about us

About Bob Butters

Bob is a lifelong naturalist and aspiring nature photographer who has been exploring the Southern Cumberlands and surrounding regions since 1980. He works as a landscaper and outdoor writer and is married to Kim, who is a Pilates instructor. After residing in the Sequatchie Valley of Marion County, TN for 25 years, they have been based in Sewanee, TN since 2019. For over 15 years, Bob has been actively involved with a number of organizations promoting conservation and outdoor recreation in the region, and since 2009, has published the Nickajack Naturalist blog, the predecessor to the Cumberland Naturalist.    

About the Cumberland Naturalist

The mission of the Cumberland Naturalist is to be a comprehensive source of information about nature, outdoor recreation, conservation, and the naturalist lifestyle, primarily in and near the Cumberland region of Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia, especially the core South Cumberland area near Chattanooga. Coverage may also extend to other areas of particular interest throughout the central southeastern U.S.

The Cumberland Trekker Outdoor Adventure Guide is a feature of The Cumberland Naturalist and is in the process of being developed into a comprehensive outdoor recreation guide to the Cumberland region.