Norris Lake Project Celebrates 15 Years of Conservation Stewardship and Community Service
Dedicated volunteers helping ensure Tennessee River Valley recreation treasures are valued and protected in perpetuity
The Norris Lake Project, an all-volunteer organization dedicated to the preservation and perpetual improvement of Norris Lake and its surrounding communities, proudly announces its 15th anniversary of service.
Since its founding in 2009, the Norris Lake Project (NLP) has been committed to safeguarding the natural beauty and enhancing recreational opportunities throughout the scenic Norris Lake, which is spread across 34,000 surface acres and surrounded by over 800 miles of shoreline.
Over the past decade and a half, NLP has removed more than a million pounds of trash from the sprawling reservoir, its shores and feeder streams.
Fortunately, and in no small part due to NLP’s enduring labors of ecological love, the year-to-year mass of man-made debris removed from the waters and surrounding lands of Norris Lake has been declining. NLP members plan to encourage that prideworthy trend by remaining steadfast in their mission of maintaining Norris Lake’s gleaming reputation as a picturesque multi-use gem of the Tennessee River Valley’s 9 Lakes Region for generations to come.
Initially formed to address litter concerns impacting tourism across the East Tennessee counties of Anderson, Union, Campbell, Claiborne and Grainger, the NLP has evolved into a multifaceted organization dedicated to environmental education, community engagement and a multitude of conservation initiatives.
In addition to organizing two large-scale clean-up events annually, the NLP facilitates student learning programs, maintains the Norris Area Trail System, and most recently has begun managing roadside cleanup efforts and improving interpretive features along the historic Norris Freeway, which was designated a National Scenic Byway in 2021.
“The dedicated volunteers of the Norris Lake Project have a rich history of investing their time and efforts to enhance our Norris Lake communities,” said Julie Graham, executive director for the Middle East Tennessee Tourism Council. “Their hard work not only showcases the value of our recreational areas, but also ensures their preservation.”
On March 23, the NLP volunteers will embark on their annual 5 County Clean-up.
Through strategic partnerships and logistical coordination with local homeowner associations, student groups, civic organizations, Keep America Beautiful affiliates and marinas, the NLP’s day-long springtime beautification event is dedicated to putting a serious and immediate dent in unsightly, damaging and potentially dangerous garbage that’s accumulated in the watershed over the previous 12 months.
Operating as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the Norris Lake Project is fueled purely by the dedication and commitment of its members and supporters. With no paid staff or board, the NLP relies on generous contributions from like-minded citizens and marina businesses, as well as Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) and the Tennessee Valley Authority, which supports conservation and shoreline cleanup efforts throughout the great river basin by providing resources for trash bags, gloves, litter grabbers and dumpster rentals.
As the Volunteer State, Tennessee prides itself on collaborative engagement, cooperative commitment and community teamwork. The activities of the Norris Lake Project exemplify the spirit of volunteerism and serve as a beacon of leadership for preserving the scenic landscapes and invaluable aquatic habitats of East Tennessee and beyond.
“Participating in these efforts is not just about making the environment healthier, but also about fostering a sense of community and shared responsibility for our natural heritage,” said Graham. “From the legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps building Norris Dam during the Great Depression to the creation of our beloved parks, heritage sites and trails, community volunteers continue to uphold and protect these cherished spaces. Sustaining these treasures demands ongoing commitment and passion.”
America’s Wilderness Act- 60 Years of Conservation
2024 marks the 60th anniversary of America’s Wilderness Act. This milestone is not just a time for reflection on conservation achievements, but also an opportunity to recognize the untapped potential these protected wilderness areas hold for local communities fortunate enough to be situated near them.
The 1964 Wilderness Act, with its foresight in preserving ecologically significant habitats, has over the years become a beacon for local economies. Beyond safeguarding sensitive landscapes, these wilderness areas offer a unique and highly marketable asset to communities eager to embrace adventure tourism.
The landmark legislation, signed by President Lyndon Johnson in September 1964, established the National Wilderness Preservation System and provided a legal definition of wilderness in the United States. According to the Act, wilderness is an area where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man, and man himself is a visitor who does not remain. It further defines wilderness as an area of undeveloped Federal land retaining its primeval character and influence, without permanent improvements or human habitation, which is protected and managed to preserve its natural conditions. These areas are recognized for their outstanding opportunities for solitude or a primitive and unconfined type of recreation, and for their ecological, geological, or other features of scientific, educational, scenic, or historical value.
In short, the Wilderness Act created a way for the federal government to protect some of its most precious and pristine public wildlands for future generations.
Throughout 2024, the TRV Stewardship Council’s geotourism web portal, ExploreTRV.com, will spotlight breathtaking wilderness areas within the Tennessee River basin watershed. Across the region there are more than 25 designated federal wilderness tracts, ranging from one of the smallest in the country to one of the largest such areas in the Eastern United States. Adventure seekers and geo-travelers are increasingly drawn to destinations that prioritize nature protection and cultural authenticity. Communities and local service and lodging providers in Southern Appalachia, with its wealth of protected wilderness areas, are poised for sustainable economic growth as the appeal of seeking genuine encounters with the wild continues to gain popularity among both American and international vacationers.
As we celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Wilderness Act, the TRV Stewardship Council invites local community leaders, organizations, and citizens to recognize the immense value that these protected wilderness areas provide. By embracing and promoting these landscapes, communities have the opportunity to better position themselves as destinations for adventure tourism, fostering economic growth while preserving key aspects of what makes their regions exciting and unique.
Robert Trent Jones- A Legacy of Golf Landscape Architecture
Land use and design have become critical in this era of climate change and land pressures. When once design was more about building challenging courses without regard to water use or run-off, today’s golf course architects have become immersed in conservation and preservation of these properties.
A trailblazer for golf course design, Robert Trent Jones was a British- American architect who designed over 500 courses in 45 countries. He was known for his innovative design style, which combined natural landscapes with challenging golf holes. He had a significant impact on the development of modern golf course design, and his courses are considered some of the best in the world.
However, Jones’ early courses were criticized for their lack of environmental concern. Many of them required large amounts of earth-moving and significant changes to the natural landscape, leading to the loss of wildlife habitat and other environmental impacts. In response to these concerns, Jones began to incorporate more conservation-minded practices into his designs.
Jones started to use more natural materials, such as native grasses, and worked to preserve natural habitats and protect wildlife. He also began to design courses with fewer earth-moving operations, opting instead to work with the natural contours of the land. This approach helped to minimize the impact of his courses on the environment, while still maintaining the challenging and exciting golf experience that he was known for.
Since Jones incorporated this style, it has become very popular among modern course designers as the more natural style has replaced the aging tree-lined old country club design common in the early 1900’s. As a golfer who has played hundreds of historic country club designs as well as the more modern “take what you get” from the landscape design I believe the natural design is a more enjoyable experience as it gives you a greater ability to connect with the natural earth. However, these courses tend to be more challenging as there are more places to lose your ball when there are thick native grasses, as well as bluffs and cliffs to deflect your ball.
In addition to his design work, Jones was also a strong advocate for conservation and environmental responsibility in the golf industry. He encouraged other architects to follow his lead and incorporate environmentally-friendly practices into their courses. His influence has been felt throughout the industry, and many courses today are designed with conservation in mind. Both of his sons- Robert Trent Jones Jr and Rees Jones who advocate for conservation practices for golf course design.
Overall, Robert Trent Jones was a visionary in the world of golf course design, and his path towards making his courses more conservation-minded had a lasting impact on the industry. By combining his passion for golf with his commitment to environmental responsibility, he helped to shape the future of golf course design and set a standard for sustainability in the industry.
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