TRV Stewardship Council

In the distant past, the landscape of the Tennessee River Valley was a system of deep forested valleys, highland bogs, grasslands, prairies and savannas which provided a rich habitat for wildlife and native people. These grasslands also created an important ecosystem sustaining the watershed by filtering nutrients, wastes, and sediments. Imagine the early pioneer who saw this fertile soil as place to set down roots. As the land was homesteaded and eventually developed into urban areas, much of the native landscape disappeared. Only pockets remain around cities such as Huntsville that were once resplendent grasslands.
In the Tennessee River Valley, winter is an optimal time to see a “grassland” area at work. Each year, Sandhill Cranes descend on marshy areas across the region- Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge and Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge to feed on seeds, berries, cultivated grains, insects, and small mammals. The National Wildlife Refuge created by the formation of Kentucky Lake offers visitors a glimpse of the early natural landscape of southeastern grasslands. Overwintering waterfowl feed on native seeds, grains, and mudflats rich with nutrients. The winter’s quiet hum of foraging wildlife and rustling of dried grasses is in direct contrast to the nesting season when the songbirds arrive.
Today, groups such as the Tennessee Valley Authority and the Southeast Grasslands Imitative are playing important roles in restoring the health of native grasslands in the Tennessee River Valley. Their work not only improves the condition of existing grassland, but improves the overall river system that is providing drinking water and recreation for the Tennessee Valley communities. It cannot be said enough that this system is a region, and that each of the individual counties is linked by the river.

Each October, rural community leaders and tourism professionals from Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee gather to share ideas, network, and learn about best practices to create opportunities for community and economic development.  One of the constant themes is preserving what makes each of these communities its unique self.  As Ed McMahon, Senior Resident of the Urban Land institute in Washington DC, has presented a powerful case for “Uniqueness” as well as cases for regionalism in rural communities. This idea of uniqueness is firmly rooted in the principles of geotourism.

This year, the AL-MS-TN Rural Tourism Conference was hosted in Natchez, Mississippi, a town with deep river roots, a strong sense of history, and shared pride in their heritage.  ExploreTRV had a front seat to the conference that explored such topics as Keeping Your Downtown Vibrant, Tourism Trails Systems, and Culinary Tourism.   The Conference provided an opportunity to ExploreTRV Board Director, Linda Lewanski to make a presentation for the Tennessee River Valley Geotourism project to the attendees.  Linda also hosted a table to educate attendees about the project’s regional impact.  The Board shares in Mr. McMahon’s sentiments that small communities need to work together and capitalize on the natural assets that so many rural counties share.   

Next year’s event will be hosted in Sweetwater TN, a community steeped in Native American history and named by early settlers for the springs that are located there.