68 Acres May Be Added to Hiwassee Refuge

Bird surveys conducted this spring across multiple sites on the Cumberland Plateau documented several species of concern, including the wood thrush, Kentucky warbler, and worm-eating warbler. These findings underscore the importance of maintaining large blocks of interior forest habitat.

The phenology of spring wildflowers on the Cumberland Plateau continues to shift in response to changing climate patterns. Long-term observers have noted that some species are blooming earlier than in decades past, while others show more variable timing. These observations contribute to a growing database that helps scientists understand how plant communities respond to environmental change.