GOVERNOR BREDESEN PROCLAIMS SEPT. 30 PUBLIC LANDS DAY IN TENNESSEE
Nashville, Tenn. – Governor Phil Bredesen has proclaimed Saturday, September 30, 2006, as Public Lands Day in Tennessee. The proclamation coincides with National Public Lands Day celebrations being held across the country.
"It is personally important to me to preserve and protect public lands for the benefit and enjoyment of future generations,” said Bredesen. “That’s why I’m extremely pleased that this year, with the support of the General Assembly, we have added six new designated State Natural Areas with a combined total of more than 4,200 acres that will be protected under Tennessee’s State Natural Areas Program.”
State Natural Areas (SNA) are ecologically significant, protected lands that represent some of the state's most unique places. Tennessee’s State Natural Areas program oversees the protection of 75 designated SNAs across the state comprising more than 108,000 acres. Public access is provided to many of these natural areas, many of which are maintained by volunteers. The six new natural areas designated this year include: Pogue Creek SNA in Fentress County; Stillhouse Hollow Falls SNA in Maury County; Rugby SNA in Morgan County; the Walls of Jericho SNA in Franklin County; and the Campbell Bend and Crowder Cemetery SNAs in Roane County.
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 with the goal of mobilizing 100,000 volunteers to make a major difference at 1,000 sites nationwide. Last year, 80,000 people turned out at 800 locations across the country.
National Public Lands Day is an annual program of the National Environmental Education & Training Foundation, chartered by Congress in 1990 as a private nonprofit organization to develop and 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.neefusa.org/npld.
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation will sponsor several volunteer stewardship projects in recognition of Public Lands Day ranging from trail building to litter cleanup. Public Lands Day Activities planned in Tennessee on Saturday, September 30, include:
In West Tennessee:
Riverwoods State Natural Area Opening, Germantown (Shelby County)
Riverwoods State Natural Area will be officially opened to the public
for the first time since it was designated as a state natural area in
1977 as the result of a cooperative effort between the Memphis Garden
Club, City of Germantown, Wolf River Conservancy, Tennessee Department
of Environment and Conservation and other public and private partners.
Commissioner of Environment and Conservation Jim Fyke will represent Governor Bredesen at a ribbon cutting celebrating the opening of Riverwoods hosted by the Germantown Parks and Recreation Department on Friday. The 21-acre Riverwoods SNA will soon be put into public ownership to be managed cooperatively by the two agencies.
On Saturday, join representatives of the State Natural Areas Division, Germantown Parks and Recreation, the Memphis Garden Club, and the Wolf River Conservancy from 9:00 until 12:00 noon for guided hikes and information about Riverwoods, the Wolf River and programs of the participating organizations. For more information, please call Germantown Parks and Recreation at (901) 757-7376.
Directions: Exit I-40 at Germantown Rd. Follow Germantown Rd south under Walnut Grove and across the Wolf River. Turn left at Wolf River Parkway. As Wolf River Parkway curves right, look for a gravel parking area immediately across from the Kimborough Grove neighborhood entrance.
In Middle Tennessee:
Short Springs State Natural Area, Tullahoma (Coffee County)
Volunteers will help build steps and a portion of trail to the new bridge
across Bobo Creek where additional work will take place to extend the
new trail this winter. Other volunteers will pick up litter along the
road. Volunteers should meet at 10:00 a.m. and bring gloves, water and
a sack lunch. The work should be completed by 3:00 p.m. To volunteer,
please call (615) 741-9205 or e-mail [email protected]
so work crews can be coordinated in advance.
Directions: Proceeding north on Jackson St. (US 41A), from the business district, turn right on Hogan St., and turn left on Country Club Dr. Country Club Dr. becomes Short Springs Rd.; follow for several miles to the Short Springs water tower on the right. Short Springs Natural Area is on the left.
In East Tennessee:
Hampton Creek Cove State Natural Area (Carter County)
Volunteers will install trail signs and trail blazing, map trails with
GPS devices, and begin building a footbridge. Volunteers should meet at
9:00 a.m. and bring gloves, water and snacks. Layered clothing, rain gear
and boots or appropriate footwear are recommended. Work will continue
until approximately 3:00 p.m., but schedules are flexible and all contributions
of time are welcomed. A limited number of volunteers may camp at a cabin
on site on Friday and Saturday nights with advanced permission only. To
volunteer or inquire about camping, please call (865) 594-5601 or e-mail
[email protected].
Directions: From Elizabethton, take U.S. Highway 321/19E through Hampton and then continue on 19E to the Town of Roan Mountain. From the Town of Roan Mountain, take State Route 143 south, turning left on Stratton Street. Turn right at the first stop sign then bear left on West Street. Take the first right on Old Highway 143, then turn left on the bridge that crosses the creek (across from the old school building), and follow it to Hampton Creek Cove. The parking area is on the left just past Gray's Chapel approximately three miles from the Town of Roan Mountain.
For more information about the State Natural Areas Program or any of the 75 designated State Natural Areas in Tennessee.
| For more information contact: Dana Coleman
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