Blog
Wild American Ginseng and the Chinese Doctor
Dr. Iris Gao has moved from mainland China to Middle State Tennessee University in order to study Wild American ginseng. It just so happens that we have a lot of the root at Coal Creek farm in Eastern Tennessee. Dr. Gao visited recently with her colleague Dr. Elliot...
Grateful for Little Things
Last week I had the privilege of seeing AND filming a Northern Bobwhite (aka quail) at Coal Creek Farm in Eastern Tennessee. Sightings of these once ubiquitous little birds are rare. Having one slow down enough to film it is even rarer. The Northern Bobwhite (quail)...
Miami Mountain Rocks
Left: Ugo Rondinone, Miami Mountain, 2016. Stone, paint, steel. Collection of The Bass, purchased with the John and Johanna Bass Acquisition Fund. Photo © Zachary Balber. Courtesy of The Bass, Miami Beach. Right: Bouquet of Tulips by Jeff Koons is to stand in front of...
Catching a Wild Elephant: Tennessee’s Piney River
There are several “Piney” River/Creeks on the Cumberland Plateau. The Piney River near Spring City, Tenn., is on the Walden’s Ridge portion of the Plateau. Its headwaters join with Moccasin Creek, Bumbee and Duskin creeks, before finding the confluence with Soak Creek and flowing through Spring City into the Tennessee River. In 1970 the Bowater Southern Paper Corporation donated the land to the State of Tennessee.
With 50th anniversary of Scenic Rivers Act, let’s double number of protected waterways
Fifty years ago this year, our political leaders codified the idea that our wild and scenic rivers should be conserved for themselves and for the future. Their efforts were modest; Congress asked each state to nominate two rivers. To accomplish this, these leaders had to be forward-thinking.
The Environment and Technology
New software, specifically crowdsourcing software, will undoubtedly lead to major breakthroughs in scientific research and the way we look at and conserve our planet.
Do more to protect the Kissimmee River – and our quality of life
I am a developer and an environmentalist, and I own property in and around Orlando. It is one of the most dynamic and interesting cities in the United States, and natural resources are part of the mix. A Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute study published in...
We need to protect our Florida rivers
I am a developer and an environmentalist, and I own property in and around Orlando. It is one of the most dynamic and interesting cities in the United States, and natural resources are part of the mix. A Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute study published in...
On Fire: 1
At Coal Creek, we attempt to burn approximately 500 acres of land each year. We work closely with the University of Tennessee, The Southeastern Grassland Initiative and our local forestry department. Controlled burns were once performed regularly by Native Americans and are currently becoming more popular with the mainstream scientific and environmental communities. Burning land in this controlled way helps kill weeds and bugs, enhance soil quality, and encourage the growth of native grasses.
Excellent!
Excellence is not easily quantifiable. Dictionary.com (one of my favorite iPhone apps) defines it using superlatives such as superior, remarkable, and outstanding. Many critics and art fans use “excellence” or “excellent” when describing museums, art shows, and artists. “The best” is used a lot too.