Oct 2, 2018 | Blog, Environment
Ecotourism—including hobbies such as paddling, biking, hiking, and birdwatching—brings sustainable jobs and commerce to the region. This year is the 50th anniversary of The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. This is the perfect moment to build on the successes of the past…
Sep 12, 2018 | Blog, Environment
I am currently fascinated by the concept of non-native and invasive species. When are non-natives bad? Always or sometimes? Invasive species are always bad. But sometimes non-natives can be good for you. Take the plant, Mullein, for example. It doesn’t belong in East...
Aug 14, 2018 | Blog, Environment
Somme Prairie Grove Photo Credit: Peter Gorman Creative Commons I recently decided to spend a few summer days in Chicago. The Windy City is a great place to take a summer vacation. The weather is usually excellent on Lake Michigan, and Chicago has an amazing array of...
Jul 27, 2018 | Blog, Environment
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...
Jul 19, 2018 | Blog, Environment
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)...
Jul 3, 2018 | Blog, Environment
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.