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Foundation Receives $5,000 Donation From First National Bank of Tennessee

From the Crossville Chronicle, July 4, 2007.

The Tennessee Parks and Greenways Foundation recently issued a challenge to financial institutions in the area to match a $5,000 donation by First National Bank of Tennessee.

On hand for the donation were, from left, front row: Randy Graham; Jennifer Agee; Steve Walsh, Tennessee Parks and Greenways Foundation; Jim Martin; and Larry Henson; and back row, Steve Loghry, Robert Verble, Rhonda Looper, Thomas Lynn and Jim Evans.

Walsh said the organization appreciates the generous gift that will help preserve Tennessee natural treasures. Currently, the organization is focusing on the Cumberland Trail State Park and the Scott’s Gulf to Fall Creek Falls Corridor. "We are respectfully requesting other financial institutions match this generous gift to help save these amazing places for this and future generations."

For more information, contact the Tennessee Parks and Greenways Foundation at (615) 386-3171. __________________________________________________

Bob Brown, a Tennessee history expert, an amateur botanist, an extraordinary explorer and hiker, and a major supporter of  many nonprofit conservation groups, passed away at his home on May 13, 2007. He was 77.

In 1968, Bob’s passion for the outdoors led him to help launch and foster the Tennessee Trails Association, a trail advocacy group and hiking club. With

the Tennessee Trails Association, Bob was the leading force behind the State Trails System Act that passed the Tennessee legislature in 1971 and designated seven state scenic trails and connecting trails.  This included the cross-state long distance trail that Bob and a few others envisioned that is being realized today– the Cumberland Trail. 

His voice was instrumental in ensuring that the State’s conservation approach was science-based and protected the richest areas in Tennessee for biodiversity, as well as the best routes for recreation and historic interpretation. Preservation efforts, historic markers, and mapping for Indian trade routes, buffalo traces, early settler’s roads, and historic routes like the Trail of Tears would not have occurred without Bob’s persistent efforts.  

With his mild-mannered, gentlemanly personality, Bob championed the greenways and trails movement in Tennessee where he supported the creation of a statewide greenway system. Bob was an advocate for preserving Tennessee’s natural treasures. He led our campaign to acquire Black Mountain, which is now part of the Cumberland Trail. Because of him, we are now working to secure Devilstep Hollow and Head of the Sequatchie Springs – a 400-acre tract important for its unique geology, archeology, history, ecology, and scenery.

Bob volunteered regularly to lead hikes and interpret trails for various groups and helped us with inventories for conservation easements. As recently as Fall, 2006, he inspected 400 acres along Turnbull Creek in Dickson County to ensure its permanent conservation with our Foundation.

Bob’s lifelong passion was conservation and his accomplishments are extraordinary.  He will be sorely missed.

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Adventist Health System Donates Island Paradise to the Foundation

The Tennessee Parks and Greenways Foundation received a generous gift of a 20-acre island (Hill’s Island) located in the Cumberland River in Nashville, near Old Hickory Lake. Thank you Adventist Health System for this legacy! The narrow, pristine island is located just fifteen feet from the west bank of the Cumberland River near Madison, and visible from the Old Hickory Boulevard Bridge looking downstream.

Hill’s Island really is an island paradise. It is wild, forested, uninhabited (except for raccoons, birds, and other wildlife), and has a nice sandy beach for lying in the sun, landing a kayak, or for fishing. We envision the island as a new fantastic recreation/educational destination that will entice people to get outdoors and on the water. It is an excellent opportunity for an outdoor classroom for Nashville’s children, students (of all ages!), and the visiting world.

We want to host a meeting soon to bring together boating, fishing, and wildlife experts; the Corp. of Engineers; representatives from metro parks and recreation; local educators; community leaders; and other user groups to develop a conservation and education plan for this outdoor classroom. We have already received a $1,000 grant from the Louisiana Pacific Company Foundation (thank you!) and will continue to seek additional financial support for this project.

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Anne Paine, environmental staff writer with The Tennessean, and videographer Sanford Myers, kayaked to the island with Kathleen Williams, Foundation executive director, and Mary Lynn Dobson, Foundation executive committee member. To see the video from their adventure:  http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070309/VIDEO/70309106

To go to Anne Paine’s nature blog: http://support.tennessean.com/blogs/?cat=50

Thank you to The Tennessean for their continued efforts to keep Nashvillians informed on environmental issues.

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Foundation Receives 300 Acre Gift on Brady Mountain in Honor of Arthur Harrison and Bob Brown

Photo of Brady Mountain by Joe Howell

Plateau Properties Inc. has just announced  their decision to donate a large tract of land to Tennessee Parks and Greenways Foundation, a statewide non-profit organization.  The tract is a part of the Cumberland Trail which was established in 1970.  In addition to the land donation for the trail, Plateau Properties will donate property on the southeast, or Grassy Cove, side of Brady Mountain to preserve the mountain’s most significant natural features, including “Salt Peter Cave”.

Brady Mountain is an eight-mile-long rocky ridge in the Cumberland Mountains, with an elevation of 2900 feet.  The Cumberland Mountains are known for their scenic beauty and species richness. 

Plateau Properties’ co-founder Arthur Harrison (deceased) and well-known trail advocate Bob Brown (Nashville) worked together in October, 1968 to determine the route of this cross-state trail – along the crest of Brady Mountain in Cumberland County. 

“My dad, Arthur, was a champion for the Cumberland Trail and was at the first meeting where the route was drawn on a map.  Now, some 38 years later this gift will recognize his vision along with Tennessee’s beloved trail advocate Bob Brown.  We’re making this gift in Bob’s honor as well,” said Robert Harrison, Plateau Properties’ General Manager.

Bob Brown credits Arthur for introducing him to Black Mountain, Brady Mountain, the Obed River and other scenic wonders in the Cumberland Mountains.  Bob Brown is known as one of the co-founders of the Cumberland Trail, the Tennessee Trails Association, and helped create the 1971 Tennessee State Scenic Trails Act. 

Bob now serves on the board of the Tennessee Parks and Greenways Foundation. The Foundation’s mission is to preserve Tennessee’s natural treasures by creating an interconnected system of parks, greenways and wildlife areas across Tennessee.  Brady Mountain is a Tennessee natural treasure and is a significant connector for the 300 mile long Cumberland Trail State Park. “It fits our mission. It’s a wonderful gift to Tennessee and tribute to both Arthur Harrison and Bob Brown,” said Kathleen Williams, president and executive director for the Tennessee Parks and Greenways Foundation.

“State funding for this trail and for the Cumberland Mountains is limited – Plateau Properties’ gift to Tennessee will preserve the beauty of Brady Mountain, provide an important trail linkage, and make the accomplishment of the 1968 dream a reality,” said Foundation board chairman Dr. Charles Womack (Cookeville).

For more information, contact Robert Harrison at Plateau Properties, 931-484-5535 (reharrison@charter.net) or contact Tennessee Parks and Greenways Foundation at 615-386-3171.

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Stillhouse Hollow Falls Opened to the Public as Tennessee’s Newest State Natural Area

With a plunge of 75 feet, Stillhouse Hollow Falls is one of Middle Tennessee’s best kept secrets.  It was officially opened on Saturday, June 3, 2006, when the Division of Natural Heritage and the Tennessee Parks and Greenways Foundation dedicated the falls and surrounding land as Tennessee’s newest designated State Natural Area.

This 90-acre forest remnant was once part of an area proposed in 1938 as Maury State Forest.  Its protection came about through cooperation between the state of Tennessee and its non-profit conservation partner, the Tennessee Parks and Greenways Foundation.  The Foundation’s mission is to protect Tennessee’s treasures; and waterfalls are a priority.  When they learned that the falls property was on the market, they borrowed funding from their Emergency Land Conservation Fund. 

“Stillhouse Hollow Falls is one of the prettiest places in Tennessee,” said Foundation director Kathleen Williams.  “We had to help when we learned this waterfall could be sold for private development.  Places like Stillhouse need to be available for all of us and our descendants to enjoy.”

The Foundation secured support from local community groups and donors, and then arranged with Maury County Parks and Recreation for on-site management. The Foundation then offered the land to the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation’s Division of Natural Heritage at a reduced price.  The Division of Natural Heritage committed to permanently protect the site as a State Natural Area, and agreed to purchase the Falls at a discounted price from the Foundation.

Cooperative efforts of several organizations completed the transition to Natural Area status.  While the state went about its required land purchasing process, statewide Foundation members and granting institutions provided the Foundation with the remaining necessary funding.  Grants from the Tennessean and the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee provided funds for trail building by the Tennessee Trails Association’s Columbia chapter;  for parking facilities; and for an interpretive display.

“We are able to do more for conservation in Tennessee when state and local governments work together with private partners toward a common goal,” said Environment and Conservation Commissioner Jim Fyke.  “Establishing Stillhouse Hollow Falls as a state natural area is a good example of effective public-private partnerships protecting unique natural resources and keeping special places accessible to Tennesseans.”

This new preserve just south and west of Mount Pleasant is named for its most significant feature.  The Falls are visible from a newly completed trail, which bridges the unnamed tributary that flows over its bed of shale before reaching Stillhouse Hollow Falls.  The stream continues through the new natural area on its way to Big Bigby Creek, and from there to the Duck River, a watershed whose streams are some of the most biologically diverse on the continent.

For more information, please contact the Tennessee Parks and Greenways Foundation (615) 386-3171.

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Directions to Stillhouse Hollow Falls:  From Nashville: Take I-65 south. Take the Saturn Parkway to Hwy. 31 toward Columbia.  Turn right on Hwy. 43 and continue past the Mt. Pleasant exits.  Cross the Judge Workman Bridge and turn right off Hwy. 43 into the parking area.

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Kathleen Williams Receives Lifetime Achievement Award

Nashville, TN. Greenways for Nashville honored the first co-chairwomen of the Nashville Greenways Commission, Kathleen Williams and Jean Nelson. Williams, president/executive director for Tennessee Parks and Greenways Foundation, and Nelson, president/executive director for the Land Trust for Tennessee, received the organization's Lifetime Achievement Awards. A benefit, with Denise and Alan Jackson as hosts, raised money for the association whose mission is to "create, develop, protect, preserve and promote greenways systems in Nashville.”

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The Tennessee Parks and Greenways Foundation is pleased to announce the recent addition of Nora Beck as Land Conservation Coordinator.

Nora's work at the Cumberland Trail Conference led her to the Tennessee Parks and Greenways Foundation.  A Kentucky native, Nora earned a BA in journalism from the University of Kentucky, and a BS in technical communications from Tennessee Tech. 

Nora is looking forward to conserving the best of Tennessee.  Welcome Nora!

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Patti Madere has been named Director of Operations. In her new role, Patti will oversee all operational and financial activities of the Foundation.

Patti joined the Foundation in 1998 as Office Manager and was promoted to Grants Manager in 2003. Prior to joining the Tennessee Parks and Greenways Foundation, Patti was the Office Manager at the Center for Nonprofit Management.