July 2023

Justin P. Wilson Cumberland Trail State Park represents the best of Tennessee’s natural beauty. Its awe-inspiring landscape makes for a great scenic hiking route. The Trail also illustrates the importance of large, connected corridors—a key focus of TennGreen Land Conservancy. Since 1998, TennGreen and its supporters have been at the forefront of protecting the Cumberland […]

An American alligator was recently sighted in the Huntsville area, which many people consider to be beyond the home range of the animal. However, alligators have lived in north Alabama for at least 60 years. Read more. David Rainer – Alabama Department of Conservation & Natural Resources (Photo: Robert H. Burton / USFWS)

Walden’s Ridge is a 200-acre mountain biking and hiking park on Signal Mountain set to open in September. Hamilton County Parks and Recreation announced the park will be opening to the public this fall and will feature over 10 miles of trails for outdoor recreation. Read more. Caleb Timmerman – Southeastern Climbers Coalition (Photo: SCC)

Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center has shared their 2022-2023 Annual Report. The last year has been one of growth, excitement, and planning. Check out the report and much more in Reflection Riding’s recent newsletter. Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center (Image: RRA&NC)

Chattanooga is known for its vibrant nature scenes and as a haven for those who love all things outdoor recreation. NOOGAtoday shares five local spots you can check out if you’re wanting to try out a new outdoor activity. Read more. Kristen Templeton – NOOGAtoday (Photo: Chattanooga Tourism Co.)

While kudzu (a wildly invasive plant that can grow up to 12 inches a day) was first introduced from Japan at the 1876 Centennial Exhibition, the kudzu in Cummings Cove was introduced differently. The local story is that Lillian Cummings, wife to Judge Cummings, who was a personal friend to President Franklin D. Roosevelt, was

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency have collaborated to transfer land in White County to increase huntable land and enhance recreational opportunities at the Bridgestone Firestone Centennial Wilderness Wildlife Management Area and what will ultimately become the new Scott’s Gulf Wilderness State Park. Read more. Tennessee Wildlife Resources

The Open Space Institute (OSI) is happy to announce the fourth grant round for the Appalachian Landscapes Protection Fund (ALPF). The Fund supports land protection projects within specific Focus Areas whose forests and wetlands provide climate resilient wildlife habitat and store and sequester significant atmospheric carbon. OSI is accepting proposals through 5:00 pm EST, September 15th, 2023, for the Cradle

The Tennessee Dept. of Tourist Development has recently posted articles featuring a number of waterfalls in the state worth considering for a visit. Many are in the Cumberland region. Tennessee Bucket List-Worthy Waterfalls. These include falls at Old Stone Fort, Upper Piney Falls in Rhea County, Ozone Falls near Crossville, Twin Falls at Rock Island

Reflection Riding is an inaugural member of the Turtle Survival Alliance and the American Turtle SAFE initiative. SAFE (Saving Animals from Extinction) was founded in 2015 to focus expertise and resources on protecting and recovering species in need. As a participant in this turtle program, Reflection Riding now cares for confiscated eastern box turtles, hoping to determine the origins of