Volunteer in the Tennessee River Valley – A New Year’s Resolution for 2021
TVA and the Tennessee River Valley Stewardship Council have a commitment to preserve and protect the natural assets while honoring the rich history and heritage of those that call this Valley home. Locals and visitors have many opportunities to volunteer to help protect and conserve the area’s natural resources for future generations to enjoy.
Making a new year’s resolution is a tradition for many Americans. While the more popular resolution Americans gravitate toward is becoming more physically fit and healthy, volunteer work is a very rewarding activity to consider as a goal in 2021. With the Tennessee River Valley covering over 290,000 acres of public land and 11,000 miles of shoreline, there are many ways to volunteer and to get involved with conservation and cleanup efforts.
Over 650 miles long, the Tennessee River snakes through seven states, playing an integral role in each state’s economy, tourism and quality of life. It is one of the most ecologically important river systems in the country and thousands of visitors make their way to participate in the world-class recreation found throughout the region. To help maintain and protect the valuable resources found in the Tennessee River Valley, there are opportunities that range from archaeology to conservation education and from trail maintenance to fish and wildlife education for individuals, groups and businesses to take part in and instill a legacy of conservation.
“For those who enjoy getting out in nature and have a passion for conservation, consider becoming a volunteer with the Tennessee Valley Authority,” said Julie Graham, spokesperson for the Tennessee River Valley Stewardship Council. “If everyone plays a small role, whether its removing trash and debris from the shorelines or monitoring archaeological sites for vandalism, the work will help retain the natural beauty and recreational assets of the Tennessee River Valley region for future generations to enjoy.”
Every February, staff members along with volunteers come together to clean-up the Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge and the surrounding community. The next Litter Day will take place on February 20, 2021. A volunteer services agreement can be downloaded at https://www.fws.gov/refuge/Clarks_River/what_we_do/get_involved.html.
Nestled in the mountains of East Tennessee, Norris Lake is one of the cleanest lakes in the Tennessee Valley Authority’s system and a popular destination for outdoor recreation. The five counties that contain Norris Lake come together to conduct bi-annual cleanups. The first cleanup scheduled in 2021 is set for Saturday, March 27 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information or to register for the cleanup, call 800-524-3602 or visit www.norrislakeproject.com.
There are plenty of opportunities to become involved in the 170,000 acres of forests and open lands, 300 miles of undeveloped shoreline and 500 miles of trails that make up Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area. Volunteer activities consist of trail maintenance and cleanup, support of special events, monitoring the Elk and Bison Prairie or assisting with administrative work. During the National Public Lands Day and shoreline cleanup events, volunteers remove over a ton of trash from Land Between The Lakes; almost 60% of which is recycled.
The Middle Tennessee Fly Fishers (MTFF) is hosting a cleanup on Elk River on March 20, 2021. The club will provide grabbers to pick up the trash and bags to hold it. Those interested are asked to meet at Woodard’s Market and Deli in Lynchburg, Tenn. at 7:00 a.m. for a bite to eat prior to dispersing to Tims Ford Dam. Membership in the organization is not required to participate in the cleanup. For more information, visit https://www.middletennesseeflyfishers.org/conservation-cleanup.html. To rsvp for the cleanup, visit https://www.middletennesseeflyfishers.org/elk-river-cleanup-rsvp.html.
For those living in Knoxville, the Knox County Parks and Recreation offers a program for its citizens to lend a helping hand. ADOPT-A-PARK is a volunteer program that recruits and trains residents to assist in the general care, supervision and maintenance of neighborhood parks and greenways. For more information, visit https://knoxcounty.org/parks/adoptpark/adopt_a_park.php.
Keep The Shoals Beautiful in northwest Alabama hosts a variety of programs year round for the public to get involved with cleanup efforts including a litter tournament with a $500 grand prize. Litter picked up by volunteers during last year’s event along Pickwick Lake filled 207 trash bags weighing in over 5,000 pounds. For more information, visit www.keeptheshoalsbeautiful.org or for the latest updates, follow the organization on Facebook.
Located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in northeast Mississippi, Tishomingo State Park is rich in history and timeless natural beauty. The Friends of Tishomingo State Park have been very active over the years in doing repairs to many of the valuable structures. Volunteers typically meet monthly to plan and organize cleanup projects.
For those who do not make new year’s resolutions, the Martin Luther King Jr. is observed each year as “a day on, not a day off.” MLK Day is the only federal holiday designated as a national day of service to encourage all Americans to volunteer to improve their communities. The Martin Luther King Jr. holiday on Jan. 18, 2021, marks the 26th anniversary of the day of service that celebrates the Civil Rights leader’s life and legacy.
For information on additional volunteer opportunities, visit www.tva.com/volunteer, or email the volunteer coordinators at volunteer@tva.gov or call the Public Land Information Center at 800-TVA-LAND.
Smoke on the Horizon: managing Healthy Forest Ecosystems
Submitted by Kayla Stuart, Knoxville TN- A blog about controlled burns.
I was getting out of town to visit my brother in Nashville when traffic started to slow eventually turning into a creep along I-40 W. After a few miles I was able to see hazard lights, smoke, and hard hats. I anticipated seeing scattered debris from a recent car accident, but there wasn’t any. Instead, I see a modest crew of people scouring the hillside of a foliage covered ground with moderate red flames lit all around. Lost ecosystems, climate change, and decreased carbon sequestration are my thoughts when I envision deforestation in any form. So you can imagine the draw on my face when I see the hillside ablaze here in East Tennessee! ‘How can humanity let a forest burn!?’ says the environmentalist in me. This made me curious, and had not left the shadows of my mental sky until recently when I was educated on controlled burns. The words seemed to antagonize each other, however through my research I have found reasoning and rationale behind this necessary process.
In my native region of East Tennessee I found out that we have several biologically invasive species from trees, to beetles, to moths and more. As a newly induced student of forestry I used my resources to take a deeper dive into these wildly fascinating controlled burns. In science, it is understood that microorganisms run the living world! There are unseen microbial battles and relationships going from the depths of the soil to the tops of the trees. Biodiversity is mandatory for a healthy food chain, but that balance can and will be offset if an invader out competes the native life. Through our anthropogenic ways dating back thousands of years, fires have provided that management. This process is executed with precision and backed by science. It is necessary. Humans finding a solution for a problem we likely created? Sounds about par for the course! However, this is not a modern practice; there is a deeply rich history and nobility behind these prescribed fires. Tom Tidwell, former Forester Chief under the USDA, made a speech that outlined the cohesive strategy triangle for fire management which is, in short, to restore ecosystems, build fire adapted human communities, and to respond appropriately to wildfires.
Dust off your boots after a hike, know your native and invasive species, and most importantly do your research. These are effortless ways us humans can allow nature to be nature. Knowing more about fire management in forests has provided me solace and gratitude for the people that dedicate their lives to the biodiversity of the planet. I have two young daughters who love to hike and be in nature so when the opportunity arises to fill their noggins with science, I take heed and pour out my knowledge. Please do the same.
To learn more: https://www.fs.usda.gov/speeches/thinking-mountain-about-fire
Find Gratitude in November 2020
In November 1942, Artist Norman Rockwell painted one of his most recognized oil paintings titled Freedom From Want. The painting was part of a series of four that were inspired by Franklin D. Roosevelt’s 1941 State of Union Address defining the four freedoms. In his words from that speech:
“The basic things expected by our people of their political and economic systems are simple. They are:
- Equality of opportunity for youth and for others.
- Jobs for those who can work.
- Security for those who need it.
- The ending of special privilege for the few.
- The preservation of civil liberties for all.
- The enjoyment — The enjoyment of the fruits of scientific progress in a wider and constantly rising standard of living.
These are the simple, the basic things that must never be lost sight of in the turmoil and unbelievable complexity of our modern world. The inner and abiding strength of our economic and political systems is dependent upon the degree to which they fulfill these expectations.”
When the painting was completed in November 1942, the United States was deeply entrenched in World War II with both an East and West Theater. The painting was symbolic of abundance in life- family, food, and civil liberties to gather. At time when many young men were fighting overseas for their countries, it was a hopeful affirmation of American ideals post war.
In this year of COVID where American freedoms seem eroded and empty seats will be the norm at many holiday tables, it is important to recall other times in history that required gratitude in the face of great difficulty.
Recent Comments