Campus Facilities
The Landmark Learning base facility is located on 30 acres of recovering southeast hardwood forested mountainside, with 3 clear springs, 800' of creek frontage, and a plethora of wildlife. Located up a "holler" Landmark is not far from the towns of Sylva and Cullowhee, so students can get away after class to clear their heads, grab some food in town, and hit the Jackson County Rec Centerl. Trail running, mountain biking, and nature walking can occur right from our doorstep. The Tuckasegee River, the Slab, the Nantahala River, Whitesides Mountain, and Panthertown Valley are all easily accessible after class or during course breaks on our longer programs.
Landmark Learning was built from the ground up with the outdoor professional in mind, and its rustic foundation is complimented with modern amenities. Landmark’s 1200 square foot classroom is the first building you encounter as you walk onto the property. It houses an open floor, two bathrooms, showers, and rudimentary kitchen access (refrigerator, microwave, toaster oven) for student use. The classroom is open 24 hours a day while your course is going on. A pavilion is available for outdoor cooking – most students bring camp stoves to cook on and crates in which to store their dry goods. Around back, by the gear room, is an outdoor clean-up and recycle station.
Next to the classroom is the Cane Creek House, a 1920’s cabin which has recently been renovated to host Landmark’s main office. Student check-in, tuition or paperwork can be turned here. Any administrative needs are handled by our support staff within regular business hours.
Wireless access is available at and near the classroom if you bring your own laptop. Wireless access is not highspeed and sometimes is difficult to access due to our location and provider options. Generally, cell phone reception is spotty but Verizon seems to work consistently well and we can point out the hotspots on the deck and lawn where other providers seem to connect well. Please plan on times outside of class to communicate via email and phone. A list of local places that provide wireless internet can be found on our 'Resources for Students Staying at Landmark' page.
The Basecamp:
Primitive camping space is available for a fee and is located near the classroom and parking area. You will need to provide all your own camping gear (tent, sleeping pad, sleeping bag, etc). There are between eight to ten spaces available for backpacking tents so please sign up for space prior to your course. We ask that you use a tent no greater in size then a two-person tent to ensure enough space for others. We do not provide space for RV's or pull behind campers. We do have some sheltered camping options, as well - please inquire when you register. Shower, bathroom and kitchen needs are available at the base (see above).
Additional lodging beyond our facilities can be found on our 'Resources for Students Staying at Landmark' page.
The Land:
The property that Landmark Learning occupies has been designated with a Steward Forest plan in efforts to enhance its land health and promote ecological studies in our area. Naturalists agree that the rich biological diversity makes this one of the best regions in the world for outdoor research. Current trail-building programs and partnerships with conservation groups are in full swing, and we are able to swap programs for service with volunteer and service groups.
In the summer of 2000 as an internship for a student from Penn State, the newly purchased property was explored, the boundary line rediscovered and marked, and the study for its Forest designation begun. A number of Foresters were consulted to evaluate the health of the land and its potential future uses. When we met one who said "not good for timbering" we asked him to elaborate and design a 20-year plan for our land management, and forest habitat and health enhancement. The Landmark Steward Forest was designated in 2001.
Each year the plan is reevaluated and an additional year is tacked onto the end. To date we have surpassed our land management expectations and are ahead of schedule. Landmark now has the beginnings of an extensive trail system in place. The recent devastation of the southern pine beetle (2004) and our subsequent tree felling has enhanced the ground cover and soil. Brush piles built from the piney boughs are protection for our wild birds and ground animals.
