Sustainable Forests

The Living Woods of Appalachia

Step into a woodland indoors, where towering trunks, leafy canopies, and the scent of pine invite you to wander and wonder. This exhibit celebrates the forests of Northern Appalachia — not just as wild beauty, but as carefully balanced ecosystems that humans and wildlife depend on.

Meet the Native Trees

Hemlock, white pine, sugar maple, red oak, and black cherry — the backbone of our Appalachian forests. Touch bark samples, compare leaf shapes, and discover how each tree cleans air, shades soil, and creates homes for wildlife.

The Story of Forestry

Once, clear-cutting nearly emptied these hills. Today, foresters use science and care to balance timber, wildlife, and recreation. Try the logging puzzles to see why selective harvesting and replanting keep our forests healthy.

Forest Life Up Close

Peek into hollow logs and discovery drawers to find seeds, nuts, salamanders, and squirrels. Every tree is its own neighborhood, full of creatures and secrets waiting to be uncovered.

Hands-On Sustainability

Take the role of a forester! Spin the forest-management dial and see what happens if you cut too much, plant too little, or forget about wildlife. Balance is the key to keeping forests alive.

Whispers of the Woods

Listen for the sounds of wind, birds, and a carved “forest spirit” sharing Appalachian wisdom: “The forest is not just ours to use — it’s ours to keep for those who come next.”