The Nickajack Naturalist

South Cumberland State Park News

Friends of South Cumberland

                                                                            (Image: Friends of South Cumberland)

Learn about:

• The Big Payback
• Upcoming Trail Work Days
• Becoming a Trail Friend
• and a report on the recent Trails & Trilliums Festival

in the May 2022 Trail Tracker newsletter.

Tips for Successful Spring Nesting

Tony Lance - Tennessee Wildlife Federation

                                                                                          (Photo: Kevin Blanzy / Pexels)

As the days grow longer and the temperatures rise, our fine feathered friends begin courting and looking for a place to nest. Many people enjoy helping cavity-nesting species—bluebirds, chickadees, titmice, tree swallows, wrens—by providing them with bird houses. Here a few tips to make this process go as smoothly and successfully as possible.

Read more.

Art And Science Come Together at Reflection Riding with Wildlife Tracking Station Mural

Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center

                                                                            (Photo: Olivia Ross, Times Free Press)

On April 7th, we unveiled our new Reflection Flyway mural! We partnered with UTC and local arts funders to create a hand-painted mural on one of our Nature Center buildings that highlights the migratory bird activity we track on our campus. While you may have seen it while it was being painted by the artists, on April 7th we officially unveiled the mural to the press. 

Thank you to the artists Derek Witucki, Gus Gaston, and Tyus Allen for your hard work on this project! And thank you to our partners Dr. David Aborn, ArtsBuild, SETD and Public Art Chattanooga.

Read more.

Spring Events at DeSoto State Park

DeSoto State Park

                                                                                              (Image: DeSoto State Park)

To learn about a variety of upcoming events at DeSoto State Park, read the park's latest newsletter.

Spring at Reflection Riding

                                                    (Photo: Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center)

Learn about spring programs and events, the native plant nursery, an employment opportunity, prescribed fire, summer camp and more in Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center's recent newsletter.  

Explore The Gorge Starting April 29 with River Gorge Excursions

The Chattanoogan

                                                        (Photo: Bob Butters)

River Gorge Excursions, a pontoon boat tour and rental company, is opening on April 29, for its 2022 season. The company has expanded its operations over the past two years to two locations and three boats in response to its increasing demand.

River Gorge Excursions provides an eye-opening experience along the scenic Tennessee River Gorge, just 15 minutes away from Downtown Chattanooga. A boat tour or rental is a great way to enjoy the Tennessee River Gorge.

Read more.

Black Bear Cubs Collared in Northeast Alabama

David Rainer - AL Dept. of Conservation & Natural Resources 

                                (Photo: Billy Pope)

Traci Wood, State Wildlife Grants Coordinator with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division, recently was among a team of biologists and researchers who were able to place collars on a trio of bear cubs in DeKalb County near Mentone.

A research program under State Wildlife Grants is continuing to monitor the black bear populations in the state. In its fourth year, the study looks at cub survival and den habitat.

Read more.

From Glow Worms to Victorian Villages

Tennessee State Parks

                                                                                                   (Image: TN State Parks)

Glow worms, jaw-dropping sandstone arches, and certified dark skies. There’s a reason Pickett CCC Memorial State Park is considered the hidden gem of the Cumberland Plateau! Tennessee State Parks collaborated with Cumberland River Compact to put together a list of incredible adventures you can have at and around the park. Check it out!

Read the guide.

Spring Programming at Outdoor Chattanooga

Outdoor Chattanooga

                                                                                          (Photo: Outdoor Chattanooga) 

Spring is in the air! The weather is warming, plants are blooming, and folks are starting to spend more time enjoying the outdoors. Outdoor Chattanooga is ramping up our programming to help get you outside to enjoy this spectacular weather. This month’s newsletter highlights some of that awesome programming as well as some local events happening in our community. We are also extending a warm welcome to the new administrator of the Department of Parks and Outdoors, Scott Martin.

Read about this and more in Outdoor Chattanooga's April newsletter.

Explore Sequatchie Cave State Natural Area - April 9

Tennessee State Parks

Sequatchie Cave.                                                             (Photo: Bob Butters)

A Celebration of Tennessee's Natural Areas

Join Tennessee Division of Natural Areas staff as they explore, explain, and celebrate the wonder of Tennessee State Natural Areas during the 2022 Natural Areas Week April 2nd - 10th. From sunrise hikes to wildflower cycling tours, there's an event for everyone.

Find events.

What lurks above Sequatchie Cave SNA?

In the South Cumberland region, the Division of Natural areas will host a hiking tour of recent additions to Sequatchie Cave State Natural Area on April 9th.

Learn more.