Janice Burger	Crosswell Elementary	Pickens	3rd, 5th & 6th- All Subjects
William Bostwick	Walhalla High School	Oconee	10th-12th - Applied Biology
Pam Barrett	Briggs Elementary	Florence	3rd & 4th - All Subjects
Robert L. Davis	West End Elementary	Pickens	5th - Science
Marti Esarey	Westview Elementary	Berkley	1st - 4th - Science & Computers
Emily L. Gore	Oakbrook Elementary	Dorchester	5th - Math, Science, Social Studies
Bogan D. Gee	Waccamaw High	Georgetown	10th-12th- CP Biology,Aquatic Biology, Biology
Janet M. Hayden	Batesburg-Leesville Middle	Lexington	7th - Life Science
Regina A. Henson	Lugoff Elementary	Kershaw	3rd - All Subjects
Lisa E. Ipock	Educational Assemtent Ctr.	Richland	5th - 9th - Math and Science
Tammy M. Jackson	Berkley Intermediate	Berkley	4th - All Subjects
Gwen Lawrimore	Beck Middle School	Georgetown	6th - 8th - Gifted & Talented
Chris Lowery	Berkley Intermediate	Berkley	4th - All Subjects
Tonia Mackey	A.C. Corcoran	Charleston	K-4th - All Subjects
Bobbie McElveen	Briggs Elementary	Florence	K-3rd - All Subjects
Nora E. Phillips	Rosemary Middle School	Georgetown	6th-8th- Gifted & Talented
Joann Poore	St. James Elementary	Horry	5th - All subjects
Gina Smith	Oakbrook Elementary	Dorchester	4th - All subjects
Nancy H. Thompson	Sumter High School	Sumter	9th - 12th - Env. Science Biology, Applied Biology
Susan Ward	Daisy Elementary	Horry	5th - All Subjects
Debra C. Wilson	School at New Directions	Richland	Middle/High - Math & Science

MANY THANKS TO THOSE WHO PARTICIPATED AND CONTRIBUTED TO MAKE THIS A SUCCESSFUL, EDUCATIONAL, AND REWARDING ADVENTURE.

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