Tucked along the Cumberland Plateau, Savage Gulf State Park near Beersheba Springs, Tennessee covers a sprawling 15,590 acres of scenic wilderness, which makes it one of the larger natural areas in the state. The property was once part of a much larger natural area and became Tennessee’s newest state park in September 2022, a change […]
Join the Tennessee River Gorge Trust to celebrate the grand opening of the second phase of the Aetna Mountain trail system with a short ceremony followed by an inaugural community ride and hike on Friday, August 21, at 3:30 p.m. at the Aetna Mountain Trailhead off River Gorge Drive. Learn more. Tennessee River Gorge Trust
Grand Opening of Aetna Mountain Trail System – Phase II, August 21 Read More »
In September 2022, TennGreen Land Conservancy, Robert D. McCaleb of Cleveland, TN, the Open Space Institute, and The Nature Conservancy in Tennessee partnered to permanently protect Custard Hollow through a conservation easement. The unique landscapes in southeastern Tennessee and northern Alabama contain a wealth of unique and at-risk species. Located within an extensive conservation corridor, the 620-acre Custard
Another Look at TennGreen’s Custard Hollow Project Read More »
Most public lands news happens out west. More than 90 percent of our federal public lands lie in America’s 12 westernmost states. It’s easy to disregard what’s happening in the eastern half of the country. That doesn’t mean that public lands aren’t essential to people in the eastern half of the country. Much of that
Redrock and Rocky Top – A Look at the Fiery Gizzard and Public Lands Read More »
Kendra and John Abbott, professional nature photographers, educators, and outdoor enthusiasts both with roles at The University of Alabama, are supporting a national effort to study insect trends. Along with more than 150 other researchers, the Abbotts are gathering insect biomass and diversity insights from two collection sites across Alabama for the last couple years. Read more.
Paint Rock Center Studies the Decline of Insects Read More »
While nearly all of us can agree it’s a good idea to protect our nation’s wildlife and its habitat, this tradition seems to no longer be a priority for our federal government. The Trump administration has finalized its plan to roll back longstanding rules that protect wildlife under the Endangered Species Act. Their goal is nothing less than allowing the destruction of the habitats that endangered species depend on to survive. Read more. Southern Environmental Law Center Photo: Stephanie Gross / SELC
SELC Sues to Protect the Irreplaceable Habitats that Species Depend On Read More »
Temperatures in the “Mountains of Adventure” are 5-6 degrees cooler than most other Southeastern locations (rarely topping the 80s). And summer brings perfect water temperatures to the area’s many streams, offering perfect swimming holes, which are found at the base of the area’s amazing waterfalls. Plan your escape. South Cumberland Partnership
Escape the Summer Heat in Tennessee’s South Cumberlands Read More »
In 1994, Tennessee’s last Red-cockaded Woodpecker was seen in the rugged uplands of the Cherokee National Forest. Now efforts are underway to restore Red-cockaded habitat in a state park in Tennessee’s Cumberland Plateau, and the best hopes for bringing back the bird are rooted in a rare flower. Read more. Clarissa Casper – Living Bird magazine
The Orchid That Opened a Door for Threatened Woodpeckers Read More »
Read about these topics and more in the ACI’s Summer 2026 newsletter. Photo: ACI
Trailers and Trails at the Appalachian Conservation Institute Read More »
A 2026 photo project featuring the interplay of nature and architecture on the Sewanee campus. Watch next month for August’s photos. See June’s photos here. All photos by Bob Butters.
Sewanee in Wood and Stone – July Read More »