Two climber-scientists are exploring Tennessee’s Cumberland Gap to find traces of forgotten Southeastern ecosystems. Alaina Krakowiak and Laura Boggess, both longtime sport and trad climbers from the Southeast, are using their skills to search for rare grasslands. Read more. Suzie Hodges – Blue Ridge Outdoors Photo: Alaina Krakowiak
Searching for Vertical Grasslands in Cumberland Gap Read More »
SORBA Chattanooga, the nonprofit organization dedicated to building, maintaining, and advocating for mountain bike accessible trails across the greater Chattanooga region, has announced it is hiring a full-time Director of Development — a milestone position that reflects the organization’s rapid growth and long-term ambitions. Learn more. Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association Apply here. Image: SORBA Chattanooga
SORBA Chattanooga Seeks Director of Development to Fuel Next Phase of Trail Growth Read More »
Southeast Conservation Corps continues its partnership with the Town of Walden to advance conservation efforts and expand trail access for the Signal Mountain community. In summer 2024, one of SECC’s adult crews completed trail and retaining wall repairs at Mabbit Springs, a scenic path that winds alongside Little Falling Water Creek. Looking ahead to summer
Town Of Walden And SECC Launch New Youth Conservation Corps Crew Read More »
The Last Dragons – Protecting Appalachia’s Hellbenders This video provides an intimate glimpse at North America’s Eastern Hellbender, an ancient salamander that lives as much in myth as in reality…. and in many waters, myths are all that remain of these sentinel stream-dwellers. Freshwaters Illustrated Image: Freshwaters Illustrated _________________________________________________________________________________ Expanding Outdoor Recreation in North Carolina
Early April found Amata Hinkle at the Paint Rock Forest Research Center. Hinkle had visited Sharp-Bingham Mountain Preserve weeks earlier for a training exercise and took an excursion to a creek. “A rock screamed, ‘Turn me over! Turn me over!’” Hinkle said. She complied and spotted minute translucent snails clinging to the stone. Read more.
A Curiosity of Snails: Research at the Paint Rock Center Read More »
Although most species of wildlife try to stay as far away from us as possible, a precious few have adapted to life nearby. This is particularly true of birds, which not only regularly visit our yards in search of water and food, but some of which also nest in the shadow of our homes. These
Nesting Close to Home: The Carolina Wren Read More »
Bike Tennessee announces the addition of 37 new gravel cycling routes, enhancing its existing network with over 1,000 miles of newly mapped diverse terrain. Explore these new routes. Note: Under Explore Bike TN Routes, click Route Terrain and select Gravel Cycling. For more gravel routes, including some close to Chattanooga, check out this guide at
Meet Tennessee’s 37 New Gravel Bike Routes Read More »
Momentum continued to build across the Tennessee RiverLine in 2025, as communities and partners expanded opportunities to experience the river. New grant funding supported the launch of five community kayak fleets in Alabama, increasing access to on-the-water recreation. Tishomingo County, Mississippi, joined the RiverTowns Program, marking participation from all four states. RiverTowns advanced local planning
The Tennessee RiverLine Reports on Another Incredible Year Read More »
Through ambitious planning, community investment, and progressive environmental action, Chattanooga has transformed from an industrial cautionary tale into North America’s first National Park City, equipped with a revitalized riverfront, a prominent art and culinary scene, and a reputation as an unrivaled outdoor destination. Read more. Jessica Baltzersen – National Geographic Ed. note: This article contains a
National Geographic Explores Chattanooga as a National Park City Read More »
Ready to tap into your inner naturalist? The City Nature Challenge is happening April 24–27, and it’s your chance to be part of a global citizen science effort in the Chattanooga area. For one weekend, people across the city and around the world will be getting outside to observe and document plants and wildlife. Every photo
Become a Citizen Scientist, April 24-27, with City Nature Challenge Read More »