A recent Outside article by Graham Averill features four popular hiking destinations around Chattanooga. Read more. Note: Primary areas of North Chickamauga Creek Gorge State Park are currently closed for a year or so for improvement work. View a map showing the area that’s closed and areas and trailheads that remain open.
Outside Features Best Hikes Around Chattanooga Read More »
Equipped with crowbars, saws and loppers, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga students are clearing and rebuilding overgrown trails as part of a new Trail Building and Management course. Students in the Department of Health and Human Performance’s Sport, Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Management (SORT) program are making a positive impact on the Chattanooga community by
UTC Program Trains Students in Trail Building and Conservation Read More »
This spring the staff at the Paint Rock Forest Research Center has begun a first-of-its-kind project—one that will have wide-reaching implications for the future of Southeastern forests. Partnering with HudsonAlpha Institute of Biotechnology through an ADECA grant, they’re developing full DNA sequences for multiple species of trees common on the 150-acre Paint Rock Forest Dynamics Plot. Read
Sequencing a Forest at the Paint Rock Research Center Read More »
TennGreen Land Conservancy hosted its sixth annual Hike-a-Thon in April, with a record 1,398 participants and sponsors raising $306,946 for the environmental nonprofit. Participants from different categories—hikers, paddlers, bikers, runners, and climbers—competed in a friendly contest for exciting prizes donated by top sponsors. In total, participants explored a record 17,836 miles across 41 U.S. states and
Hike-a-Thon 2026 Raises $306,946 For Tennessee Conservation Read More »
Spotlight: Southeast Unknown to many, Alabama is one of the most biodiverse states in America. I recently ran across three articles highlighting the work being done to conserve some of the unique ecosystems which support this biodiversity. BB Can Alabama Restore its Lost Prairies? Alabama’s native grasslands and prairies once stretched across large portions of the state,
Conserving Alabama’s Biodiversity Read More »
The ruffed grouse, a chicken-sized bird known for the drumming sound it makes to attract a mate, is a popular game species. In Appalachia, its range extends down the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Cumberland Plateau to the southern border of Tennessee. An article by Debra Murray at The Appalachian Voice explains what’s behind the
Saving the Ruffed Grouse, Appalachia’s Woodland Drummer Read More »
The Appalachian Conservation Institute (ACI) currently protects nearly 11,000 acres of contiguous land along the Little Sequatchie River, providing a critical corridor for wildlife. The latest newsletter from ACI includes the following reports: View the ACI Late Spring 2026 Newsletter. Logo: ACI
Managing Nature at Little Sequatchie Cove Read More »
This year, Greater Chattanooga participated in the City Nature Challenge, and we knocked it out of the park! (See earlier post.) From April 24 through May 3, our regional community went out into nature to observe and identify plants, animals, fungi, and other wild organisms. Together, we logged 3,838 observations and 1,342 identifications—all from 345 people! Globally, all participants made over
Results of City Nature Challenge Read More »
Blueways TN, through the Tennessee Office of Outdoor Recreation, is building Recreation Master Plans for all 15 initial Blueways TN rivers: This quick survey will help provide feedback from across the state about river conservation, safety, public access and other priorities. Take survey here, learn more at BluewaysTN.com Tennessee Dept. of Tourist Development Logo: Blueways TN
Blueways TN Launches Survey for Feedback on Conservation, Safety, and More Read More »
The removal of Harms Mill Dam in Lincoln County has restored the Elk River to its natural state, and the benefits are immeasurable. The completion of the project has reestablished a free-flowing river, enhanced ecological health, and allows aquatic species to pass freely throughout the river. It also offers a safer and more enjoyable experience
Dam’s Removal Provides Benefits for Elk River Read More »