From tta at tennesseetrails.net Tue Jan 12 15:18:25 2010 From: tta at tennesseetrails.net (The Tennessee Trails List) Date: Tue, 12 Jan 2010 14:18:25 -0600 Subject: [Tennessee Trails News] Bredesen Announces Cumberland Trail Acquisition Message-ID: <4B4CD911.5020002@blomand.net> Provided by Tony Hook, Manager, Cumberland Trail Conference: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 12, 2010 Bredesen Announces Cumberland Trail Acquisition Critical Partnerships Made 3,200 Acre Acquisition Possible NASHVILLE ? Governor Phil Bredesen and Department of Environment and Conservation Commissioner Jim Fyke announced today the closing of a land acquisition that will add more than 3,200 acres and 10 linear miles of trail to the Cumberland Trail State Park in Hamilton and Rhea counties. The acquisition was funded through a variety of sources, including a grant from the Heritage Conservation Trust Fund, federal grants and private funds raised by the Cumberland Trail Conference. It includes a significant conservation easement put in place by the Land Trust for Tennessee. ?This acquisition speaks to the power of leveraging resources and cultivating partnerships to accomplish more than we could do alone,? said Bredesen. ?I?m pleased that a variety of agencies and organizations were able to come together to accomplish an acquisition that will benefit Tennesseans for generations to come.? The property on Graysville Mountain is part of Tennessee?s Cumberland Trail State Park. It will allow the Cumberland Trail State Scenic Trail to expand between Dayton, in Rhea County, and Sale Creek in Hamilton County. The area provides opportunities for fishing, day hiking, whitewater paddling, swimming, rock climbing and trail running. ?Not only will the Graysville Mountain acquisition protect priority land and natural resources, it also represents an important piece of the Cumberland Trail,? said Fyke. ?Under Governor Bredesen?s leadership, we have made considerable progress on the trail, increasing the acreage managed by the Cumberland Trail State Park from 1,200 acres to 23,000 acres since 2003.? The project is funded with more than $3.5 million in federal grants and a $1 million grant from the state?s Heritage Conservation Trust Fund from Fiscal Year 2007-2008. The Cumberland Trail Conference will contribute up to $300,000 in private funds for administrative costs. The Land Trust for Tennessee assisted in negotiating the transaction with the seller, Richard Kinzalow, and will hold a permanent conservation easement on the 2,197 acres located in Rhea County. The project marks the Land Trust?s first in Rhea County and places a total of more than 5,000 acres under easement managed by the Land Trust in Southeast Tennessee. ?The Land Trust for Tennessee is thrilled to be a partner on this wonderful conservation project that will forever protect the incredible biodiversity of the unique, irreplaceable cove ecosystem along Walden Ridge,? said Executive Director Jeanie Nelson. ?We appreciate the opportunity to partner with the state of Tennessee and Mr. Kinzalow on this landmark acquisition, and the permanent contribution to the future generations of Tennesseans that it signifies.? The Cumberland Trail Conference, a non-profit organization that assists the state in a variety of efforts related to the continuing development of the Cumberland Trail, raised money to assist with this acquisition during its, Pathways for People, People for Nature capital campaign. ?We appreciate all the donors, volunteers and CTC staff that contributed and worked to execute a very successful fundraiser,? said Tony Hook, Manager of the Cumberland Trail Conference. ?It is because of their efforts that the CTC was able to assist with this land purchase to expand the reach of the Cumberland Trail.? About the Cumberland Trail State Park and Scenic Trail Upon completion, the Cumberland Trail, the state?s only linear park, will be 300 miles, cutting through 11 Tennessee counties from the Cumberland Gap National Historic Park on the Tennessee-Virginia-Kentucky border to the Signal Point near Chattanooga. More than one hundred and fifty miles of the Cumberland Trail is currently open and ready for exploration. For more information on the Cumberland Trail State Park and Scenic Trail, visit www.tnstateparks.com. About the Cumberland Trail Conference The Cumberland Trail Conference is an affiliate organization of the non-profit Tennessee Trails Association. The CTC is dedicated to the establishment and development of the Cumberland Trail. Since 1997, the Conference has assisted with land acquisitions, volunteer organization, trail construction and trail maintenance. Working with park staff, the CTC has constructed and maintained more than 100 miles of the Cumberland Trail to date. For more information, visit www.cumberlandtrail.org. About the Land Trust for Tennessee The Land Trust for Tennessee is a private, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization, founded in 1999. Its mission is to preserve the unique character of Tennessee?s natural and historic landscapes for future generations. To date, the Land Trust for Tennessee has protected more than 50,000 acres of land and is working with numerous other landowners across the state. The Land Trust works with willing landowners to find ways to preserve forever the historic, scenic and natural values of their land. The organization is supported primarily by financial contributions from individuals. The Land Trust has offices in Nashville, Sewanee and Chattanooga. More information is available at www.landtrustn.org. ### Tisha Calabrese-Benton Communications Director Tennessee Dept. of Environment and Conservation 865.594.5442 - Knoxville Office Tisha.Calabrese at tn.gov From tta at tennesseetrails.net Thu Jan 21 15:47:44 2010 From: tta at tennesseetrails.net (The Tennessee Trails List) Date: Thu, 21 Jan 2010 14:47:44 -0600 Subject: [Tennessee Trails News] Appalachian Trail specialty plates available at a discount. Message-ID: <4B58BD70.5090903@blomand.net> From: Leanna Joyner - ATC APPALACHIAN TRAIL CONSERVANCY OFFERS DISCOUNTS ON TENNESSEE A.T. LICENSE PLATES THROUGH EASTMAN CHEMICAL COMPANY FOUNDATION GRANT (KINGSPORT, Tenn, January 19, 2010)?A grant from the Eastman Chemical Company Foundation is allowing the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) to underwrite discounts on the fees for the next 500 people to apply for an Appalachian Trail license plate in Tennessee. Once 1,000 applications are received and the state begins producing tags, ATC?s share of the renewal fees will serve as a permanent funding source for the organization's work to protect and maintain the 280 miles of the Appalachian Trail in the state. As a result of the grant, the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) license plates are now available for $15 instead of the usual $35 annual fee. Renewals will be at the standard $35 annual fee. ATC is offering its own incentive as well, thanking people who sign up for the license plate with a one-time annual membership to the national nonprofit. Existing ATC members may give someone else the membership as a gift. The specialty A.T. license-plate program will benefit the state?s natural resources and national treasure in several ways. It will broaden awareness for this resource by widely promoting the Trail on vehicles from Memphis to Bristol. In addition, each plate will generate $15.56 annually for ATC, supporting management of such programs as land conservation, volunteer-based trail and facilities maintenance, natural-resources management, and programs that introduce children and teachers to the A. T. in Tennessee. The Tennessee State Recreation Plan calls the A.T. ?Tennessee?s First Recreation Trail,? and the A.T. frequently receives accolades, such as ?#2 of Top 10 USA Outdoor Adventures? (ABC?s ?Good Morning, America? and National Geographic) and ?Favorite Long Distance Trail? (by the readers of Backpacker magazine). For more information and an application to take advantage of this offer, call ATC at (828) 254-3708 or go on line to www.appalachiantrail.org/tnlicenseplate. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy is a volunteer-based organization dedicated to the preservation and management of the natural, scenic, historic, and cultural resources associated with the Appalachian National Scenic Trail in order to provide primitive outdoor-recreation and educational opportunities for Trail visitors. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contacts: Morgan Sommerville, (828) 254-3708, msommerville at appalachiantrail.org Joe DeLoach (423) 229-1602, joedelo at eastman.com "Hike to it!" From tta at tennesseetrails.net Mon Feb 8 02:39:30 2010 From: tta at tennesseetrails.net (The Tennessee Trails List) Date: Mon, 08 Feb 2010 01:39:30 -0600 Subject: [Tennessee Trails News] Passing of Bob Barnett Message-ID: <4B6FBFB2.8090901@blomand.net> The following obituary was published in The Memphis Commercial Appeal on January 19, 2010. Bob was a long time member of the Tennessee Trails Association, and served 3 terms as vice-president and 3 terms as president of the organization at various times between 1986 and 1995. ROBERT BARNETT Robert "Bob" Barnett, 58, passed away January 16, 2010. Mr. Barnett was a retired teacher, a member of Faith Christian Church, and a past president and longtime member of Tennessee Trails Association. He is survived by his sister, Wanda Winnette (Steve) of Memphis; uncle, Robert Turpen (Billie) of Nashville; sister-in-law, Tiffy Barnett of Nashville; and friends, Dudley and Cindy King of Tullahoma, TN. He was preceded in death by his parents, Oliver and Joy Barnett; and his twin brother, Bill Barnett. A memorial service will be scheduled at a later date. The family has requested that memorial contributions be sent to Faith Christian Church, 4965 Willow Road, Memphis, TN 38117. Family Funeral Care (901)761-8000 www.familyfuneralmemphis.com To share memories and leave condolences, visit Bob's on-line guest book at the following address: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/commercialappeal/obituary.aspx?n=robert-barnett&pid=138679519 From tta at tennesseetrails.net Fri Feb 19 11:46:38 2010 From: tta at tennesseetrails.net (The Tennessee Trails List) Date: Fri, 19 Feb 2010 10:46:38 -0600 Subject: [Tennessee Trails News] TWRA reports White Nose Syndrome in Tennessee Bats Message-ID: <4B7EC06E.6030107@blomand.net> TWRA has reported the first cases of White Nose Syndrome in Tennessee bats. Their complete press release follows. The closure of caves on public land, announced in July 2009, continues, and the closure of privately owned caves is also being encouraged. TTA chapters have been asked to refrain from scheduling outings involving cave entry. NASHVILLE --- The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) has received confirmation that two bats have tested positive for White Nose Syndrome (WNS), a white fungus that is responsible for the deaths of thousands of bats in the Eastern United States. This is the first record of White Nose Syndrome in Tennessee. The bats were hibernating in Worley?s cave in Sullivan County. Three tri-colored bats were collected by the TWRA and submitted to the National Wildlife Health Center (NWHC) in Madison, Wis. for testing last week. Last spring the state of Tennessee, National Park Service, and USDA Forest Service and Tennessee Valley Authority closed caves on public lands in Tennessee in an attempt to slow the spread of the fungus. The Nature Conservancy also closed caves located on their lands in Tennessee. Scientists are trying to determine the cause of WNS and its effects. Once a colony is affected, the fungus spreads rapidly and has killed at least 95 percent of bats at one New York hibernation site in two years. Other northeastern U.S. monitored bat colonies affected by WNS are experiencing similar large fatalities. There have been no reported human illnesses attributed to WNS and there is currently no evidence to suggest that WNS is harmful to humans or other organisms. Preliminary research results recently released by the United States Geological Survey indicates that the potential exists for WNS to be transmitted between bat hibernation caves as an unwanted hitch-hiker upon humans, their clothing, or other caving gear. "Temporarily staying out of caves and mines is the one thing we can do right now to slow the transmission of White Nose Syndrome,? said Cory Holliday, Cave and Karst Manager for The Nature Conservancy in Tennessee. ?We knew the bat deaths in the Eastern United States were large. Here in Tennessee we stand to lose the last stronghold of bats like the endangered Indiana and grays. We have hundreds of thousands of bats hibernating in our caves each winter. With a 95 percent mortality rate the loss is catastrophic.? Biologists are concerned that WNS could devastate populations of endangered Indiana and gray bats. Bats play a key role in keeping insects such as agricultural pests, mosquitoes and forest pests under control. ?Bats provide a tremendous public service in terms of pest control, said Richard Kirk, Nongame and Endangered Species Coordinator for the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. If we lose 500,000 bats, we?ll lose the benefits from that service and millions of pounds of insects will still be flying around our neighborhoods, agricultural fields and forests.? The disease causes bats to use up their fat reserves rapidly during hibernation. This causes the bats to fly out of caves during the winter in a desperate attempt to find food, but since the insects they eat are also seasonally dormant, the bats soon die of starvation. State and federal agency biologists and non-governmental organizations are currently surveying caves in east Tennessee and other portions of the state. These surveys are being conducted as annual bat population surveys and to monitor for WNS. Links to more information: http://www.fws.gov/northeast/white_nose.html ---TWRA--- From tta at tennesseetrails.net Thu Mar 25 15:10:30 2010 From: tta at tennesseetrails.net (The Tennessee Trails List) Date: Thu, 25 Mar 2010 14:10:30 -0500 Subject: [Tennessee Trails News] SEFTC Conference - May 20-23, 2010 Message-ID: <4BABB526.6040001@blomand.net> From: Fount W Bertram To Hiking Organization Leaders in the Southeast: The following announcement, released in mid-February, may be published on your website, in newsletter, and otherwise posted. While the registration form for the May 20-23 SEFTC Biennial Conference is on the SEFTC website, we will also be glad to send it to trail organization leaders to post on their websites, newsletters, etc. Thanks. -- George Owen, Chair, SEFTC Conference Planning Committee *Join Us at the SEFTC Regional **Trail Conference May 20-23* You are invited to four days of learning, fun, and fellowship at the Southeastern Foot Trails Coalition's (SEFTC) General Conference to be held May 20-23 (Thursday -- Sunday) at the DuBose Conference Center in Monteagle, Tennessee. Registration information is now available at the SEFTC website and also on that of many trail clubs in the Southeast. This grand, biennial event will feature daily workshops and hikes for the Southeast's trail community. The DuBose Center is located about an hour northwest of Chattanooga, a mile off Interstate 24. Perched high on the Cumberland Plateau, it offers excellent housing options and numerous nearby hiking opportunities. Daily workshops will provide leaders in various fields present to educate the hiking community. Evenings will feature special events, such as a speaker and/or entertainment. Lodging options include the following: both motel and dormitory-style rooms, a few group cabins, and camping on the premises. Attendees need to sign up in advance with your registration for all meals you may choose at the facility. Thursday's opening night individuals are on their own to secure dinner at one of several nearby restaurants before the general meeting at 7:00 p.m. Experienced leaders are being provided for all hikes. The DuBose Center prides itself in making arrangements for those with vegetarian and vegan food needs; the registration form provides a place to indicate either of these preferences. Registration has begun, with all checks made out to SEFTC and mailed to the registrar. There is a registration fee of $25, but those registering before April 1 will only be charged $20. The complete workshops and hikes list will be available in March, and posted to the SEFTC website and hiking clubs. So come join us for a great hiking and training event in late May. *See SEFTC Conference registration form at **southeastfoottrails.org*** From tta at tennesseetrails.net Sat Apr 10 08:33:50 2010 From: tta at tennesseetrails.net (The Tennessee Trails List) Date: Sat, 10 Apr 2010 07:33:50 -0500 Subject: [Tennessee Trails News] SEFTC Conference Registration Deadline is May 1 Message-ID: <4BC0702E.2080400@blomand.net> From: Fount Bertram A Big Reminder ... the SEFTC Conference Deadline Ahead ... Your Registration Is Due by May 1 Have you signed up for the big hiking trails conference in Tennessee May 20-23? That's right. The deadline for registration is May 1 to attend the Southeastern Foot Trails Coalition (SEFTC) 2010 Conference at the DuBose Conference Center at Monteagle , Tennessee high on the Cumberland Plateau just a mile off I-24 northwest of Chattanooga. Workshops, hikes, and entertainment aplenty are there. Good food, too. Come for the full time or any part. Food has to be ordered by the center the first week of May, so please get your registration in now. For further information and registration go NOW to the website http://southeastfoottrails.org and click on "2010 Conference." Hurry! The April days for registration are moving by fast. We hope to see you at Monteagle! SEFTC 2010 Conference Planning Committee, George Owen, Chair (706-374-4716) Members: Fount Bertram, Darcy Douglas (Registrar), Betty Petty. Consultant: Jeffrey Hunter From trekkingtn at comcast.net Tue Apr 20 09:02:34 2010 From: trekkingtn at comcast.net (trekkingtn at comcast.net) Date: Tue, 20 Apr 2010 13:02:34 +0000 (UTC) Subject: [Tennessee Trails News] TTA Membership Survey Message-ID: <674045541.10735711271768554946.JavaMail.root@sz0013a.emeryville.ca.mail.comcast.net> What is Tennessee Trails Association doing well? How could it be improved? What fabulous idea have you been wanting to share? The TTA Board of Directors is genuinely interested in what?s on your mind, and to that end offers?the 2010 TTA Membership Survey . Not only does ? the survey offer the Board?an opportunity to see who our members are and how they?re being served, it gives you a?an opportunity to share your ideas with them. If you're?not currently a member of TTA or perhaps are a former member, we'd love to hear from you as well. All responses are completely anonymous and the survey takes just minutes to complete. I urge everyone to take advantage of this opportunity to let us hear from you. To complete the survey from any computer with Internet access visit: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/tta Ron Dunn Membership Director Tennessee Trails Association -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From trekkingtn at comcast.net Tue Apr 27 10:53:08 2010 From: trekkingtn at comcast.net (trekkingtn at comcast.net) Date: Tue, 27 Apr 2010 14:53:08 +0000 (UTC) Subject: [Tennessee Trails News] TTA Membership Survey In-Reply-To: <79309012.13249071272379910348.JavaMail.root@sz0013a.emeryville.ca.mail.comcast.net> Message-ID: <1178242273.13249851272379988780.JavaMail.root@sz0013a.emeryville.ca.mail.comcast.net> It?s not too late but time is running out for you to participate in the 2010 TTA Membership Survey . If you haven?t taken the opportunity to respond you have until Wednesday, May 5 (Cinco de Mayo). ? Not only does ? the survey offer the Board?an opportunity to see who our members are and how they?re being served, it gives you a?an opportunity to share your ideas with them. Once again, if you're?not currently a member of TTA or perhaps are a former member, we'd love to hear from you as well. All responses are completely anonymous and the survey takes just minutes to complete. I urge everyone to take advantage of this opportunity to let us hear from you. To complete the survey from any computer with Internet access visit: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/tta Ron Dunn Membership Director Tennessee Trails Association -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From trekkingtn at comcast.net Thu Jul 8 06:17:20 2010 From: trekkingtn at comcast.net (Ron Dunn) Date: Thu, 8 Jul 2010 05:17:20 -0500 Subject: [Tennessee Trails News] 2010 Membership Directory Message-ID: <434E46ABBC574F04BCBF148BCC84C877@GCO04207> The 2010 edition of the TTA Membership Directory will be mailed to all current members around the end of September. Please be sure your dues are paid up so that you will be listed in the directory, and receive your copy when it's published. Also, please let us know if your home/email address and/or telephone number has changed since the last Directory (published August 2009). The deadline for changes is August 5 and here are a few ways you can notify us: . Internet: Visit our website (www.tennesseetrails.org), navigate to "Member Services," select and fill out the "Electronic Address Change Form." . Mail: Using the New/Renewal Membership Form (on the last page of this newsletter), fill in your new information, write on the form "address change" and mail to the address shown on the Membership Form. . Email / Phone: TTA's Membership Director, Ron Dunn at membership at tennesseetrails.org or 615-867-3301. Not sure of when your membership expires? Please look at the mailing label on your current monthly newsletter; it displays your annual expiration date just above your address. You will need to renew your membership within that month showing on your mailing label in order to avoid a lapse/interruption in receiving your newsletter. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From trekkingtn at comcast.net Sun Jul 25 19:14:41 2010 From: trekkingtn at comcast.net (Ron Dunn) Date: Sun, 25 Jul 2010 18:14:41 -0500 Subject: [Tennessee Trails News] New Day Hiking and Wildlife video as we look toward autumn Message-ID: June 30, 2010 Know Before You Go! Helpful Info from Recent Smokies' Press Releases June 30, 2010 Source- Nancy Gray (Great Smoky Mountains National Park) A NEW PODCAST EMPHASIZES BEAR SAFETY A video podcast, Day Hiking and Wildlife, associated with the recently launched program "Reward Yourself - Hike the Smokies Challenge", is now available for viewing. This 6-minute podcast is the second of a three-part series on hiking safety and informs the viewer of wildlife behavior, particularly black bears, and the appropriate responses and regulations to be followed by Park visitors. The podcast, developed by Great Smoky Mountains Association, is attractively done and illustrated with beautiful footage of the Smoky Mountains and wildlife, and can be viewed at http://thegreatsmokymountains.org/hike_smokies_challenge The chance of seeing wildlife in the backcountry is one of the exciting things about hiking, but it is important to understand the rules and regulations and proper etiquette for a safe and rewarding experience when visiting. The video podcast is an indepth educational piece about bear country and sets up practical advice and emphasizes Park regulations for keeping bears wild and away from people and developed areas. Kim Delozier, the Park's chief wildlife biologist, is featured in the podcast and emphasizes the responses people should make and actions to take if encountered by a bear on a trail. Avoiding bear problems always starts with keeping food and garbage away from bears. Once bears obtain human food, they lose their fear of people and can cause problems or pose risks to people. Never feed bears or discard of food scraps such as fruit rinds along a trail. Backcountry users should never approach bears and always keep a safe distance. It is required that people do not approach within 50 yards or closer or any distance that displaces or disturbs a bear. "If the animal changes its behavior, e.g. stops feeding or changes directions, you are too close," explains Delozier. He continued, "Human/bear conflicts have resulted in people getting injured, but if you follow the advice of how to respond to bear encounters provided in the video, you will minimize your chances of being harmed and maximize the chances of the bear keeping wild and away from people." "We hope that this video will be another tool to help hikers safely observe wildlife in its natural habitat which is one of the privileges we gain by preserving this great landscape for all to enjoy," said Cathleen Cook, Chief of Resource Education.