Bredesen Proclaims April 15-21 Tennessee State Natural Areas Week

Nashville, Tenn. – Governor Phil Bredesen has proclaimed April 15-21 Tennessee State Natural Areas Week, and Tennesseans are encouraged to join in a weeklong celebration with activities such as wildflower hikes, guided tours and volunteer stewardship activities.

“Tennessee is blessed with some of the most beautiful and fruitful land and water on the face of the earth, and our State Natural Areas help ensure that the special places that make up Tennessee’s landscape are preserved and protected into the future,” said Bredesen.

The State Natural Areas Program provides long-term protection for rare, threatened and endangered plant and animal life. They also protect ecologically sensitive areas, areas of geological and archaeological interest, and areas of great scenic beauty. First established in 1971 by the Tennessee Natural Areas Preservation Act, today there are 75 state natural areas covering nearly 108,000 acres.

“Much like 36 years ago when the public realized the importance of protecting special places and generated significant support for the Natural Areas Preservation Act, people today are interested in understanding and conserving unique landscapes across Tennessee,” said Environment and Conservation Commissioner Jim Fyke. “Tennessee’s State Natural Areas reassure citizens that some of our most ecologically significant land is being protected for future generations while also available for public enjoyment now.”

The week includes a full schedule of events in many of these 75 natural areas. Whether your interest is in a canoe float, cave exploration or wildflower or birding hike, there is a wide variety of interesting activities planned to engage Tennesseans in appreciating and enjoying these special places.

“I encourage Tennessee residents to take advantage of the rich diversity found in the plants, animals and forests of our distinctive regions,” said Fyke.  ”Some of the nation’s most outstanding species and natural features are found in our State Natural Areas.”

The full schedule of activities is online at: www.tdec.net/na/pdf/naweek07.pdf.

Or call 615-532-0431 for schedules and information. Many activities require reservations, so please call early to assure an opportunity to participate.

Overview of Activities by Region

Events in East Tennessee will include:

• Join a wildflower and bird hike at House Mountain State Natural Area in Knox County to experience a diversity of spring wildflowers and early songbird migrants, and perhaps even hear a ruffed grouse drumming
• Take part in the family oriented Owl Prowl at Ijams Nature Center in Knox County, which includes a short presentation about owls native to the area, then a walk through the nature center looking and listening for its resident owls.
• Take an interpretive walk along the Black Oak Ridge Proposed State Conservation Area in Roane County to see spring wildflowers
• Visit Hampton Creek Cove State Natural Area in Carter County to see the wildlife in this Audubon Society designated Important Bird Area and early spring wildflowers

Events on the Cumberland Plateau will include:

• Visit Carter Caves State Natural Area in Franklin County to hike to Buggytop Cave, then through the cave to experience the interesting ecology and geology of this area
• Visit Savage Gulf State Natural Area in Grundy County for a famed Collins Gulf wildflower hike where you will see brilliant spring bouquets of trillium, phacelia and trout lily, as well as Sutter Falls, one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the area
• See the vertical rock walls at the Walls of Jericho State Natural Area in Franklin County on a new section of trail
• Experience waterfalls of the Middle Plateau as well as spring wildflowers with a hike to Stinging Fork Falls and Piney Falls in Rhea County
• Visit Laurel Snow State Natural Area in Rhea County for a hike featuring scenic creeks, steep gorges and a wide variety of plants
• Explore one of Tennessee’s newest state natural areas with an off-trail “bushwack” hike into Pogue Creek State Natural Area in Fentress County
• Join a group to visit Colditz Cove State Natural Area in Fentress County to experience first hand one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Tennessee, Northrup Falls, which plunges nearly 60 feet into a beautiful pool in the gorge filled will magnificent old growth hemlock, white pine trees, and lush rhododendron growing along the creek as it cascades through boulders
• Visit Virgin Falls State Natural Area in White County for a guided nature hike through an area with several waterfalls and caves
• Hike to the famous Twin Arches State Natural Area in Scott County for a look at the arches and nearby Cumberland Plateau sandstone rockhouses along with two rare plants in Tennessee – the Cumberland sandwort and Lucy Braun’s white snakeroot
• Hike to Honey Creek State Natural area in the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area in Scott County

Events in Middle Tennessee will include:

• Visit Stillhouse Hollow Falls State Natural Area in Maury County for a hike featuring spring wildflowers and waterfalls
• Hike at the Duck River Complex State Natural Area in Maury County where you can see spectacular bluffs overlooking the Duck River, as well as spring wildflowers, wildlife and the surrounding caves, bluffs, glades, and open areas along the river
• Take a guided nature hike at Montgomery Bell State Natural Area in Dickson County
• Take a rugged off-trail hike to a rarely visited state natural area, Washmorgan Hollow, in Jackson County for a look at spring wildflowers and wildlife
• Join a group for a tour of the Stones River National Battlefield in Rutherford County, which contains a unique natural area. Topics of discussion will include the battle between invasive exotic plants and the native plants that evolved here
• Visit Taylor Hollow State Natural Area in Sumner County for a spectacular wildflower hike
• Join a group for a wildflower hike at Couchville Cedar Glades State Natural Area in Davidson County where unique assemblages of rare and common plants that occur only in these globally rare ecosystems
• Visit Short Springs State Natural Area in Coffee County where you will see some of middle Tennessee’s beautiful spring wildflowers and waterfalls

Events in West Tennessee will include:

• Join a wildlife education program, float a canoe or pontoon boat or take a wildflower hike at Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park and Natural Area in Shelby County
• Join a canoe float at the Ghost River Natural Areas in Fayette County where you can follow a winding channel through cypress-tupelo forests and wetlands habitats
• Paddle from lake to lake while observing waterfowl, wading birds, shorebirds, and forest songbirds at Sunk Lake State Natural Area in Lauderdale County
• Experience a deep swamp canoe float into remote parts of Reelfoot Lake State Natural Area in Lake and Obion Counties where a variety of wildlife and birds, an eagle nest, and old growth cypress forest can been seen up close
• Hike the loop trail along limestone barrens and cedar glades at Carroll Cabin Barrens Natural Area in Decatur County

All of these exciting trips and more are being offered at natural areas throughout Tennessee as we celebrate State Natural Areas Week. For trip details and a complete schedule of events, visit www.tdec.net/na/pdf/naweek07.pdf or call 615-532-0431.

For more information about the Tennessee State Natural Areas program, visit www.tdec.net/nh.

For more information contact:

Dana Coleman
Office (615) 253-1916