I’ve long been fascinated by fox squirrels, which come in a variety of colors, and are larger and less well-known than the plentiful gray squirrel. Their range officially covers the entire Southeast, but while they were common where I grew up in the coastal plain of Alabama, and I’ve seen them in western Middle Tennessee, […]
The Impressive Fox Squirrel Read More »
Fifty years ago, on January 3, 1975, President Gerald Ford signed the Eastern Wilderness Act into law. Tucked inside the law was a newly-designated wilderness area in the Bankhead National Forest—a 12,000 acre parcel of land endowed with canyons and dozens of waterfalls called the Sipsey Wilderness. Something you likely won’t find in history books
North Alabama’s Sipsey Wilderness Turns 50 Read More »
Jeff Duncan, who serves as the regional aquatic ecologist for the 74 National Park Service units across the Southeast, said he is leaving his job due to ongoing pressure under the Department of Government Efficiency for federal employees to leave the workforce and reduce the size of the federal government. Read more. Sarah Dolgin –
Longtime National Park Service Ecologist Leaving Chattanooga Post Amid DOGE Cuts Read More »
Discover the hidden wildlife of The Nature Conservancy’s Bridgestone Nature Reserve at Chestnut Mountain in a new Cool Green Science feature—capturing timber rattlesnakes basking on rocky ridges and coyotes roaming the forest through stunning camera trap footage. This once-private, 5,763-acre retreat is now a protected preserve and a vital hub for ecological research. Get a
Camera Trap Chronicles at The Nature Conservancy’s Bridgestone Reserve Read More »
A photography project for 2025, where each month I present several of my favorite photos taken during the preceding month. May seems to have presented extra opportunities for photography. Watch next month for June’s photos. All photos by Bob Butters. In case you missed it, check out April’s photos here.
Bob’s Best Shots – May Read More »
Since 2010, the Tennessee River Valley MapGuide has helped attract visitors and drive dollars into local economies. The MapGuide site features nearly 1,700 points of interest across the seven-state region. From family-owned restaurants and roadside attractions to outdoor adventures and historic landmarks, each listing invites travelers to experience the region through the perspective of local
Tennessee River Valley MapGuide Spotlights Region’s Attractions Read More »
At this national historic park at the junction of three Southern states, you can explore the paths of bison, Native Americans, and Daniel Boone at a hidden outdoor gem in the Appalachian Mountains. Read more. Mike Bezemek – Blue Ridge Outdoors Photo: Blue Ridge Outdoors
Passing Through Cumberland Gap Read More »
TennGreen Land Conservancy and The Conservation Fund recently announced the acquisition of 82 acres of forested land that will be added to the Blackburn Fork Wildlife Management Area in Jackson County, Tennessee. This strategic purchase protects approximately 1.25 miles of land along Blackburn Fork State Scenic River and its tributaries, furthering efforts to protect and enhance the
Blackburn Fork Wildlife Management Area Expanded by 80+ Acres Read More »
The South Chickamauga Creek Greenway sustained significant damage from storms in May, causing Chattanooga Parks and Outdoors to close a section of the boardwalk. Read more. Kailee Shores – Chattanooga Times Free Press Photo: Chattanooga Times Free Press
The Tennessee Supreme Court heard oral arguments last week in a dispute over whether Grundy County has the authority to stop a private company from operating a sand mine. The state attorney general sided with the county, records show. Read more. Ben Benton – Chattanooga Times Free Press Photo: Stop the Jump Off Quarry
Tennessee Attorney General Opposes Grundy County Sand Mine Read More »