North Chickamauga Creek Conservancy Seeks to Make North Chickamauga Creek a State Scenic River

Seasonal changes on the Plateau bring dramatic transformations to the landscape. The mixed mesophytic forests — among the most diverse temperate forests on Earth — cycle through spectacular displays of wildflowers, lush summer canopies, brilliant fall foliage, and stark winter beauty.

The area surrounding Nickajack Cave, once home to the largest gray bat colony in the eastern United States, exemplifies the conservation challenges we face. Protecting these critical habitats requires balancing recreational access with the needs of sensitive species. The cave's gated entrance, installed in cooperation with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, has helped stabilize the bat population while still allowing responsible scientific study.