The Nickajack Naturalist

The Naturalist Afield - 2-28-2021

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

                                       (Image: Day Fire Podcast)

• Lost and Found   Day Fire Podcast

Dawson and Clint talk about search and rescue with Nancy East. 

• Talking Hypothermia   Day Fire Podcast

Dawson and Clint talk with Nancy East on how to avoid and deal with hypothermia.

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• How to Deal with Your Fear of Snakes   Alisha McDarris - Backpacker

They’re slithery, occasionally venomous, and many hikers’ worst nightmare. Learning to coexist with these reptiles just takes a little knowledge.

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• Outdoor Alliance Statement on Conservation Announcement from Biden Administration   Tania Lown-Hecht - Outdoor Alliance 

The Biden administration released an epic executive order on the environment, including committing to 30x30 and building a new conservation corps.

• An Ambitious Climate Goal the Outdoor Community Can Support   Tania Lown-Hecht - Outdoor Alliance

30x30, or the goal to protect 30 percent of our lands and waters by 2030, is gaining momentum. The outdoor community has a lot to gain.

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• Five Public Lands Issues the New Administration Should Tackle   Trust for Public Land

TPL's team of policy experts outlined the top parks and public lands issues the Biden-Harris administration should prioritize for healthy, equitable, resilient communities, from emergency funding for local parks to using infrastructure spending to fight climate change. Read up on these important policies—and take action to make your voice heard on the public lands issues that matter most to you.

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Compiled by Bob Butters

The Year of the Cicada

By Tish Gailmard - Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center

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Cicadas are curious creatures — some broods emerge only once every 17 years. This is the case for Brood X, which will likely migrate through Tennessee this year!

Read more about this phenomenon and the dangers cicadas are facing.

$5.25 Million Fund Launched for Conservation and Climate Change in the Region

Open Space Institute news release

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Seeking to accelerate land conservation along the Appalachian Mountains to counter climate change and its impacts, the Open Space Institute has announced the launch of its $18 million Appalachian Landscapes Protection Fund (ALPF), which will focus, in part, on protecting key sections of Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia. The ALPF, initially capitalized with $5.25 million in the tristate area, will provide grants to the local region for the acquisition of land and conservation easements to protect wildlife habitat and store carbon. Funded projects are also expected to improve recreational access and safeguard clean air and water.

Harnessing the critical role of forests to combat climate change, the ALPF aims to conserve at least 30,000 acres in the tristate area known locally as the Cradle of Southern Appalachia, a seven-million-acre region that has long been a priority for conservation. The ALPF will be guided by a conservation blueprint developed by Thrive Regional Partnership’s Natural Treasures Alliance, a regional collaboration of conservation groups, private businesses, and citizens.

Read more.

 

Safe Passage for Wildlife

By Angie Langevin - Tennessee River Gorge Trust

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Protecting wildlife corridors for species in the air, land, and water is part of what the Tennessee River Gorge Trust does every day.

Read more.

Tennessee State Parks Respond To Surge in Visitors With Arrive Outdoors To Deliver Affordable Gear Rentals

Tennessee Dept. of Environment & Conservation news release

South Cumberland State Park's Stone Door Overlook.                    (Photo: Bob Butters)

In response to a surge of visitors to Tennessee State Parks last year, the parks recently announced a new partnership with Arrive Outdoors to make gear more affordable for park visitors. The plan is to offer gear that visitors can rent as opposed to buying expensive gear outright.

Read more.

Explore Alabama's Birding Trails

Alabama Dept. of Conservation & Natural Resources

                          (Photo: AL DCNR)

With 280 sites covering Alabama from the mountains to the gulf, the Alabama Birding Trails provide a roadmap of the best public lands to watch the birds. Over 430 different bird species have been spotted in Alabama.

Did you know that each of the Alabama State Parks are stops on the Alabama Birding Trails? Winter is an excellent time to see birds not normally seen in Alabama.

Learn more.

50 sites in 12 counties across North Alabama range from tupelo swamps to blazing fields of wildflowers.

Explore the North Alabama Birding Trail.

The Naturalist Afield - 2-21-2021

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

                                                                  (Photo: REI)

• Cold-Weather Hiking Tips   REI

Winter is a great time to hike. With fewer people and changing landscapes, a memorable trip is bound to happen. To have a more pleasant adventure, first arm yourself with some tips and knowledge for cold-weather hiking.

• Out Cold —Andrew Herrington’s Winter Survival Essentials   Ellen Kanzinger - Blue Ridge Outdoors

When it comes to wilderness survival, don’t expect Andrew Herrington to teach you how to make a bow drill fire or how to trap animals for food. His classes focus on the reality of dealing with an emergency wilderness situation, a reality that looks a lot different than what is shown on television. 

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• Economics of Biodiversity Review: What Are the Recommendations?   Damian Carrington - The Guardian

Landmark report says GDP should be ditched as measure of wealth, and nature valued to protect wildlife and humans.

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• Biden Pledges to Protect 30% of Land, Ocean by 2030   Tom Dillon - Pew Charitable Trusts

President Joe Biden has committed the U.S. to protecting 30% of its land and ocean by 2030. Achieving this goal would benefit a vast range of species and their habitats—and billions of people worldwide.

• Biden Commits to Ambitious 30 X 30 Conservation Target  Sarah Gibbens - National Geographic

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• U.S. Dept. of the Interior Announces Plans to Strengthen LWCF   USDOI news bulletin

The Interior Department has taken steps to strengthen the Land and Water Conservation Fund by rescinding Trump administration policies that significantly undermined the landmark conservation program.

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Compiled by Bob Butters

All About the Gray Fox, Biodiversity

Georgia Dept. of Natural Resources

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The Georgia Department of Natural Resources recently presented two informative videos, one about the gray fox and one about biodiversity and what we can do to protect it. Click on the title of each to watch the video.

•  Hey, Whaddaya Know? Gray Fox

Is it a dog? A cat? Nope, it's a fox! Do you know which fox is native to the great state of Georgia? Join Wildlife Interpretive Specialist Kathy Church to learn about this amazing animal and how it can do what no others can.

• Talking Nature Tuesday: Biodiversity

What is biodiversity and why is it so important? Learn more about how every species serves in an important role in ecosystem health. 

Trails and Trilliums Is Returning in 2021!

Friends of South Cumberland

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The Friends of South Cumberland is pleased to announce plans for the 17th Trails & Trilliums on April 9-11, which will be an outdoors-only event, with masks and social distancing. The event will again be held on the grounds of the DuBose Conference Center in Monteagle, using their ample outdoor spaces.

Learn more about this and the following topics in the Friends of South Cumberland's March Trail Tracker newsletter.

• Every Trailhead is an Adventure!
• New Foster Falls Staircase Complete
• Become a Trail Friend!
• Volunteer Opportunities

Read newsletter.

Walden's Ridge Park Update

The North Chickamauga Creek Conservancy

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The following is a letter sent out by the North Chickamauga Creek Conservancy following the February 9 City Council meeting concerning the Quarry property adjacent to Walden's Ridge Park.

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Friends, 

The North Chickamauga Creek Conservancy has a long-standing history of working with developers to seek common ground in balancing property rights with responsible environmental and community stewardship. Each case is delicate and requires a unique approach. You may remember our Don't Chop the Hilltop effort where we called on the public to draw attention to Hillock Farms in Hixson. 

More recently, we have negotiated with Flipper Bend on Signal Mountain. We were contacted by a proactive developer to serve as consultants for a large-scale project, and with our guidance, the developer volunteered to treat Hemlocks for Wooly Adelgid, add publicly accessible trails, and create acceptable set-backs on brow lots. 

For two years, NCCC has worked tirelessly to help guide a project adjacent to Walden's Ridge Park. On Tuesday, the Chattanooga City Council voted down a PUD plan which was set to preserve a champion Post Oak, secure a greenway for public access, and protect an additional 21 acres of green space. 

While the future of the property remains uncertain, we will continue to work for a positive outcome. We will continue dialogue with Pratt Home Builders to protect assets like Reads Spring, and we hope to foster a spirit of cooperation to further the reach of the park for the community. 

We are thankful for you, our supporters, and your commitment to more thoughtful development. 

Onward, 
 
The North Chickamauga Creek Conservancy

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Walden's Ridge Park