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Thank you so much for making 2018 a successful year for our TVA Natural Resources volunteer program. You are making such a difference to help protect public lands and make sure the trails are in great shape for everyone to enjoy. We started the Adopt a Trail/Adopt a Spot program in 2017 as a pilot project. You helped us grow the project in 2018 and we can’t wait to see what you’ll do next. As we close 2018, here are some statistics on how you helped us out:
- Eight additional Adopt a Trail/Adopt a Spot volunteers joined us in three additional counties in Tennessee and one additional county in Alabama for a total of 19 counties. We now have a total of 27 volunteers who have adopted trails, boat ramps and informal recreation areas.
- More than 87 hours of volunteer work were completed.
- We added 37 additional sites for potential adoption and extended opportunities to boat launches and stream access sites.
- TVA partnered with Green Steps and South Appalachia Resource Conservation & Development to adopt eight sites on Chickamauga. They will be launching their new litter pickup app to increase public reach.
- Crew Log newsletter was launched and readership has doubled. Keep telling your friends!
- We filmed our first volunteer video and it was shown via social media across the Valley. Watch the video here!
- Greg Penn on Watts Bar was the first volunteer to receive a recognition hammock by completing all four site visits. Congrats!
- We made new partners, including the Garden Club of Nashville, Green Steps, Southeast Appalachia RC&D, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, REI, TN Achieves and Bunch Marine.
- You helped get rid of pesky invasive plants this year at the first TVA Weed Wrangle events (Hall Whitey Memorial Native Plant Garden on Muscle Shoals Reservation and Big Ridge on Chickamauga) and at the Kill the Dam Invasives event with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and REI at Fontana Dam.
What will 2019 hold? I am super excited because we have been working hard on developing new opportunities for volunteers to enhance their trail caretaking skills by developing workshops and hands-on events. Does your trail have encroaching vegetation threatening to invade the access corridor? Is your spot being overrun with privet? Keep an eye out for workshops that you can attend to learn how to keep encroaching vegetation and invasive plants in check! Are you interested in trail maintenance? We will be offering our first workshops this year so that we can “team up for trails” on TVA public lands. TVA has over 170 miles of trails including some of the best mountain biking trails in the east. Now’s your chance to adopt a trail or a spot and dig into the fun.
Thank you for all you do,
Suzanne
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Opportunities
Looking for winter opportunities for community service? Join our some of our partners to help clean up the beautiful lakes and rivers of the Tennessee Valley.
Keep Blount Beautiful — Dash for Trash
When: March 9th
Time: 11:00 AM -1:00 PM EST
Where: Round 6 Brewing, 427 Whitecrest Dr., Maryville, TN
Details: Litter pickup
Contact: Keepblount@gmail.com
Keep Athens — Limestone Beautiful
When: March 9th
Time: 8:00 AM CST
Where: Limestone County, AL. Two locations: Elk River put in on Hatchery Rd (off Hwy 99) and in Athens at Big Spring Memorial Park (known as the Duck Pond)
Details: Instructions will be given at the two locations and a group photo will be taken. Lunch is provided.
Contact: Lynne Hart (256) 233-8728 or email KALBCares@gmail.com
River Bluff Trail Spruce Up Day
When: March 9th
Time: 9:00 am – 11:00 am ET
Where: TVA River Bluff Trail and Small Wild Area
Details: Team up for trails and help us clean up the parking area and trail before the Annual Wildflower Walk at River Bluff Trail in Norris, TN
TVA Contact: Suzanne Fisher (lsfisher@tva.gov)
Team up for Trails: Introduction to Trail Maintenance
When: March 23 (rain date on March 30)
Time: 9:00 am – 2:00 pm ET
Where: TVA Johnson Ridge Trail, Jefferson County, TN
Details: Designed for Adopt A Trail volunteers and those interested in trail building and maintenance. Classroom and field component limited to 10 people. Please contact Suzanne Fisher at lsfisher@tva.gov to register or for details
TVA Contact: Suzanne Fisher (lsfisher@tva.gov)
Annual 5-County Norris Reservoir Cleanup
When: March 23rd
Time: 9:00 AM-2:00 PM EST
Where: Anderson County (Sequoyah Marina), Campbell County (Sugar Hollow Marina), Grainger County (land-based locations on Black Fox Road), Union County (Beach Island)
Details: Join us for the annual shoreline cleanup of Norris Reservoir
TVA Contact: Tim Pruitt, tdpruitt@tva.gov or 865-632-1324
Keep Blount Beautiful — Townsend Community Cleanup
When: March 23rd
Time: 9:00 AM -12:00 PM EST
Where: Townsend Visitors Center, 7906 E Lamar Alexander Pkwy, Townsend, TN 37882
Details: Litter pickup
Contact: Keepblount@gmail.com
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Outdoors Winter Safety Tips
Spending time outdoors in the winter months can be a great way to lift your spirits and beat the winter doldrums, but make sure you take a few precautions and don’t get caught off guard. Here are a few tips to keep in mind before you venture away from your cozy home.
Dress for success. Stay dry and warm by layering articles of clothing. Start with your base layer, often referred to as your long underwear. Avoid cotton, if possible, so that this layer can breathe and wick moisture away from your skin. Next is the insulating layer, such as wool, fleece or microfleece shirts and/or jackets. This layer should keep you warm. Remember to think about insulated pants if the temperatures are near or below freezing. Top it off with a waterproof shell so that the wind and snow won’t cut through your layers. Don’t forget that you can layer your socks and gloves as well and remember… keep your head warm with an insulated hat that can cover your ears. If it is near or below freezing, remember to cover your nose and extremities to prevent frostbite. As for footwear, waterproof boots are the best. In the south, you may think it is warm enough for sandals in the morning, but then realize that you needed your boots half-way up the trail. Be prepared for changing conditions.
Hello darkness, my old friend. The amount of daylight is reduced in the winter months and the sun can set as early as 5:20 p.m. This means that if you live in the western portion of the Tennessee River Valley, it could be dark before you leave work or shortly after you get home from school. Plan on completing any outdoor work or recreation activity early enough in the day or go on the weekend to prevent getting caught out in the dark. Take note of the sun’s position in the sky if you are on the trail and wrap up your work or fun before it gets too low in the sky…so, don’t go that extra mile. And remember to take a flashlight or headlamp with working batteries just in case.
It’s the journey, not the destination. Driving in winter conditions can be tricky (and a downright nightmare in the South). Keep your car serviced, check your tire tread and pressure and don’t let your fuel level sink too low. Check road conditions before you venture out and consider postponing your trip if weather conditions are not favorable. Volunteering is just that. Save it for another day. If you are out on the trail and the weather sneaks up on you, remember that slip and trip hazards exist. Leaves can be wet and slick, and what seems like a gentle rolling hill may end up being a slippery slide on your backside. Go slow and steady. Trekking poles can be good, but they can also slip out from under you on wet rocks and snow. Be aware of your footing and pay attention to the path. Check out the Tennessee Department of Transportation’s Winter Drive Safety Tips so you can be prepared this winter.
Remember your essentials. You can still get a sunburn and become dehydrated in the winter, so remember to take your sunscreen and plenty of water. Your winter pack should also include extra clothes and socks, food, first aid kit, flashlight, map and emergency contact information. Carry these in a waterproof plastic bag in case the weather turns on you. Lip moisturizer and chewing gum are also great to keep in your pocket—just remember to pack out your trash!
It’s hunting season! Remember that most TVA areas are multi-use. Hunting is allowed unless otherwise posted, but hikers, horseback riders and other recreation users may be in the area too. Wearing bright hunter orange hats and vests helps ensure that you are seen when you’re in the woods—whether you’re hunting or not. For more information on hunting on TVA lands.
Plan, plan and plan some more. Make sure someone else knows your plan and make sure you plan well. It goes without saying: when in doubt, sit it out. Check your local weather forecast and plan accordingly. Visit TVA’s website for any road, trail or other facility closures that may affect your trip.
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Volunteers at work
Welcome our seven new volunteers: Duck River (Linda Periut), River Bluff Trail on Norris (Katy and Taylor Thomas), Tellico (Kenneth Mize), Chickamauga (Jim Miller), Guntersville (Keith Youngblood), and Melton Hill (John Klemski). Congratulations to the following Adopt a Trail volunteers for earning their hammocks. Keep up the good work!
Greg Penn, Watts Bar Reservoir
Members of the Alabama Backcountry Horsemen of America, Northeast Alabama Chapter
Brenda Hall, Nickajack Reservoir
Complete four site visits, submit your monitoring forms and earn your hammocks next! If you have already earned your hammock, we would love to see a photo of where you use it. Just include the hashtag #tvafun on your social media posts. Keep the photos coming of how you have fun on TVA public lands! Check out this amazing photo that Keith Youngblood took on Guntersville Lake near the Preston boat ramp, which is his Adopt a Spot.
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These places need your help!
We have several informal camping locations on Kentucky Reservoir that need adoption by volunteers. These include Hickory Park, Chandler Park and Dog Road. Volunteers will help by monitoring the locations up to four times a year, picking up litter and maintaining campfire rings where applicable.
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Reminders & Upcoming Events
- Adopt a Spot Volunteers: remember to fill out your Condition Evaluation Report and submit your volunteer hours to volunteer@tva.gov.
- Complete 8 site visits and you’ll earn our new volunteer t-shirt. It is quick-dry and long-sleeved!
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Got a question? Pick the PLIC
TVA’s Public Land Information Center (PLIC) is your single source for answers to questions about a variety of public land topics including recreational opportunities and shoreline permits.
Call (800) 882-5263 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET or submit your question using the form found here.
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Join the fun!
We would love to see photos of your volunteer activities and stories. Send them to volunteer@tva.gov for a chance to be featured in the next newsletter.
Share your adventure on social media by tagging #tvafun to your posts on Instagram or Facebook
Find out about volunteer events and opportunities on TVA public lands in other parts of seven states in the Tennessee Valley by visiting the www.tva.com/volunteer
Plan your next adventure on TVA lands by visiting www.tva.com/recreation
Have a question about TVA lands? Call us at 1-800-TVA-LAND.
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