PENNSYLVANIA — Recognizing when an information technology issue creates obstacles is easy. The real challenge comes in finding a solution to overcome the obstacles when you do not have IT expertise. 

Personnel at the Grey Towers National Historic Site experienced this challenge just a few years ago. Their internet was slow and the teleconferencing hardware was outdated, and insufficient for providing quality training experience for both on-site and remote attendees.

“It really wasn’t that functional,” said Joe Koloski, director of Grey Towers. “We made it work, but it wasn’t ideal for a place that aims to be a center of excellence for training and leadership development. The technology was not up to the same level of excellence.”

About two years ago, the Forest Service Chief Information Office began the work of fixing those two basic problems at Grey Towers. The upgrades completed to date have made a big difference, enhancing the site’s ability to support training and conferences, both on-site and remotely. 

“We’re not always doing the on-site work per se, but we’re looking out for our customers,” said Deni Sullivan, CIO IT Service Integration branch chief. “That often means making sure our contractors and service providers are meeting the needs of Forest Service sites.”

Grey Towers is the former Pennsylvania home of the Pinchot family. An early leader in the conservation movement, Gifford Pinchot went learned scientific forestry in Europe and brought that knowledge back to the United States, eventually becoming the first chief of the Forest Service. 

But the site is not only a monument to the past.

“The mission of Grey Towers is to perpetuate the conservation legacy of Gifford Pinchot and the Pinchot family,” said Koloski. “And make sure that legacy of forward-thinking conservation continues into future generations.”

Ensuring that continuation means the primary focus of Grey Towers is education, whether that is training the next generation of Forest Service leaders or working with state and private forestry or conservation groups.

To meet that mission, the historic location needed a faster fiber optic connection, as well as the necessary equipment to take advantage of the increase in internet speed. It also needed to be ready for the switch to USDANet, a modernized network that will serve all 17 U.S. Department of Agriculture agencies. The site also needed new teleconferencing equipment that not only provided the capabilities Grey Towers required but could also be compatible with security requirements. And it all had to be installed without compromising the integrity of the historical preservation of the site.

With the work finally done, holding a hybrid event is no longer a struggle.

“We have the big screen at the front of the room, it’s got integrated cameras that track and follow, and voice optimization for the microphones,” said Koloski. “We can have that truly seamless hybrid interaction.”

The new upgrades mean remotely participating in training at Grey Towers is easier now. But just because they have the capability does not mean a teleconference is the ideal way to experience training at Grey Towers. Joey Jones, CIO Enterprise Content Management branch chief, said his visit to the site helped him understand the significance of the location—and its purpose.

“It puts you more in touch with the Forest Service mission,” said Jones. “You understand the history of the site and our founder.”