The Nickajack Naturalist

State Put on 60-Day Notice of Lawsuit Over Plans to Raze Hardwoods on Public Lands

Anita Wadhwani - Tennessee Lookout

                                                                                                     (Photo:  John Partipilo)

The plan to raze 2,000 acres of hardwood trees in the Bridgestone wilderness area in White County could impact endangered species, a legal notice delivered to state wildlife officials and the Bridgestone company alleges.

Read more.

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In Rare Show of Bipartisanship, 34 Tennessee Lawmakers Slam TWRA Plans to Clearcut   Anita Wadhwani - Tennessee Lookout

A letter sent by lawmakers accuses the TWRA of “breaching its duty” and a “shameful lack of communication.”

Read more. 

Tennessee Frogs Are Ready for Spring

Tennessee Wildlife Federation

Spring Peeper.                                                                (Photo: Jenna Crovo)

Tennessee’s earliest breeder, the upland chorus frog, will be emerging soon, followed by spring peepers.

Learn more about these frogs here. 

1,100 Acres Added to Bear Hollow Mountain Wildlife Management Area

Open Space Institute

                                                                    (Photo: OSI)

Tennessee’s Bear Hollow Mountain Wildlife Management Area is now 1,100 acres larger, thanks to support from OSI’s Southern Cumberland Land Protection Fund. The forested “Corum” property contains unique and rugged geology for support of sensitive plants as well as eight bat species federally designated as "Greatest Conservation Need.”

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Proposed Tennessee Wildlife Refuge in Sight

Dan Chapman - U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

                                                                                     (Photo: Dan Chapman / USFWS)

The Paint Rock River, just about everybody agrees, is an aquatic gem worthy of protection and conservation. And, for 25 years, in quiet, yet resolute fashion, a variety of federal, state, and nonprofit agencies, as well as local landowners, has worked tirelessly to restore the river to its natural state.

Now, as development edges closer to the Paint Rock, and a changing climate portends trouble for its wealth of threatened and endangered species, the move to create one of the nation’s newest national wildlife refuges gains steam. The Biden administration’s America the Beautiful plan, with the goal of conserving at least 30 percent of the nation’s lands and waters by 2030, further fuels efforts to create the refuge in Tennessee.

Read more.

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Read Chattanooga Times Free Press article by Ben Benton

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Related: Biden-⁠Harris Administration Celebrates Expansion of Locally-Led Conservation Efforts in First Year of “America the Beautiful” Initiative

 

Tennessee Tree Day is March 19

Tennessee Environmental Council

Reserve Trees Online Through Feb. 13

Each year Tennessee Tree Day engages thousands of volunteers in a fun, meaningful, family-friendly, event that results in multi-generational benefits to our environment, communities and public health.

Since 2007, Tennessee Tree Day events have mobilized over 60,000 Tennessee residents in planting 741,960 native trees in Tennessee and surrounding states. 

Learn more.

Read article from The Chattanoogan. 

National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Requests Proposals for Cumberland Plateau Stewardship Fund 2022

National Fish & Wildlife Foundation

                                                                                                                  (Map: NFWF)

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation is soliciting proposals within the Cumberland Plateau region that will help accelerate the restoration and enhancement of critical forest and freshwater habitats and associated wildlife species in the region. 

Learn more.

 

Nova Conservation - A Sit Down with Laura Marsh

Day Fire Podcast      

                                              (Image: Day Fire Podcast)

Clint and Dawson recently sat down with Laura Marsh. Laura is a field ornithologist and conservation biologist. She is the founder of Nova Conservation, an organization dedicated to connecting adventurers to conservation biology by providing unique, research-focused, ethical ecotours.

Listen in.

Lula Lake Land Trust Seeks Community Engagement Coordinator

Lula Lake Land Trust

Lula Lake Land Trust is seeking a motivated, creative and enthusiastic person to join its team as a full-time Community Engagement Coordinator. The Community Engagement Coordinator is responsible for implementing community activities for LLLT in order to build visibility, increase community engagement, and strengthen its financial resources.

Application Deadline is February 1, 2022

Learn More.

Eagle Awareness Weekends at Lake Guntersville State Park

Alabama Dept. of Conservation & Natural Resources

Attention Nature Lovers - Eagle Awareness Weekends at Lake Guntersville State Park are here. These weekends feature overnight packages, live bird demonstrations and programs provided by notable speakers, guided field trips for viewing eagles in their natural habitat, and the natural beauty of the mountains and Lake Guntersville. Make your plans!

News from South Cumberland State Park

The Friends of South Cumberland's February Trail Tracker newsletter covers a number of topics, including:

• Vote for Your Favorite Tennessee State Park
• Trails & Trilliums: An April Adventure!
• Don't Forget to Volunteer this Winter!
• 2022 Resolution: Become a Trail Friend
• Every Trail is an Adventure! - Denny Cove

Read the newsletter