Smoky Mountain News

From plant identification to map reading to fly fishing to canoeing, the Cradle of Forestry is encouraging Americans to enjoy the outdoors with “National Get Outdoors Day” on Saturday, June 9.

The free event will feature a line-up of outdoor skills demonstrations, hands-on activities and crafts in just about all manner of outdoor pursuits — including adventure sports, traditional sportsmanship, and camp and trail skills.

The festivities will include:

• Fly fishing and fly tying demonstrations with Trout Unlimited and the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education.

• Archery with Heritage Outdoors and the N.C. Bowhunters Association.

• Still-water paddling with canoes and kayaks taught by Headwaters Outfitters.

• Biking techniques and maintenance with The Hub and Sycamore Cycles.

• Interactive camping displays and knot tying instruction with REI.

• Map and compass skills with Muddy Sneakers naturalists.

• Demonstration of Leave-No-Trace principles.

• Ethnobotany walk will teach plant identification and historical uses.

• Interactive camping displays.

• Outdoors-inspired crafts.

• Music program, “Songs of the Big Outdoors.”

• An appearance from Smokey Bear.

National Get Outdoors Day is a campaign that encourages Americans to seek out healthy and active outdoor lifestyles, to connect with nature and embrace public lands. The Cradle of Forestry in America has been designated as one of eight Signature Sites from across the country for 2012.

The Forest Service has an ongoing commitment of engaging children to nature in support of President Obama’s America’s Great Outdoors initiative and the First Lady’s Let’s Move! campaign.

Located on U.S. 276 four miles off the Blue Ridge Parkway.

828.877.3130 or www.cradleofforestry.org.