The Nickajack Naturalist

The Naturalist Afield - 1-31-2021

A weekly roundup of nature-related odds and ends from the region and beyond.

                                                       (Photo: Backpacker)

Backpacker Basecamp recently reached into the archives for several articles on improving hiking fitness, including these two:

• How to Walk   Annette McGivney

Yes, there's a better way to put one foot in front of the other. Improve your stride, trek farther, and end leg and back pain with this guide to the new science of healthy hiking.

• 4 Leg Exercises for Your Biggest Day Ever   Michelle Hamilton

Supercharge your legs with conditioning tips for monster hikes.

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    (Photo: Pmjacoby)

• The Cicadas are Coming   Shannon McGowan - Blue Ridge Outdoors

(Well, maybe, to some places near here.)  The cicadas are expected to appear for the first time since 2004 throughout a big chunk of our region, predicted to emerge in 15 states, including Delaware, Georgia,  Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. 

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                                    (Photo: Glenna Haug/Unsplash)

• TRCP's Top Five Conservation Priorities for the 117th Congress   Steve Kline - Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership

The 116th Congress was historic in its conservation achievements, with passage of legislation to boost fish habitat, wildlife health, clean water resources, and public land access. But as more Americans have turned to the outdoors during the pandemic, there is more for the 117th Congress to get done. Nothing sparks bipartisanship quite like conservation, and TRCP looks forward to working with our Democratic and Republican allies to assemble the next coalitions for conservation policy success. Here is our shortlist for the habitat, access, and funding priorities they should take up first.

• How do Farm Bill Conservation Programs Enhance Habitat?  TRCP

The Farm Bill provides $6 billion in conservation funding annually to improve habitat, access, and soil and water quality on private lands that make up 70 percent of the U.S. Congress passed a five-year bill in 2018 with increased support for conservation, and it's up to hunters and anglers to understand what's at stake as those programs are implemented. Explore our animated model farm to learn how each conservation program benefits landowners, wildlife, and sportsmen and women. 

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Compiled by Bob Butters

Snowy Owl Spotted in Chattanooga Area

Tennessee Aquarium

                                                                                    (Photo: Kathleen Greeson)

Normally, these white birds-of-prey only travel far enough to escape the harshest winter conditions of the tundra. Typically, that journey sees them as far south as the U.S. Canadian border, but on rare occasions, circumstances will take Snowy Owls even farther afield.

Such was the case earlier this month, when a Snowy Owl spent several days in the Chattanooga area. This unexpected visitor attracted birdwatchers from across the United States and garnered significant attention on social media. 

Learn more and/or purchase photos.

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Here are some sources of more information about the event:

• WRCB tv 
• WDEF News 12
• KG Photography
• YouTube
• Learn about other recent rare bird sightings in the Chattanooga area at Chattanooga TOS.

Crawling into a Hole in the Ground

By Nick Carter at Blue Ridge Outdoors

The view from a cave in Tennessee's South Cumberlands.  (Photo: Bob Butters)

An expert caver offers insight into exploring what’s underneath.

Cavers have a reputation for being kind of weird. Their recreation takes place in darkness, where it’s cold and wet with tight squeezes, conditions for which most people have a deep and innate aversion. Throw in dizzying heights and complete isolation from the outside world, and it’s easy to see why it takes a special type of person to enjoy crawling into a hole in the ground.

Read more.

 

 

TVA Joins UT as Principal Partner in Tennessee RiverLine

TN RiverLine Partnership news release

January 26th marked another historic moment in the development of the Tennessee RiverLine, North America's next great regional trail system.

 

The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) now joins the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, (UT) as a Principal Partner in the Tennessee RiverLine. TVA's elevated commitment of a $1.2 million investment over the next three years will accelerate the progress of our shared regional vision. UT and TVA were both early supporters of the Tennessee RiverLine, and the continued and elevated financial support of the Tennessee RiverLine is a direct result of the momentum, energy and support you've helped us build in Tennessee River communities and beyond.

Because of the historical leadership of Tennessee Valley Authority, a Principal Partner, the Tennessee River is a shared resource for economic development and outdoor recreation in all of our communities.  (Photo: TN RiverLine Partnership)

 

Read more about TVA and UT as Principal Partners

Because of this transformational financial support from UT and TVA, the Tennessee RiverLine is able to expand its reach and capacity and make key investments that accelerate the realization of economic development and entrepreneurship opportunities, increased equitable access to quality of life amenities and river experiences that improve public health and inspire new generations of Tennessee River stewardship.

 

Please join us in thanking TVA and UT for their vision and continued leadership in this initiative, and we look forward to our continued partnership in this shared journey to develop North America's next great regional trail system.

 

Brad Collett

Director, Tennessee RiverLine Partnership

Associate Professor, UT Department of Plant Sciences

Faculty, School of Landscape Architecture

 

Learn more about the Tennessee RiverLine, North America's Next Great Regional Trail.

 

A Colossal Crayfish Collection

TVA news release

                                                                                                                      (Photo: TVA)

TVA aquatic biologist Jeff Simmons isn't searching for baseball cards or vinyl records—his passion is crayfish, a vitally important species in the Tennessee River watershed.

Crayfish, crawdads, mudbugs, ditchbugs, mountain lobsters, or good eats. No matter what you call it, crayfish are an important bellwether species that TVA studies to measure aquatic health.

Read more.

Walden Eyeing Eventual Trail Connection With Falling Water Falls

From The Chattanoogan

Stream at Mabbit Spring.  (Photo: Shannon DeFriese)

Walden officials are eyeing a trail connection with Falling Water Falls.

Read more.

The Naturalist Afield - 1-24-2021

A weekly roundup of nature-related odds and ends from the region and beyond.

• USDA, Alabama Sign Historic Agreement to Improve Forest Conditions on Public and Private Lands    Alabama DCNR

The agreement is between USDA's Forest Service and Natural Resources Conservation Service, along with, the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Alabama Forestry Commission.

Shared Stewardship agreements establish a framework for federal and state agencies to collaborate better, focus on accomplishing mutual goals, further common interests and effectively respond to the increasing ecological challenges and natural resource concerns.

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• Moving Forward United by Conservation   Whit Fosburg - CEO, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership

TRCP staff regularly walk the halls of the Capitol to carry the collective voice of sportsmen and women to our nation's leaders. We believe in and rely on the strength of our democracy and democratic institutions to do what's necessary for fish and wildlife. This is why we felt compelled to share how we are moving forward from the recent violent events. To be united by conservation and a love of the outdoors, a foundational goal of our partnership, feels like just what the country needs right now.

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                                        (Photo: G.P. Schmahl/NOAA)

• Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary Triples in Size   Tennessee Aquarium

Many people in our area may not know the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary by name, but they have seen a living model of it in Chattanooga. The Tennessee Aquarium’s Secret Reef exhibit replicates the protected habitat that is located in the Gulf of Mexico. The boundaries of Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary have been expanded to 160 square miles of crucial habitat.

The Tennessee Aquarium’s Secret Reef live web cam gives people an opportunity to imagine what it would be like to be in this very special ecosystem: https://tnaqua.org/live/secret-reef/ 

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• 2020 Sets Yet Another Global Temperature Record   Seth Borenstein - Associated Press

Earth’s rising fever hit or neared record hot temperature levels in 2020, global weather groups recently reported.

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From NoogaToday

• This week, Jan. 25-31, join Green Steps Chattanooga in a weeklong litter challenge to help keep Chattanooga litter-free. To participate, all you have to do is – obviously – pick up litter, take a photo of your hard work, and tag @greenstepschatt on Instagram or Facebook for a chance to win prizes. 

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Compiled by Bob Butters

Find Happiness Through Birds

By Julia Zarankin - Audubon Magazine

Red-winged blackbird.  (Photo: Craig McIntyre/Great Backyard Bird Count)

New and life-long birders alike can find inspiration watching birds. In recent publications, birding has been shown to improve our wellbeing.

Check out this interesting article to learn more. 

Nearly Half of South Cumberland State Park Trails Now Marked

From Friends of South Cumberland

The FSC Trails Team work at “The Fruit Bowl,” a particularly challenging part of the Fiery Gizzard, measuring a stone staircase constructed in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps.  (Photo: Friends of South Cumberland)

As of Jan. 7, the Trails Team had completed mile-marking about 45% of South Cumberland State Park trails.  The Fiery Gizzard and Lost Cove areas of the Park are complete; only Denny Cove and parts of Savage Gulf remain. The team hopes to have all trails marked before spring hiking season arrives! 

Read about this and more, including upcoming volunteer opportunities, in FSC's February Trail Tracker newsletter.  

Thrive's Research Team Creates a Map to Guide Growth with the Environment in Mind

From Thrive Regional Partnership / Chattanooga Times Free Press

                                                                                                                     (Photo: UTC)

Three years in the making, the map looks at animal migration patterns and other markers of biodiversity to help conservationists and land planners make better decisions for growth and acquisitions. 

Read more.