Environmental Education Coordinator Matt Schnabel manned shared information about Forestry Commission programs and services.
The Clemson Cooperative Extension 4-H Natural Resources program hosted Forest Fest March 29 at the Clemson Experimental Forest (CEF) where members of the community could enjoy the forest and learn about natural resource programs and management. The 17,500 acre CEF is a public, working forest “used to meet current teaching, research and public-oriented needs and held in trust to meet the needs of future generations.” At the event, Environmental Education Coordinator Matt Schnabel manned an exhibit and shared information about programs and services of the Forestry Commission including wildfire safety and prevention.
The public was especially interested in the status of the Table Rock Fire Complex. Since all local SCFC resources were either working on the fire or had been recently released (Matt was released from the fire that morning), no fire suppression unit was available to display. However, the CEF provided its own unit at the event along with staff member and wildland firefighter Franklin “Red” Reynolds so people could better understand how wildfires are managed. Attendees had the opportunity to sit inside the cab of the CEF’s dozer and learn how it’s operated.
Thanks to Clemson University Cooperative Extension and 4-H Natural Resources Program Director Patricia Whitener for the opportunity to educate the public about the SCFC and show how we protect our shared forest resources.