Join SPARQ South Pittsburg and Tennessee RiverLine for a free, beginner-friendly 6.2-mile paddle down the stunning Tennessee River! This is a fantastic opportunity to enjoy one of our region’s greatest natural treasures while meeting fellow paddlers and enjoying a beautiful day on the water. Learn more. South Pittsburg Area Revitalization Quest Photo: SPARQ
South Pittsburg’s Pitt to Port Paddle Set for June 28 Read More »
Last month, Scott’s Gulf Wilderness officially became Tennessee’s 60th State Park—an exciting milestone built on decades of collaborative conservation. Since 2008, TennGreen Land Conservancy has protected more than 2,500 acres in this region of the Mid-Cumberlands, including remarkable places like Virgin Falls, Dry Creek Headwaters, and Welch’s Point. These iconic landscapes are now a vital part of Scott’s Gulf Wilderness
TennGreen Celebrates New Scott’s Gulf Wilderness State Park Read More »
What do a President, scout, lawyer, physician, congressman and educator all have in common? Folks like these supported campaigns to establish and expand wilderness areas in Alabama after the Sipsey Wilderness was created in 1975. In our first installment about Alabama’s Wilderness Areas, we learned how a group of conservationists launched the national Eastern Wilderness movement
The Heroes Behind Alabama’s Wilderness Areas Read More »
Communities across the country are capitalizing on mountain biking’s rising popularity. Product sales and tourism data reveal a boost in ecotourism thanks to the sport, with mountain biking growing even in parts of the U.S. devoid of mountains. More people are trying it, and more towns are investing in new trails (and turning profits). Read
Pay Dirt – The Economic Benefits of Mountain Biking Read More »
At some point, nearly everyone who spends time outdoors finds a baby bird—one that is unable to fly well and seems lost or abandoned. Your first impulse may be to help the young bird, but in the great majority of cases the young bird doesn’t need help. In fact, intervening often makes the situation worse.
What to Do When You Find a Baby Bird Read More »
Since prehistoric times, people have been seeking out the area now known as Tennessee’s South Cumberland as a place to relax, re-charge, and re-connect with nature….and themselves. Pleasant summer breezes glide over the Cumberland Plateau, 2,000 feet above the sea, and its deep forests provide welcome shade. Cool mountain streams and their waterfalls create wonderful
Relax and Re-charge on the Cumberland Plateau Read More »
A coalition of environmental groups and researchers has released a draft plan aiming to harness federal funding and state relationships to protect the Ohio River — a drinking water source for 30 million people — from pollutants and habitat destruction. Middle and East Tennessee are part of the 204,000-square-mile Ohio River Basin that includes portions of 14
Report Seeks Federal Funding for Preserving Ohio River Basin, Including Tennessee River Read More »
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency announces the inaugural Tennessee Biodiversity Summit. an event celebrating Tennessee’s rich habitats and multitude of species, will take place Oct. 22, 2025, from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. at Middle Tennessee State University. All wildlife enthusiasts, including experts, birdwatchers, hunters, and anyone with an interest in nature, are invited to
Tennessee Biodiversity Summit to be Held October 22 Read More »
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is inviting Tennesseans and visitors to take part in the Agency’s 2025 wild turkey summer observational survey. The survey is open to the public through Aug 31. Agency staff has conducted this survey annually since the 1980s with public participation beginning in 2022. Survey participants help the TWRA monitor the
Public Wild Turkey Observation Survey Underway Through August 31 Read More »
Milkweed is a North American native plant that is a food source for hundreds of small creatures but critical for monarch butterflies. Learn more. Ann Bartlett – The Pulse ____________________________________________________________________________________ TDOT Resumes Project Milkweed Orders; Asks for Public Feedback In celebration of National Pollinator Week (June 16-22), the Tennessee Department of Transportation is reopening online
It’s National Pollinator Week – Plant Milkweed To Attract Monarchs Read More »