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Thrive Regional Partnership
From peaceful wildlife sanctuaries and sites of profound historical significance, Meigs County, Tennessee is a place that stirs the soul. Read this guide to learn everything you need to know about visiting “the Shoreline County!”
Mack Prichard. (Photo: Friends of South Cumberland)
March 31, 2021 is designated as Mack S. Prichard Day by Governor Bill Lee in appreciation and celebration of Mack's life in service. Mack was the first archaeologist and later Naturalist of the State of Tennessee. He started working for the state at the age of 16 and kept his job for over 50 years, despite a turnover of eight governors. His mission in life was to explore beautiful, pristine Tennessee properties, take slides, and then convince others that these properties were worth conserving. Mack passed away in 2020.
At http://www.mackprichard.com are Mack's amazing collections of photos, videos and writings. At the site, with Mack's blessing, the Friends have scanned, archived and posted some of the thousands of slides, dozens of presentations and countless pages of Mack's writings and notes, recounting his more than six decades of service to the State of Tennessee, to nature, and to like-minded environmentalists and conservationists across the planet.
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Gov. Bill Lee has designated March 31 as Mack S. Prichard Day, honoring Tennessee’s first state naturalist and state archeologist.
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Ed. note: I consider myself fortunate, and my life experience richer, to have made the acquaintance of Mack Prichard. If you never met him, he was everything you've heard, and more. BB
Green Spaces Chattanooga
(Image: Green Spaces)
Green Spaces Kicks Off Eco Field Day April 15
April 22, 2021 marks the 51st anniversary of Earth Day, and Green Spaces is celebrating with a month-long virtual challenge full of eco-activities for kids, families, students, individuals and corporate teams.
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Clean Catoosa 2021 Countywide Earth Day Initiative Set For April 17 The Chattanoogan
LIFT Youth Center Inc, in conjunction with Catoosa County government, the City of Fort Oglethorpe, the City of Ringgold, Catoosa County Chamber of Commerce and other local groups and non-profits will hold a county-wide Earth Day initiative to celebrate and contribute to the beauty of the environment. The Third Annual Clean Catoosa will be held across Catoosa County from 9 a.m.-noon on Saturday, April 17, with a tentative rain date of April 24.
A weekly roundup of nature-related odds and ends from the region and beyond.
(Photo: TN Aquarium)
When the Tennessee Aquarium closed its doors last March to slow the spread of the pandemic through the community, its galleries fell eerily silent. Even as the world outside all but stopped, however, teams of animal experts continued to see to the needs of 12,000 animals whose care requirements could not be interrupted. On Wednesday, March 31, some of country music’s biggest stars will take the virtual stage for “All Together for Animals,” an incredible virtual concert fundraising event in support of more than 200 zoos and aquariums.
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(Image: Day Fire Podcast)
Day Fire Podcast talks with Chris and Sara who are a husband and wife duo who share their travels and adventures over on Youtube.
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In the wake of the fatal winter storm that left millions in the South without power and water, more than 160 organizations have endorsed the new Southern Communities for a Green New Deal policy platform.
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Counting and documenting where birds are and how they’re responding to a shifting climate is essential to helping to protect them. Climate Watch is Audubon’s biannual community science program enlisting volunteers from across the U.S. to tally vulnerable bird species—the summer survey session runs May 15 - June 15, 2021.
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Goodbye, spring, summer, fall, and winter. Backpackers need new seasons that help us understand what actually matters: daylight.
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New Interior Secretary Deb Haaland has been a bold leader on climate action and conservation. What’s more, until Secretary Haaland, nobody descended from North America’s Indigenous peoples had ever been confirmed for a Cabinet position. She'll bring sorely needed perspective to an agency that has been responsible for exploiting and mistreating Indigenous peoples and their lands.
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Compiled by Bob Butters
TennGreen Land Conservancy
Grassy Cove in Cumberland County. (Photo: TennGreen)
What is Regenerative Agriculture? By John Fenderson, TennGreen Land Conservancy Board Member
Regenerative Agriculture is a sustainable land practice that can be effective in building resilience in agricultural food systems. Essentially, the process enhances ecosystem services and biodiversity as well as enriching soils and improving watersheds. Although there is an absence of an agreed-upon and clear definition, in the general sense, markers for what comprise the term include the impacts and outcomes. These markers are the two pillars upon which the practices of reduction or elimination of tillage, integration of livestock, the use of cover crops, and the aversion to synthetic pesticides and fertilizers rests.
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Why Farmers Are Key to Conservation By Matthew J. McClanahan, TennGreen Land Conservancy Regional Vice President (East)
It has been said that “the future shall be green or not at all.” TennGreen Land Conservancy’s stated purpose is to protect, care for, and connect people with Tennessee’s natural world through sound science and partnerships. A natural partner for TennGreen is Tennessee’s farmers and landowners.
By Trista Pruitt - NOOGAtoday
Litter by the South Chickamauga Creek. (Photo: NOOGAtoday)
NOOGAtoday answers a question they received from many of you — what can we do about all the litter in our beautiful city?
TennGreen Land Conservancy
Mitchell Cove, a conservation success in the Cradle of Southern Appalachia. (Photo: Bob Butters)
You can find some of our state’s most dramatic features at the convergence of southeastern Tennessee, northern Alabama, and northern Georgia. Fiery Gizzard, Savage Gulf, Lookout Mountain, Denny Cove, and the Sequatchie Valley are all enjoyed by tens of thousands of visitors each year, and with these visitors comes increased tourism revenue for the small communities scattered throughout the ridges and valleys. But, like many places in Tennessee, and in large part the result of its scenic beauty, this area’s population is booming—putting its natural assets at risk.
Thrive Regional Partnership
Historic Dunlap Coke Oven ruins. (Photo: Bob Butters)
Located just 45 minutes northwest of Chattanooga, Sequatchie County, and Dunlap, Tennessee is full of history, charm, and outdoor activities. This recently designed map of Dunlap, Tennessee has us planning our next day trip!
The Chattanoogan
View of Prentice Cooper State Forest from Mullins Cove Overlook. (Photo: Bob Butters)
The Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Crime Unit is teaming up with the Division of Forestry to elevate enforcement of state forest regulations.
The increased law enforcement activity centers around misuse by off-highway vehicle and all-terrain vehicle users in the state forests. A particular area of concern is land in and around Prentice Cooper State Forest in Chattanooga where destruction of roads and trails has been discovered by visitors, foresters, and ACU agents.
A weekly roundup of nature-related odds and ends from the region and beyond.
(Photo: Backpacker.com)
Deb Haaland has officially been confirmed as Secretary of the Interior, making her the first Native person in U.S. history to hold a cabinet-level post. The Senate voted 51-40 to approve Haaland’s nomination on March 15.
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Women’s History Month is a time to honor women’s many and pivotal contributions to the environmental movement. Women have risen up against polluting corporations, fought to ensure that all communities have access to clean air and water, and led movements advocating for climate action.
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March 22 is when we celebrate World Water Day 2021, with the theme of valuing water. Learn more on their website.
Economic development and a growing global population mean agriculture and industry are getting thirstier and water-intensive energy generation is rising to meet demand. Climate change is making water more erratic and contributing to pollution. As societies balance the demands on water resources, many people’s interests are not being taken into account.
How we value water determines how water is managed and shared. The value of water is about much more than its price – water has enormous and complex value for our households, culture, health, education, economics and the integrity of our natural environment. If we overlook any of these values, we risk mismanaging this finite, irreplaceable resource.
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(Photo: Sierra Club)
Before a disastrous blight, the American chestnut was a keystone species of eastern forests. Could genetic engineering help bring it back?
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If you've wondered which generators would be best to use for camping, find your questions answered here.
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Compiled by Bob Butters