Hellbender Press

Hikers make their way to the summit of Mount LeConte via Alum Cave. A helicopter will ferry demolition debris from the site of the old LeConte Lodge, and some brief trail closures may result. Some areas of the summit may also be closed. Thomas Fraser/Hellbender Press This is a news release from the National Park Service.

"It has been just over a year and a half since bears were last housed at the ABR facility. Welcoming Hemlock Bear into our care is a testament to the resilience of our staff, board members, volunteers, and supporters,” said Greg Grieco, Executive Director, ABR. “It's a reminder that when government agencies, universities, nonprofit organizations, and our local community all work together we can accomplish great things.

NPS is invoking emergency authority in this action, which bypasses certain processes such as a standard public comment period. Instead, they held “open house style” meetings in Asheville, Boone, and Galax over three days in May with one week of notice. There were no microphones, no public record, and no collective voice. Attendees rotated between stations in free form, similar to a science fair, while NPS staff answered individual questions in isolation.

TennGreen and other conservation and preservation organizations acquired land in Franklin County to expand Head of the Crow State Park. The expansion will create a more connected and resilient landscape that benefits wildlife, protects vital watersheds, and enhances public access to nature. Jon D. Bumpus Jon D. Bumpus is the director of communications for the TennGreen Land Conservancy.

“This project demonstrates what is possible when conservation-minded landowners, community supporters, donors and public partners come together around a shared vision,” said Mike Parrish, chair of the Foothills Land Conservancy Board of Directors. “The impact of this acquisition will be felt for generations.

As the region’s energy provider, TVA plays a big role in our lives. When TVA maps out where our electricity will come from and how much power it will need to generate over the next 25 years, it’s important we pay attention and seize opportunities to get involved. Previously, TVA didn’t allow for meaningful public input on its energy plan, but months of advocacy for a public comment period have finally paid off.

The Environmental Journal of Southern Appalachia Members of the Black Girl Environmentalist Knox HUB will be the featured guests at the July 8 installment of Green Drinks Knoxville at 5:30 p.m. at Alliance Brewing Company, 1130 Sevier Ave. Knoxville. Green Drinks Knoxville KNOXVILLE — Green Drinks Knoxville welcomes Black Girl Environmentalist Knox HUB for a conversation about environmental justice, community, and why Black-led environmental spaces matter.

Thirty new U.S. citizens took an oath July 1 in Great Smoky Mountains National Park during a naturalization ceremony. National Park Service GATLINBURG — Great Smoky Mountains National Park hosted a naturalization ceremony in partnership with the United States District Court of Eastern Tennessee and the Nashville Field Office of the Department of Homeland Security.

The Outdoor Recreation Park Management concentration is not just for learning to be a National Park Service ranger but for learning skills relevant to many careers at conservation or recreational areas, including rafting companies, national forests and nonprofits, Sharp said. Nicholas said the program is about creating the next generation of park managers, forest managers and outdoor recreation stewards generally, adding the NPS could recruit students from the program to fill jobs.

“This stuff is going everywhere," Nolt said on a damp morning in early March as he stripped several feet of vines from one trunk. He identified it as English ivy and wintercreeper, which seemed to be growing in tandem on dozens of trees only a stone’s throw from the Baker Creek parking lot. “I first noticed it two years ago,” he explained.