All Things Appalachia speaker series: Pisgah Map Company

“For the love of maps and the great outdoors: Pisgah Map Company”

Join us at the local library for an immersive journey into the world of maps created by Pisgah Map Company for the picturesque landscapes of Western North Carolina. This presentation is a captivating blend of passion for the great outdoors, conservation, recreation, exploration, and the art of cartography.

Discover the dedication and expertise that goes into crafting these unique maps, showcasing the natural beauty and hidden gems of the Appalachian Mountains. Through their maps, Pisgah Map Company tells stories about the places we love, helping people connect with these cherished locations. Whether you’re an avid hiker, biker, nature enthusiast, or simply curious about the intersection of art and geography, this event promises to inspire your sense of adventure and appreciation for the maps that connect us to the heart of Western North Carolina. Don’t miss this opportunity to explore the world of Pisgah Map Company and their love for the land through cartography.

Presenter Bio: Pete Kennedy

Pete Kennedy got hooked on exploring the mountains of North Carolina at an early age and has used almost every available map to do so. His passion for maps traces back to childhood, as his father would frequently unfurl them to intricately plan family vacations or guide them on journeys. This sparked a lifelong fascination with the art of cartography. He holds a BS in Recreation Resource Management and a MS in Forest Ecology from Clemson University where he blended his love for the outdoors into his educational path of Natural Resource Management. He long dreamed of “making a better map” of the special places he loves, and finally embarked on the endeavor in 2009. Pete has also been teaching Geospatial Technologies for 23 years and is currently the Department Chair of the Computer Technologies Department at A-B Tech in Asheville.

Presenter Bio: Jack Henderson

Jack has lived and worked in Western North Carolina since 2010. Following degrees in Geography, GIS, and Recreation Management from Appalachian State University, he has worked with national and regional nonprofits on projects focused on outdoor recreation, public land management, private land protection, volunteer coordination, water quality monitoring, stream restoration, and river management. Cartography has been a throughline in all of this work, blending his experience with land and water, and exploration thereof, with the art and science of geospatial mapping. Jack’s “day job” is managing the French Broad Paddle Trail through the local nonprofit MountainTrue, but enjoys making maps with Pisgah Map Company whenever time allows.

All Things Appalachia is a monthly program series at the Transylvania County Library exploring the people, natural world, culture, and history of the southern Appalachian region.  Presenters include experts in the fields of history, ecology, outdoor recreation, and more.   The programs are on the first Thursday evening of most months at 6:30 pm in the Rogow Room.  Each program lasts approximately one hour. These free programs are supported by the Friends of the Library