The Cumberland Naturalist
Exploring nature and the outdoors in the heart of the Southeast.
LATEST ARTICLES
Welcome to the Cumberland Naturalist! This site aims to be your one-stop shop for news and information about nature, outdoor recreation, conservation and the nature-connected lifestyle in the heart of the Southeast. Primary focus is on the Cumberland region of Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia, and especially the central South Cumberland region near Chattanooga.
As the successor to the Nickajack Naturalist blog, the website is in its initial stages of development, with more features being planned.
Besides blog articles, check out the preliminary version of the Cumberland Trekker Outdoor Adventure Guide.
Spotlight: Southeast
Last week, I introduced a new feature, Spotlight Southeast, a place for occasional stories about nature or conservation, etc. from locations around the Southeastern...
Every autumn, trees across the United States begin to reproduce, sending acorns and cones, berries and whirlybirds plummeting to the ground below. While a precious few of these seeds...
When agencies and nonprofits spend money to restore wildlife and open land for the public, the payoff reaches far beyond the woods and wetlands—it also boosts state economies.
A new...
The 35th Tennessee Sandhill Crane Festival is set for Jan. 17-18, 2026 (Saturday-Sunday) at the Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge, Cherokee Removal Memorial Park, and Birchwood Community Center....