Blue Ridge Country July/August 2021 - 49

down by the creek, it was just a place to
play. I wasn't really trying to understand
the environment that I was in. I think it's
important now for our youth to be able
to understand that water doesn't come
from the tap. In most cases, it's coming
from the national forest. "
It's taken him a while to adjust to the
top leadership role, he admits. " In most
of the jobs I had, I was the advisor. In
this position, I am the decision-maker. I
had to learn to transition from advising
to being advised, as well as learning the
different issues here in Tennessee and
the terrain. "
ABOVE: JaSal Morris hosts a Cherokee National Forest field trip.
FACING PAGE: Morris, forest supervisor for Tennessee's Cherokee National Forest, says that
Cherokee has more biodiversity along the Conasauga River than some larger rivers out west.
he assumed the post of forest supervisor
for the linear, 656,000-acre Cherokee
National Forest, the largest single tract
of public land in Tennessee and home
to more than 600 miles of trails and 500
miles of cold-water streams.
One of his goals is to bring back native
animals, wildflowers and trees, such
as the shortleaf pine, that have been
eclipsed by invasive species. Another
is strengthening partnerships and collaborations,
including a recent one with
other state agencies and shareholders to
revive whitewater racing on the Ocoee
River, site of the 1996 Summer Olympic
canoe and kayak competition.
Another project close to his heart is
introducing educational nature activities
for underserved youth, such as snorkeling
in the Conasauga River.
" It has more biodiversity in that
stretch than some of your larger rivers
out west, " Morris says. " There are a lot of
darters, drums and other fish. When my
nieces and nephews would come up for
their spring or summer break [when they
were little], we'd go out there. "
Helping kids appreciate their natural
surroundings isn't just fun, he notes. It's
essential.
" Even though I grew up in a rural area,
even though I was out in the woods and
Morris encourages young people interested
in forestry careers to think big.
" A lot of times, particularly African
Americans are thinking about agriculture
and they don't want to return to
that time [in history]. But there are great
opportunities within the agency: wildlife
biology, engineering. We can always use
civil engineers. We're always hiring new
firefighters. That is a great career for folks
that want to do something a little bit different,
to see the country.
" Be open to being mobile, " he advises
job-seeking youth. " Don't limit yourself
to one spot. The Forest Service is really
focusing on having an organization that
is diverse and inclusive that looks more
like the America that we serve. And the
only way that we can do that is to have a
diversity of folks with an interest in serving
their country through the Forest Service.
If you want opportunities that can
take you all over the country through
your career, this is the place to be. "
JASAL MORRIS'S 3 (MAKE THAT 4) FAVORITE SPOTS
IN THE CHEROKEE NATIONAL FOREST
➻ Bald River Falls, Tellico Ranger District. " Anytime I'm in that district, I make my way out there to the falls.
That water is a beautiful sight. ... The sound of water and watching water move is just something that I enjoy. "
➻ Ocoee Whitewater Center. " I like seeing the usage of that area, the whitewater rafting. A lot of people go
there, and they get the drop [in the rapids] called Humongous. And when they do, they come flying out of the raft.
... Sometimes I'll go to the Whitewater Center, sit up on the second floor in a rocking chair, and see people out
there rocking and taking a nap. "
➻ Paint Creek Corridor, Unaka Ranger District. " It's a beautiful area with the river going through there. It
gets a lot of camping and visitation. "
➻ Watauga Lake. " It's just a beautiful open area near the Appalachian Trail. " -NH
JULY/AUGUST 2021 49

Blue Ridge Country July/August 2021

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