Burgess Falls Partnering with Girl Scouts, Master Gardeners, to Restore Native Plants

SPARTA, Tenn. – Burgess Falls State Park and Natural Area staff will team up with the White County Girl Scouts and Putnam County Master Gardeners for a volunteer workday on Saturday, April 25, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the park.

 

The three groups will work together to plant more than 1,100 native shrubs, ferns, trees and wildflowers on several acres along the River Trail, which was cleared of invasive exotic plants in February. The new native plants will help keep visitors on the trail and protect native habitat. The volunteers also will do maintenance work on the 2006 Governor’s Award-winning Butterfly Garden and the park’s playground.

 

More than 115 Girl Scouts are signed up to attend the volunteer workday, along with nearly 50 parents, representing 11 White County Girl Scout troops. Park staff and the Master Gardeners will provide instruction and information about the plantings and other projects.

 

“We’re appreciative of the Girl Scout and Master Gardener volunteers who are committed to pitching in to make this project successful,” said Burgess Falls State Park Manager Bill Summers. “In addition to restoring native habitat, we hope to share valuable information about our area’s native species with our Girl Scout volunteers, and with park visitors.”

 

The native plants are being purchased through the Tennessee Iris Fund, which is funded through the sale of Tennessee State Parks license plates. Under the Iris Fund program, individual state parks nominate landscaping projects to re-establish native trees, flowers, plants and shrubs, to establish or re-establish wildlife habitat and to use native species as a visual "screen" for chain link fences, maintenance areas, water tanks, utility equipment and more.  

 

Burgess Falls is a 350-acre park, which lies on the rugged Eastern Highland Rim in Putnam and White counties. It is noted for its sheer bluffs, narrow ridges, waterfalls and diverse forests. Tennessee's 53 state parks offer diverse natural, recreational and cultural experiences for individuals, families or business and professional groups. State park features range from pristine natural areas to 18-hole championship golf courses.

 

For additional information about Tennessee State Parks, visit the Web site at www.tnstateparks.com or call 1-888-867-2757 for a free brochure. More information about Tennessee’s natural areas program can be found at www.tn.gov/environment/na/.

 

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