The Power of the Forest
A tree is a wonder of nature; a forest is an army of trees protecting nature. Trees cleanse the air by pulling carbon dioxide and other toxins, and storing the carbon for their lifetime. Trees provide a shade canopy reducing ground temperatures. Trees provide homes and food for animals and birds. Trees filter water, clearing contaminants which are harmful to drinking water and healthy aquatic habitats. Finally, trees protect against erosion of valuable top soils.
The footprint of the Tennessee River Valley is pure Appalachia, with mountains and forests in the highlands of the east and grasslands and savannahs in the west. As business commerce moved into the Valley, extraction, timbering, and farming greatly impacted the landscape of the region. All three industries built economies of the surrounding communities, but these industries also created scars that negatively impacted the health and wellbeing of those same communities.
In the early days of TVA (Tennessee Valley Authority), the agency focused on reforestation of reclaimed lands that were strip cut for timber or farmland. Run-off of water on these lands washed away top soil leaving rocky, subsoil which was not suitable for sustaining farms or tree regrowth. Over a period of years, TVA replanted almost 1.5 million acres of land.
In modern days, the Appalachian Region Reforestation Initiative (ARRI), in partnership with the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) is being challenged to reclaim thousands of acres of abandoned coal mines by encouraging restoration of the land by planting high-quality forests. Both TVA and ARRI look to practices that improve the survival of seedlings. Best practice looks to first growth tree production to supports wildlife and mitigate soil erosion, while second growth trees provide high commercial value.
Collaboration among agencies is the key to preserving our forest lands. OSMRE Forester, Clifford Drouet reached out to us and asked for help to raise awareness for the ARRI program. Here are some facts that he shared about their work:
- Most of the land that the ARRI program is restoring throughout Appalachia is privately owned. Project sizes can range from 10 ac to 1000+ acres.
- The ARRI program works with multiple partners in each state including federal and state agencies, non-profits, for profits, academia, and foundations to coordinate restoration efforts and resources.
- Established in 2004, ARRI has a long successful history throughout the Appalachian region and is now assisting other states with reforestation.
- While the ARRI program is not carbon credit certified at this time, it is being evaluated as a volunteer carbon market program and should be certified soon in addition to existing federal and state tax credits.
- The project sites are hand- planted by professional planting crews, but there are also scheduled volunteer planting events to observe Arbor Day & Earth Day (on small plots.) All ARRI partners and local media are invited to attend so ARRI volunteers can demonstrate the “5 W’s” behind restoring old mine sites (aka=moonscapes) and promote the program.
Conservation, sustainability, and resiliency are at the core of caring for our forests, which are “caring” for us.
Max Patch Bald- An “Over Tourism” Case Study
One of the most beloved spots along the Appalachian Trail for day hikers, through hikers, and photographers is the Max Patch bald on the North Carolina and Cocke County, Tennessee border. The 360 view of Unakas, Smokies, and Black Mountains is one of those scenic places that are drawing too many people for the fragile ecosystem.
The net result of the overuse of the area, is the closure of the Max Patch to campers, campfires, drones, and horseback riders, and limits the number of hikers in a group to 10. In addition, enforcement of current guidelines, hikers are to stay on designated trails, bikers are restricted to roads only, and no use of fireworks will be increased in the area. The closures begin on July 1, 2021 and extend until June 30, 2023.
During the year of COVID, we recognized that the “great outdoors” was at risk from over tourism. Unlike amusement parks and artificial destinations built for mass tourism, places like Max Patch are iconic destinations that cannot be manufactured or replicated. There is a spirituality created by the harmony of land and sky, unique to the geographic area. The increase of trail use and the thoughtlessness of individuals who mistreat and ignore trail rules, causing significant degradation to the very place that they came to experience. Once damaged, only time and mother nature can remediate the damage caused to these places.
Across the Tennessee River Valley, there are other cultural, heritage, and natural sites under stress. A battlefield cemetery is not a place for young people to scramble over graves and monuments; a historic cabin is not a place to carve your initials; a wildlife preserve is not a site to shoot off fireworks or to leave trash. Unfortunately, environmental literacy is not taught as it was in generations that were dependent on the land and water for survival. If we love these places, we need to demonstrate our love through stewardship and care of these treasured places.
The TRV Stewardship Council is engaged in the movement for Recreate Responsibly. When you visit this region, we ask that you practice these principles, and if you are a parent, take the time to teach your children about stewarding these fragile places.
Our Great Outdoors are Greater with Outdoor Manners
Prior to the COVID pandemic of 2020, thought leaders were focused on the concepts of responsible tourism and sustainability. How could communities take care of their people, economy, and landscapes while planning for tourism based economies?
When the world shut down, the “outdoors” became the “destination” for safe travel and social distancing. Many small communities were inundated with new visitors and unprepared for the deluge of visitors. All of sudden, the use of campsites, trails, and waterways exploded leaving residents wary of visitors who might be carrying the COVID virus; a demand on common household supplies that were already difficult to find; and significant overuse of trails without regard to weather conditions.
June is National Outdoor Month. Here in the Tennessee River Valley, our outdoors is a vast playground of lakes, rivers, forests, grasslands, and events held outdoors in small towns and large cities. Our southern hospitality welcome visitors, but our southern roots have an expectation for good manners and polite behaviors. So here are some tips for outdoor manners and polite behaviors to know before you go:
- Trails- If the parking lot is full, find another trailhead. You will enjoy your hike or bike more.
- Trails-Go through the muddy sections of the trail not around. Your boots or bike can handle it.
- River Access: Park and launch in designated areas only.
- Pack out what you pack in: This is the 911 for good behavior.
- Buy Local campfire wood- Invasive beetles do damage to native trees.
- Dog waste- Your furry friends are welcome, but their waste is not. Bag it!
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