From a press release

The U.S. Forest Service National Forests in North Carolina, The Wilderness Society and Southern Appalachian Wilderness Stewards will present 'Our Past and Future in Wilderness: An evening of inspiration' on Wednesday, May 23 at the Transylvania Public Library. The doors open at 6:00 p.m., with the program beginning at 7:00 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

The special event is designed for those who appreciate the natural beauty found in local public lands with a focus on designated Wilderness areas. The program will provide the history of the Wilderness Act of 1964, the history of Wilderness designation in the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests, and a look to the future of Wilderness management. The featured speaker for the program is Doug Scott, author of "The Enduring Wilderness" and "Our Wilderness, America's Common Ground."

Following his presentation, Doug Scott will participate in an interactive panel discussion with Jimmy Gaudry, Wilderness and Wild and Scenic River program leader for the U.S. Forest Service Southern Region; Jennifer Frick-Rupert, professor of Biology and Environmental Sciences, Brevard College; and Robert Johnson, accomplished painter of Southern Appalachian landscapes. The panel will explore the idea of Wilderness from an ecological, cultural and aesthetic perspective while also discussing Wilderness management from the present into the future. Audience participation will be encouraged.

Bill Hodge, director of The Wilderness Society's Southern Appalachian Wilderness Stewards (SAWS) program, will also present on the public's role in caring for public lands. For more information, contact Bill Hodge at bill_hodge@tws.org or 865-617-4804

The four national forests in North Carolina include 11 wilderness areas, totaling more than 100,000 acres. Within the Tarheel State's borders are the Nantahala, Pisgah, Uwharrie, and Croatan National Forests, which encompass 1.25 million acres.