Travel Embers Heritage Travel Podcast Launches in Chattanooga

The trails and natural areas of the Cumberland Plateau offer some of the finest hiking in the southeastern United States. From the dramatic gorges of the South Cumberland State Park to the quiet hollows of the highland forests, there is always something new to discover.

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.