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Sierra Club - Cherokee Group
The Hawthorne Pollinator Patch sits at the Hawthorne Road entrance to the South Chickamauga Creek Greenway. Come help us clean up this awesome area on December 10!
Visit the City of Chattanooga Park Stewards website to learn more and to sign up.
Brianna Williams - NOOGAtoday
(Image: NOOGAtoday)
A recent CIVIQ Lecture Series, put on by the Chattanooga Design Studio, started a conversation on urban agriculture and local food system planning in Chattanooga — and NOOGAtoday is bringing the conversation to you all, so that you can join in.
While the lecture series didn't necessarily end with a "what's next," it opened a door to discussion — Let's keep it going.
A weekly roundup of nature-related odds and ends from the region and beyond.
(Photo: Stophered/TGLC)
Conservation organizations throughout the Southeast face challenges unlike those in the rest of the country. Simply put, there’s too much at risk here to lose. For decades, TennGreen Land Conservancy has embarked on a mission to conserve land where people and nature can thrive.
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In the United States, more than 59 million people feed birds around the home. So how does this significant source of food affect North American birds? Researchers used citizen science data provided through NestWatch to examine the effect of feeding on some of the most common feeder birds.
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(Photo: US Dept. of Interior)
The Partners for Fish and Wildlife program is a highly successful program that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service implements to support landowners in their voluntary efforts to conserve wildlife habitat. Through the program, the Service offers financial and technical assistance to interested landowners and helps keep working lands in working hands. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently announced that in 2020, more than 2,000 new landowners enrolled in the program, and nearly 285,000 private landowner acres were restored. Since the program’s start in 1987, more than 50,000 landowners have worked with Partners for Fish and Wildlife biologists to complete 60,000 habitat restoration projects across 6 million acres. This program reflects a guiding principle of America the Beautiful to support the voluntary stewardship efforts of ranchers, farmers, and other private landowners.
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Ending too many hikes with sore, wobbly legs? Trekking poles can help you make it that extra mile.
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The Bureau of Economic Analysis has released economic data for 2020 on outdoor recreation’s powerful and positive economic impact on the U.S. economy today. These new numbers show outdoor recreation generates $688 billion in economic output, comprises 3% of U.S. employees and creates 4.3 million jobs.
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Compiled by Bob Butters
Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center
(Photo: RRA&NC)
Recently, Reflection Riding's Land Conservation team worked to restore some of the ponds at the Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center with native plants. A team of staff and volunteers added the amazing, aquatic Golden Club plant (Orontium aquaticum). By introducing this new native, they hope to reduce erosion along the banks of the ponds and benefit wildlife. This plant is great for aquatic critters, pollinators and other insects, which are attracted to the inflorescence. Stop by and take a look next time you’re out for a walk!
Tennessee State Parks
(Image: TN State Parks)
Spend Black Friday giving thanks outdoors at Tennessee State Parks. Whether you join one of our After Thanksgiving Guided Hikes or embark on a self-guided adventure, our parks are here for you.
Sign up for a free After Thanksgiving Day guided hike at one of our parks.
You don’t have to join us for a guided hike to enjoy the outdoors during the holiday. Find the perfect park for you.
If you decided to visit, please practice responsible recreation. Our toolkit offers everything from responsible recreation tips to Instagram stickers.
Friends of South Cumberland
The Sewanee Natural Bridge. (Photo: Bob Butters)
THIS MONTH, we visit Lost Cove North. At this trailhead you’ll find the Sewanee Natural Bridge, only a few hundred feet from the parking area. A masterpiece of Mother Nature’s handiwork, the 27-foot-tall natural bridge has been artfully weathered from solid sandstone by water, seeping from the bluff; and by winds coming up from the valley below. This “bridge” started out being part of the bluff-line, but over time, the entire rock formation has migrated away from the bluff, slowly sliding downhill. The unusual nature of the Natural Bridge made is a popular tourist attraction, beginning in the 1870s, when the nearby University of the South was founded.
Brianna Williams - NOOGAtoday
Stone Bridge pillars visible from the greenway that predate the Civil War and were burned by the retreating Confederate troops after the Battle of Missionary Ridge. (Photo: NOOGAtoday)
Chattanoogans have something beyond a fresh year to look forward to in 2022 — if all goes as planned, the new year will bring the completion of a local trail that’s over 20 years in the making.
The South Chickamauga Creek Greenway has been in the works by the Trust for Public Land since 1994, and we got a sneak peek of the trail’s newer portions ahead of its completion to share with you.
A weekly roundup of nature-related odds and ends from the region and beyond.
Funny and super informative, Nature’s News Desk talks about trees (of course!) and why keeping our forests standing is one of the best things we can do to face the climate crisis. Tune in as Dogwood Alliance’s Program Director Adam Colette walks you through different topics and debunks myths and misinformation about protecting forests.
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Representatives make the most of this opportunity to fund wildlife crossings, public land access, and natural infrastructure solutions that benefit habitat and American communities.
We share our planet with millions of species of plants and wildlife. Now more than ever, we understand that our choices can have major impacts on other species. Luckily, you can make a huge difference in a couple of simple (but effective) steps!
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Are you interested in helping conserve Tennessee's irreplaceable landscapes? Land Trust for Tennessee is currently seeking talented and passionate individuals to join their team.
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Clint and Dawson recently sat down with Will Skelton. Will is an author, a conservationist, a champion for our public lands and has a lifetime of adventure and travel.
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Compiled by Bob Butters
Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center
(Photo: RRANC)
The term “native” is frequently used in regard to plants, but what exactly does it mean - and how does it differ from the term “endemic” plant? John Manion, our Arboretum Curator, explains the difference in a recent article. He also shares an example of a plant that’s both native and endemic to our area, the Tennessee coneflower.
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(Photo: RRANC)
That leaf litter in your yard is more valuable than you may realize. One of our nursery volunteers, Jonathan Wilson, wrote an article about the importance of leaf litter, which is also known as soil litter, tree litter, duff, or litter fall. Whatever you call it, don’t rake, blow, or bag it!
Those leaves provide excellent protection for slugs, snails, worms, centipedes and millipedes, spiders, beetles, and even bats and small mammals. Plus, birds can use the duff for nesting material and enjoy snacking on the critters living in it. Anywhere that you might add mulch, add leaf litter instead. It can improve the soil, as well as the health and growth of any plant. Being mindful of what you add to and take away from your garden is a great way to help your environment, your community, and your family.