For immediate release September 22, 2008
ENVIRONMENT AND CONSERVATION CELEBRATES
NATIONAL PUBLIC LANDS DAY IN TENNESSEE
Volunteerism Protects, Preserves Shared Natural Resources
Nashville, Tenn. – The Department of Environment and Conservation invites the public to take part in volunteer activities planned across Tennessee in celebration of National Public Lands Day on Sept. 27.
National Public Lands Day is the nation's largest one-day, volunteer stewardship event. Organizers seek to honor the legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps in protecting America's public lands. Last year, more than 110,000 people volunteered at 1,300 natural sites across the country, building trails, planting trees and removing litter to improve America’s shared lands for all who visit them.
“The department’s Division of Natural Areas has a tradition of organizing public volunteer activities across the state to observe National Public Lands Day,” said Environment and Conservation Commissioner Jim Fyke. “In addition, we’ve partnered with the Department of Health and Get Fit Tennessee to hold an event at Montgomery Bell State Park that will be fun for the whole family. We appreciate Tennesseans’ continued support of our public lands.”
National Public Lands Day is an annual program of the National Environmental Education Foundation, chartered by Congress in 1990 as a private nonprofit organization to develop and to support environmental learning programs to meet social goals and build partnerships among government, the private sector and non-governmental organizations. Those interested in organizing a National Public Lands Day project or volunteering can call 800-VOL-TEER (800-865-8337), or go to www.publiclandsday.org.
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation will sponsor volunteer stewardship projects in each grand division of the state in recognition of Public Lands Day. Public Lands Day activities planned in Tennessee on Sept. 27 include:
In Middle Tennessee:
Get Fit in the Park, Montgomery Bell State Park, Dickson County
Get Fit Tennessee and Tennessee State Parks will host Get Fit in the Park, an event for the entire family. Activities run from 10 a.m. until Noon, but attendees are encouraged to stay and enjoy the park all day. Activities will include hiking, games, canoeing, music, biking and giveaways. Health Commissioner Susan Cooper will team with Environment and Conservation Commissioner Jim Fyke to promote the fun ways people can use Tennessee’s award-winning state parks to live a healthy, active lifestyle. Get Fit in the Park organizers will provide garbage bags for anyone interested in picking up litter while enjoying the trails and lake at Montgomery Bell. More information about the park, including directions, can be found at www.tnstateparks.com/MontgomeryBell.
Trail Maintenance, Flat Rock Cedar Glades and Barrens State Natural Area, Rutherford County
Learn more about this spectacular state natural area and help support it by helping to maintain the trail system. Trail maintenance will include raking, digging and cutting. Volunteer activities will run from 10 a.m. until approximately 2 p.m. All tools will be provided, and participants should bring lunch and water and wear sturdy shoes and layered clothing. To reserve space for this activity, please contact Forrest Evans at 615-532-0431 or forrest.evans@state.tn.us.
East Tennessee
Trails and Farmstead Maintenance, Hampton Creek Cove State Natural Area, Carter County
This breathtaking state natural area is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of the Roan Highlands. Volunteers can help support the site by helping to maintain the trail system. Work will run from 10 a.m. until approximately 3 p.m., and will focus on the Shell Hollow Trail and the Birchfield Trail. Activities will include raking, digging and cutting. All tools will be provided. Bring lunch and water, and wear layered clothes and sturdy footwear. To reserve space for this activity, please contact Lisa Huff at 865-594-5601 or lisa.huff@state.tn.us.
West Tennessee
Invasive Exotic Plant Control, Riverwoods State Natural Area, Shelby County
Riverwoods is a 21-acre natural area located along the Wolf River in Germantown in Shelby County. Channelization of the Wolf River has greatly reduced flooding in the area, which in turn has caused significant drying of forest soils. This has allowed invasive exotic plants to colonize, including Privet and Japanese honeysuckle. Work at the site will begin at 9 a.m. and will include removing exotic species by cutting and applying herbicide. All tools will be provided. Bring lunch and water, and wear layered clothes and sturdy footwear. To reserve space for this activity, please contact Allan Trently at 731-512-1369 or allan.trently@state.tn.us.
For more information, including descriptions, maps and directions, for these or any of Tennessee’s 79 designated state natural areas, visit the Web site at www.tn.gov/environment/na.
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For more information contact: Tisha Calabrese-Benton |
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