Source: NCDA&CS, 10/12/11

The N.C. Forest Service is partnering with the N.C. Urban Forest Council, Asheville Greenworks and Biltmore Estate to host the North Carolina Urban Wood Conference on Friday, Oct. 21.

The conference will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. at Lioncrest on the Biltmore Estate, the birthplace of modern forestry.

“This is a very important gathering for the emerging North Carolina urban forest products industry that has been forming over the last couple of years in the Asheville area,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler.

Urban forest product business owners, urban foresters, arborists, educa¬tors, urban forest researchers and advocates are invited tomeet for the first time to promote the further growth and development of thisindustry in North Carolina and to set an agenda for the formation of theUrban Forest Products Association of North Carolina.

The N.C. Forest Service has put together a collection of speakers from across the nation who represent top leaders in urban wood utilization. Speakers will discuss the industry’s most critical issues including new business formation, certification of urban forest products, and how community and governmental organizations can support the further development of the industry throughout North Carolina.
Registration fee is $75 and includes refreshments and lunch.

On Saturday, Oct. 22, the Asheville Chamber is hosting a Wood Day in its lower parking lot from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. so the public can see how urban wood can be processed into useful products instead of being taken to the landfill or chip mill. There will also be portable wood mills operating during the event. The second day of the conference is free and open to the public. The Visitor Center/Chamber of Commerce park¬ing lot is located at 33 Montford Ave., Asheville.

To register or learn more about the conference, go to www.ashevillegreenworks.org/urban-wood/. Information is also available by calling Eric Muecke, urban forester with the N.C. Forest Service, at (828) 438-3795, ext. 205.