September 2025

Registration Remains Open for Inaugural Tennessee Biodiversity Summit – Oct. 22

The Tennessee Biodiversity Summit, an event celebrating Tennessee’s rich habitats and many species, will occur on Oct. 22, 2025, from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. (CT) at Middle Tennessee State University. All wildlife enthusiasts, including experts, birdwatchers, hunters, and anyone interested in nature, are invited to participate in this experience packed with opportunities to learn […]

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States Submit New Wildlife Action Plans This Fall

State wildlife action plans provide blueprints for conserving thousands of wildlife species. State wildlife agencies draft the plans, often in partnership with scientists and other conservation experts, and include feedback from the public. The plans pinpoint which wildlife species in each state or territory require proactive intervention—known as Species of Greatest Conservation Need—and identify the

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Open Space Institute Presents New Funding for Appalachian Conservation

The Open Space Institute (OSI) is pleased to announce two new complementary funding opportunities through OSI’s Appalachian Landscapes Project to support conservation efforts across the 18 states of the Appalachian Mountains region. Stretching from Alabama to Maine and into Quebec, the Appalachians are the longest intact north-south migration corridor in the eastern United States, a

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More Things That Glow in the Dark: Mushrooms & Marine Life

As we head into fall and our nights get longer, you can explore more things that glow in the dark. The South is home to many of nature’s nightlights. Discover the Southern mushrooms and marine life that light up the night. From green glowing eastern jack-o’-lanterns and bitter oysters to shimmering algae and candescent comb jellies. In Part Two of Dogwood

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2025 Fall Foliage Guide

The 2025 Fall Foliage Map is the ultimate visual planning guide to the annual progressive changing of the leaves. While no tool can be 100% accurate, this tool is meant to help travelers better time their trips to have the best opportunity of catching peak color each year. View the map. Ed. note: In case it isn’t

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You Can Help With the Tennessee River Rescue – Oct. 4

The Tennessee River Rescue was founded over thirty years ago by a group of environmentalists who decided that enough was enough. Motivated by the trash lining the Tennessee River, they started a grassroots effort to make a difference. Local non-profit WaterWays carries on this vision by coordinating an effort along with community leaders and hundreds of volunteers

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Top 10 Wildlife Encounters in the Tennessee River Gorge

While it’s true that the outdoor community treasures the Tennessee River Gorge for its stunning scenery, essential ecological services, and endless opportunities for recreation, it’s often the wildlife encounters that leave the most lasting impressions. TRGT’s Austin Young shares 10 of the more memorable wildlife encounters he and others have experienced in the Gorge. Read

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Meet Brent O’Keefe, TVA’s Program Manager for Environmental Compliance

TVA’s program manager for Environmental Compliance is caring for the environment, 1 mile at a time. Working alongside cultural and biological groups, O’Keefe’s team collects information about environmentally sensitive areas and creates permits that protect the land and the crews. Read more. Tennessee Valley Authority Photo: TVA

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Hemorrhagic Disease in White-Tailed Deer Confirmed in Franklin County and 7 Others

  White-tailed deer populations in portions of Middle and West Tennessee are currently experiencing an increase in hemorrhagic disease (HD) activity based on TWRA monitoring efforts. HD is a naturally occurring disease in deer, typical of southeastern states, that can be caused by epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) and bluetongue (BT) viruses. These viruses are transmitted

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