Tennessee Celebrates National Trails Day June 2, 2007

Nashville, Tenn. – Tennesseans are encouraged to participate in a range of diverse activities at State Natural Areas and Tennessee State Parks in celebration of National Trails Day on Saturday, June 2, 2007.

The celebration coincides with the American Hiking Society’s celebration of its 15 th annual National Trails Day, which is the largest single-day trails and outdoor celebration in the country. Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to get outside and participate in more than 1,000 events taking place in local, state and national parks, forests and other public lands from coast to coast. Activities include hiking, biking, horseback riding, paddling, trail dedications and work projects and more.

In Tennessee, the Department of Environment and Conservation’s Division of State Natural Areas is offering activities in east, middle and west Tennessee natural areas, including:

• Volunteer trail maintenance at House Mountain State Natural Area north of Knoxville in Knox County;
• Hiking at Savage Gulf State Natural Area near Cagle and Gruetli-Laager in Grundy County;
• Hiking at Carroll Cabin Barrens State Natural Areas near Bath Springs in Decatur County.

“The majority of Tennessee’s hiking trails on its parks and natural areas are built and maintained with the help of volunteer labor,” said Environment and Conservation Commissioner Jim Fyke. “National Trails Day provides us with an opportunity to celebrate the hard work, dedication and countless volunteer hours contributed by friends groups, community and non-profit organizations, corporate sponsors and government agencies across Tennessee.”

“Hiking is an ideal nature-based recreational activity that offers Tennesseans an opportunity to get outside, get moving and experience the wonders of our natural world,” said Reggie Reeves, director of the Division of Natural Areas.

Tennessee has 77 State Natural Areas covering approximately 110,000 acres of ecologically significant lands throughout the state that protect habitat for rare species and natural communities. For more information on Tennessee’s State Natural Areas, visit www.tdec.net/na.

“I encourage all Tennesseans to take advantage of the opportunity to join in this national celebration at a State Natural Area, state park or other public land,” said Fyke.

Since 1993, the American Hiking Society has set aside the first Saturday in June as National Trails Day, bringing together outdoor enthusiasts to participate in educational exhibits, trail dedications, gear demonstrations, instructional workshops and trail projects. It also provides an opportunity to recognize the many volunteers, land managing agencies, and outdoor-minded businesses for their support in developing and maintaining trails.

Brief program descriptions and contact information is attached for National Trails Day events in Tennessee involving the Department of Environment and Conservation. For further information, call 615-532-0431 or visit Environment and Conservation’s Division of Natural Heritage Web site at www.tdec.net/nh.

National Trails Day Events at Tennessee State Natural Areas

EAST TENNESSEE

Trail Maintenance and Repairs at House Mountain State Natural Area
Location: House Mountain State Natural Area, Knox County
Date: Saturday, June 2, 2007
Time: 9:00 a.m. EDT
Leader: Lisa Huff, Stewardship Ecologist, Tennessee Division of Natural Areas
Reservations required: Contact Lisa Huff at (865) 594-5601 or lisa.huff@state.tn.us

Description: To celebrate National Trails Day, the Tennessee Division of Natural Areas will be hosting a trail repair and maintenance day at House Mountain State Natural Area. The Mountain Trail at House Mountain State Natural Area has numerous places in need of repairs, including installation of water bars and water diversions, building steps, blocking trail shortcuts, and repairing switchbacks. Volunteers will be limited to eight (8) people. Volunteers should bring work gloves, wear long pants and sturdy footwear, and bring water and food. We will work from 9 a.m. until about 3 p.m. For more information about House Mountain State Natural Area, see: http://www.state.tn.us/environment/nh/natareas/housemtn/

MIDDLE TENNESSEE

Stone Door Hike
Location: Meet at the Nashville Target store parking lot off of Bell Road near Hickory Hollow.
Date: Saturday, June 2, 2007
Time: 7:00 a.m. CDT
Leader: Forrest Evans, Stewardship Ecologist, Tennessee Division of Natural Areas
Reservations required: RSVP by June 1st to Forrest Evans at 615-532-0431 or Forrest.Evans@state.tn.us. The first 10 reservations can take advantage of van transportation provided by the Tennessee Natural Areas Program.

Description: Celebrate National Trails Day with the Tennessee Division of Natural Areas on a journey through the springtime beauty of one of Tennessee’s best-loved natural areas, the Savage Gulf State Natural Area. We will take the strenuous 10.6 mile Stone Door to Greeter Falls loop, but after the exhausting climb out of the gulf we may take the short cut and then drive to Greeter Falls. This trail descends 600 feet into the gulf at the Great Stone Door and continues along the creek and climbs out as you go towards Greeter Falls. We will not go if it is raining or it is predicted to rain so consult the weather reports before the trip. Dress appropriately, wear sturdy boots, and bring plenty of water and lunch. For more information about Savage Gulf State Natural Area, see http://www.state.tn.us/environment/na/natareas/savage/.

SOUTH CENTRAL TENNESSEE

Tims Ford State Park – Trailbuilding to Expand the Old Spann House Trail
Location: Meet at the Tims Ford State Park office located off Mansford Road in Winchester (Franklin County)
Date: Saturday, June 2, 2007
Time: 9:00 a.m. CDT
For Information: Call the park office at (931) 962-1184.

Description: Tims Ford State Park will be hosting a volunteer trail construction day in honor of National Trails Day to expand the Old Spann House Trail. The event will begin at 9:00 a.m. and continue to 2:00 p.m. Please bring a lunch and water bottle. Water to refill your bottle and tools will be furnished. For more information on Tims Ford State Park or directions, see: www.tnstateparks.com/timsford.

WEST TENNESSEE

Carroll Cabin Barrens State Natural Area Hike
Location: Carroll Cabin Barrens State Natural Area, Bath Springs (Decatur County)
Date: Saturday, June 2, 2007
Time: 10 a.m. CDT
Leader: Chad Harden, Stewardship Ecologist, Tennessee Division of Natural Areas
Sponsor: Tennessee Division of Natural Heritage
Reservations required: Contact Chad Harden at (731) 512-1369 or Charles.Harden@state.tn.us.

Description: Celebrate National Trails Day with the Tennessee Division of Natural Areas with a hike on the recently completed loop trail along the wooded ridges, limestone barrens and cedar glades on the west bank of the Tennessee River. Learn about the reason for the state’s interest in preserving the property and what makes it a significant natural area worthy of protection. The trail is a moderately strenuous two-mile loop covering 200 feet in elevation change and providing an excellent hilltop view across the Tennessee River. Wear sturdy shoes, bring water and a snack, and dress appropriately for the weather. For more information about Carroll Cabin Barrens State Natural Area, see http://www.state.tn.us/environment/na/natareas/carrollcabin/.