The Nickajack Naturalist

Downtown Appalachia: Reimagining Rural Connections

Mark Engler - TRV Stewardship Council

                                                     (Photo: Tennessee River Valley Stewardship Council)

Recognition continues growing in small-town America that outdoor recreation is a creative revitalizing force for local economies and downtown businesses districts.

 

That expanding appreciation is accompanied by an upbeat and infectious optimism in Southern Appalachia’s rural heartland as out-of-the-way places once considered distressed, depressed, or boring backwaters are becoming destination locations for urban escapists and fervent recreation enthusiasts.  

 

Read more.

Website Update from the Nickajack Naturalist

Last month I promised an update in January on the development of the new website. Well, things have been a bit slow getting underway again due to the enormous undertaking of the previously mentioned move. We've finally gotten all moved from the old location, but there remains a tremendous amount of work to be done in getting things set up at the new place. So, for the near-term, web operations will continue to be a bit slow in getting back up to speed. 

Meanwhile, I've resumed publication of new posts on the Nickajack Naturalist blog, although I'm temporarily suspending the Sunday Naturalist Afield feature in order to free up some time for more urgent tasks. I intend to continue working on the development of the Cumberland Trekker Outdoor Adventure Guide as I get the time, and to launch the new Cumberland Naturalist website sometime in the next few months. 

So, thanks for bearing with me and stay tuned for more announcements to come.

Bob Butters - The Nickajck Naturalist

 

 

Legal Conservation of Reflection Riding Property Complete

Jeff Geunther - Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center

                                                                                                      (Photo: Jeff Geunther)

New Year… big news! Several months ago, we told you that, in partnership with the American Battlefield Trust and the City of Chattanooga, we planned to place a conservation easement on our entire property to legally protect the campus permanently, for our community. We worked hard with our partners to close this historic conservation easement at the tail end of 2021, and we are really excited about it! Along with our Framework for the Future, this easement envisions Reflection Riding’s future as a key community asset.

Learn more.

Cumberland Trails Conference Names New Executive Director

Cumberland Trails Conference news release

The Cumberland Trails Conference (CTC), headquartered in Crossville, TN, has a new executive director. Mike Croley began his work with the CTC on January 3rd. Croley brings leadership experience as a naval officer, technical expertise as an engineer and service as a ranger with Tennessee State Parks.

The Kentucky native attended Vanderbilt on a US Navy ROTC scholarship, was captivated by the hills and vistas of eastern Tennessee and vowed to return at his first opportunity. The avid outdoorsman welcomed the opportunity to become a park ranger after 10 years with the US Navy and six years in the private sector. “The opportunity to join the CT came about and I jumped on it,” Croley said. “I am honored to be the executive director of the Cumberland Trails Conference and I look forward to carrying on the tradition of excellence that has been laid before me.”

Croley joins the CTC as it continues its mission to complete the Cumberland Trail. The long-distance hiking trail was designated a Tennessee state park in 1998; when complete it will reach from the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park to Signal Point in southern Hamilton County. The Cumberland Trail currently has 245 miles open for hiking. The trail building crew from the nonprofit CTC is currently working in Rhea County along the Piney River. Volunteers can join in that effort on February 11-12; contact the CTC at ctcoffice2914@gmail.com for details.

TVA Biologists Hook 53-Inch Lake Sturgeon

Tennessee Valley Authority

                                                                                                                     (Photo: TVA)

TVA biologists landed a number of lake sturgeon on a set of trotlines near Kingston Fossil Plant as part of an annual sturgeon survey designed to monitor and map the overall health of the fishes in the Tennessee River. The native species was overfished and vanished from the Tennessee in the 1950s.

Today, lake sturgeon are being reintroduced through a multi-agency, 30-year partnership involving the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, TVA, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, Tennessee Aquarium, University of Tennessee and multiple other stakeholders.

Read more.

 

Gov. Lee Heads Grand Opening of Lodge at Fall Creek Falls State Park

Tennessee Dept. of Environment & Conservation

                                                 (Image: TN State Parks)

Gov. Bill Lee recently led the grand opening of the highly anticipated Lodge at Fall Creek Falls, a $40.4 million, 85-room hotel with conference space and a full-service restaurant and lounge at Fall Creek Falls State Park.

“This new lodge is an outstanding attraction at a premier state park,” Lee said. “It’s an example of why Tennessee has one of the best state parks systems in America. We are eager to welcome the many visitors who will stay at the lodge and continue to make Fall Creek Falls State Park a year-round destination.”

Read more.

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Tennessee Sandhill Crane Festival Set for Jan. 15-16

The Chattanoogan

                                                                                              (Photo: The Chattanoogan)

The 31st edition of the annual Tennessee Sandhill Crane Festival is set for Jan. 15-16 (Saturday-Sunday) at the Hiwassee Refuge and Birchwood Community Center.

Due to COVID-19 concerns, extra precautions have been made resulting in reduced indoor functions. There will be two short presentations by the American Eagle Foundation each day at the community center and there will be no other entertainment or presentations as in past years. There will be limited vendors and food service will be available each day beginning at 7 a.m. The main focus of this year’s festival is simply enjoying the sandhill cranes and spending time outdoors.

Read more.

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More information from TWRA.

The Naturalist Afield - 1-9-2022

A weekly roundup of nature-related odds and ends from the region and beyond.

            (Photo: JAG IMAGES / DigitalVision via Getty)

• The Hike Forever Fitness Plan   Backpacker

Hiking isn't just for the young. Take care of yourself and your body, and you can spend the rest of your life on the trail. It helps to have a plan: Avoid injuries and stay strong with this age-group-by-age-group guide to trail fitness. 

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• Frist and Backer: Fighting Climate Change Should Hit Home for Tennesseans   Bill Frist and Benji Backer, Guest Columnists - Knoxville News Sentinel

"Instead of trying to score political points on the issue, our goal is to energize and engage Tennessee communities to take pride in preserving the beauty and natural resources of the Volunteer State."

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• Leave No Trace - Making a Difference on TVA Public Lands   Tennessee Valley Authority

The principles of “Leave No Trace” have been available to campers and visitors for a long time, and just following these simple principles makes a world of difference in how campsites and other public lands appear to their visitors. Littering and illegal dumping don’t just look bad, they create health hazards for both animals and people.

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• 10 Conservation Wins in 2021   Kristyn Brady - Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership

From conserving migration corridors to enhancing private land habitat, public support helped to make these organizational and legislative successes possible. Here's a run through of TRCP's proudest achievements from the past year.

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                     (Photo: Adobe Stock / Dogwood Alliance)

• Why Conservation Matters to Conservatives   Nataly Perez Manrique - Dogwood Alliance

The climate crisis is an urgent issue that’s threatening everybody’s environment, economy, and national security. We must bring conservatives and progressives together to enact solutions. A survey found that 86% of Americans, regardless of their political affiliation, support the idea of setting a national goal of protecting 30% of America’s lands and oceans by 2030. It’s urgent that we make the environment a bipartisan priority.

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Compiled by Bob Butters

‘Tis the Season for Wintertime Birdwatching

Hudson Jones - TRV Stewardship Council

Birders at Lake Guntersville State Park.    (Photo: TRV Stewardship Counsel)

Many avian species make their way through the Tennessee River Valley as autumn turns to winter. The flight plans of migratory waterfowl include extended layovers in the wetlands and reservoirs throughout the Valley.  

 

The haunting call of the loon, the majesty of eagles in flight, or the hunting skill of pelicans draw birding enthusiasts to the region. Equally inspiring is the gathering of Sandhill Cranes on the reservations at Yuchi, Joe Wheeler, and Hiwassee. Winter is the prime season to see this massive gathering of cranes. 

 

Read more.

Connect South Pittsburg Conducts Outdoor Recreation Survey

SPARQ South Pittsburg

The South Pittsburg Riverpark.                                        (Photo: Bob Butters)

With over 370 surveys submitted and more than 1,000 visitors to the project website, the CONNECT South Pittsburg project is off to an encouraging start. By completing our community survey, South Pittsburg area residents are helping shape this project and ensuring that South Pittsburg will continue to be a place that people love.

• See the survey results.

Over the next few months, the design team will explore potential park designs and possible layouts for the bicycle and pedestrian network. We welcome you to check out the project website for the survey results, progress updates, and any additional information about upcoming community events. Feel free to send questions or comments through the project website or to info@connectsouthpittsburg.com.