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Posted by Bob Butters at Nooga.com
A black bear tagged and collared as part of a research project. (Photo: Billy Pope/ADCNR)
You can now add Jackson County, Alabama, along with Limestone, Marshall, Morgan and St. Clair Counties to the growing list of black bear sightings in Alabama in 2018. These recent sightings are more evidence of the state's expanding black bear population.
By Mark Pace at Chattanooga Times Free Press
North Chickamauga Creek Conservancy Executive Director Tim Laramore, center, and The Land Trust for Tennessee Conservation Project Manager Rachael Bergmann hike along the land below W Road on Tuesday, June 19, 2018 in Signal Mountain, TN. (Photo: C.B. Schmelter)
Hamilton County commissioners recently voted unanimously to allow the county mayor to accept at a future date a tract of land from the North Chickamauga Creek Conservancy to be used as a county park.
The property sits between the W Road atop Signal Mountain and Mountain Creek Road below and adjoins the former Quarry Golf Course. It is being developed by a coalition of nonprofit groups to create the first property in the county with downhill mountain biking, bouldering, hiking and potentially 200 acres of green space.
Posted by Bob Butters at Nooga.com
Mary Priestley (third from left) provides musical entertainment at the opening of a new addition to South Cumberland State Park. (Photo: Bob Butters)
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation recently recognized two individuals and four entities at the Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Awards. The annual ceremony also honored nine entities announced in May for their environmental achievements.
Mary Priestley, a volunteer at South Cumberland State Park, and Dr. Larry W. Moore, of the University of Memphis, were both presented with the Robert Sparks Walker Lifetime Achievement Award.
Posted by Bob Butters at Nooga.com.
A water hyacinth. (Photo: Contributed)
Water hyacinth is an aquatic plant native to the Amazon basin. It’s often a highly problematic invasive species when found outside its native range. Last year, the TVA found water hyacinth in a slough near Scottsboro. TVA quickly partnered with the State of Alabama, bringing experts from both sides to start addressing the invasive water weed.
From Friends of South Cumberland
(Photo: Friends of South Cumberland)
A common question South Cumberland State Park Rangers get is "Do you have bears?" ... and the answer is...YES! While we don't have a large population, we do have black bears in the area. This one was spotted on Rt. 399, right outside the Savage Gulf Ranger Station.
So when you camp or hike at our park, please take extra precautions with your food. If you're camping, hang your food and anything that smells like food about 200 feet from your campsite and at least 12 feet off the ground. NEVER sleep with food in your tent. Bears aren't the only critters known for trying to get to a camper's food (here's looking at you, Mister Raccoon!).
If you're hiking, and a bear has discovered your lunch is in your backpack, Let The Bear Eat It! Your backpack can be replaced -- You Can't! PLEASE, DO NOT APPROACH A BEAR UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES!
These beautiful creatures are wild animals and can be dangerous if they feel threatened, or are protecting their young. Admire from a distance if you happen to see one, but for your safety, please don't approach!
From Nooga.com
Lula Lake. (Photo: Bob Butters)
Lula Lake Land Trust, along with Above the Ridge Outfitters, presents Hike, Bike and Brew on July 21 from 4 to 8 p.m. According to a news release, the "unique beer festival allows you to hike or bike eight miles of scenic trails to visit beer stations positioned throughout the property."
By Savannah Bennett at Nooga.com
Horseback riders at Enterprise South Nature Park. (Photo: Contributed)
Hamilton County Parks and Recreation has opened a new horse trail, which officials hope becomes a regional destination for the public, at Enterprise South Nature Park. The completion of the Summit Knobs Equestrian Trail means that part of the 2005 vision for Enterprise South Nature Park has come to fruition, officials said.
Posted by Bob Butters at Nooga.com
A scene in the Big Bottom area of the Dry Creek Headwaters property. (Photo: Tom Wood)
The Tennessee Parks & Greenways Foundation (TennGreen), in partnership with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, has announced the perpetual protection of Dry Creek Headwaters - a 582-acre property in the Mid-Cumberland Wilderness Conservation Corridor of Scott's Gulf. Acquisition of the tract allows TDEC and TWRA to trade management of the lands between Lost Creek State Natural Area and Virgin Falls State Natural Area, offering a promising location for a hiking trail to connect the two iconic destinations.
By Logan Garrett at Nooga.com
TVA conducts a yearly count of the gray bat population in Nickajack Cave. (Photo: Contributed)
Every night, tens of thousands of endangered gray bats emerge from Nickajack Cave, serving as a glimmer of hope for the mammal's survival while many other bat species are experiencing the catastrophic effects of white-nose syndrome. The Tennessee Valley Authority conducts a yearly count of the gray bat population in Nickajack Cave, and this year the group tallied over 72,000 gray bats, which is 2,000 more than the previous year but below the highest count of over 100,000.