Photo illustration by Abeth Stambaugh/Hellbender Press

As UT acts against professor who privately posted hateful things about Charlie Kirk, has law prof with own social blunder gone full apparatchik?

KNOXVILLE — It didn’t take long for the fallout from Charlie Kirk’s murder to land in Big Orange country.

Just five days after Kirk’s life was tragically snuffed out by a sniper’s bullet, the University of Tennessee announced the commencement of termination proceedings against anthropology professor Tamar Shirinian for allegedly making grossly inappropriate comments on social media about Kirk’s killing.

(WBIR reported that a chastened Shirinian has since apologized and implored the university via letter to chancellor Donde Plowman to reconsider its decision.)

First of all — to be resoundingly clear — I’m disgusted by Shirinian’s behavior and don’t feel much sympathy for her. After learning of Kirk’s death, she posted: “The world is better off without him in it. Even those who are claiming to be sad for his wife and kids....like, his kids are better off living in a world without a disgusting psychopath like him and his wife, well, she's a sick f—- for marrying him so I dont care about her feelings.”

Shirinian’s comments were needlessly cruel, grotesque, and misanthropic. Nonetheless, I have some serious questions about how UT has handled this case, and I’ve resolved to pose them even though I fear I may end up in hot water for doing so. This is the Golden Age of Canceling, after all, and I’ve been told since I was a kid that I have a preternatural ability to tick off authority figures. Of course, that also means I’ve had lots of practice basking in stew pots.

With that in mind, let me ask my conservative friends how they would react if some Far Left, “woke” professor had watched footage of the crowd gathered around the capitol on January 6, 2021, and tweeted the following message to nearby motorists: “Run them down!” 

Search centered on Big Creek area near TN/NC line

HARTFORD — Park rangers and others searching for a 21-year-old man found his body in the Big Creek area of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Ryan Lakes was last seen Sept. 18 in Nashville. His vehicle was found in the park on Sept. 20.

In an update on the search Monday afternoon, the park service released the following statement:

"Ryan Lakes was found deceased at approximately 2:45 p.m. on Sept. 21 in the Big Creek area of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

“Lakes, age 21, was last seen Thursday, Sept. 18 in Nashville, TN and his vehicle was found in the Big Creek area of the park on Sept. 20. Park rangers and local agencies completed an initial search on Sept. 20 and continued search efforts on Sept. 21.“ 

University of Tennessee professor emeritus Gary McCracken is seen this summer near the new massive bat house built at Ijams Nature Center in Knoxville. McCracken, who will help with research at the site, spent his life studying bats; he attributes their northward migration to climate change and warns of critical pest-control gaps if bats continue their decline.  J.J. Stambaugh/Hellbender Press

New exhibit will host research into critical pest-control species; could attract 200,000 bats to urban wildlife refuge

Bat, bat,
Come under my hat,
And I'll give you a slice
of bacon;
And when I bake
I'll give you a cake,
If I am not mistaken.

— Traditional nursery rhyme 

KNOXVILLE — Of all the critters that share this Earth with Homo sapiens, bats might have the most schizophrenic reputation of all.

Depending on who you ask, bats — of which there are at least a dozen species in East Tennessee alone — are seen as creepy, adorable, weird, useful or diseased. Opinions may vary, but the one thing that most folks might agree upon is that bats are, well, fascinating.

And that’s a good thing for local nature lovers, because up to 200,000 of them should soon be living at South Knoxville’s own nonprofit wildlife sanctuary, Ijams Nature Center.

Under the direction of University of Tennessee professor emeritus Gary McCracken and Ijam’s conservation director, Ben Nanny, a bat house has been constructed near Meads Quarry that’s expected to attract a large colony of Mexican free-tailed bats that will prove to be a delight for Ijams visitors. 

Newfound Gap Road through Great Smoky Mountains National Park remains closed because of a washout between Sugarlands and Newfound Gap that occurred during a heavy rain event; park officials anticipate it reopening by Sept. 30.  Kenzie Connor via NPS

US 441 from Sugarlands to Newfound Gap expected to reopen by end of September after heavy rains wash out roadway

Katie Liming is a public information officer with the National Park Service.

GATLINBURG — The National Park Service and the Federal Highway Administration continue to work quickly to repair the road washout on US 441/Newfound Gap Road. The FHWA has awarded the contract to Eclipse Companies, LLC, and the NPS and FHWA held a pre-construction meeting with the contractor on Friday. The contractor was expected to begin mobilizing equipment and supplies this week.  

Construction is expected to be completed on or before September 30.  

The park responded Aug. 1 to reports of a road washout and landslide event on Newfound Gap Road between mile marker 12 and 13 on the Tennessee side of the park (south of Alum Cave trailhead).

The affected area spans about 125 feet and has significantly undercut nearly the entire width of the southbound lane. On August 2, NPS and FWHA engineers visited the slide and immediately began project scoping. Both agencies worked quickly to complete the required steps of the design, permitting and contracting processes for construction. 

A public park planned along U.S. 321 in Maryville will honor East Tennessee conservation legend Billy Minser.  Linda Albert via social media

The park will host hiking trails and natural areas for the public to enjoy

MARYVILLE — The city and Foothills Land Conservancy (FLC) have partnered on the creation of Billy Minser Park, a new 23-acre public green space set to open in 2025 off U.S. 321 in Blount County.

The property for the park was donated by the late Catherine Gilreath to FLC and the City of Maryville with the shared goal of creating a space for public enjoyment and environmental education. The park is under a conservation easement ­— meaning it will be protected from development forever.

When complete, Billy Minser Park will feature hiking and walking trails along a scenic creek corridor through forests and open fields. It will serve as a place for the community to connect with nature while preserving local habitat.

The park honors William “Billy” Minser — a beloved conservationist, educator and long-time FLC board member whose career has spanned decades in forestry, wildlife management and land preservation. 

Little River, seen here at Elkmont in the Great Smokies, is the main source of drinking, agricultural and commercial water for rapidly growing Blount County. It is a pristine river for much of its stretch, but even this water source needs filtration before consumption. Be careful when selecting a filtration system for your home.  Thomas Fraser/Hellbender Press

Looking for a home water-filtration system? Don’t get reamed by unscrupulous companies; and yes, even sexist behavior

LOUISVILLE — Earlier this summer, a small part of Louisville was placed under a boil notice by South Blount County Utility District after a water test came back positive for coliform and E-Coli. Both are microorganisms that cause disease in humans, and can lead to deadly consequences if ingested long-term.

Recently, it seems like more and more water contaminants have been found throughout East Tennessee and parts of Northwest Georgia. Georgia, for instance, has water issues so severe than Erin Brockovich (environmentalist legend) has advocated for home owners in the area.

Brockovich is in a legal battle against several manufacturers because they concealed information regarding PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) contaminating local water supplies.  PFAS pose serious health concerns for those drinking water that contains them. As a result of such revelations, health care providers in affected areas advise Americans to have their home’s water quality tested, while vendors of home filtration systems and gadgets urge them to pursue water treatment and filtration.

Editor’s note: The U.S. Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974 requires all public water systems to regularly test their water quality, to alert the public if unsafe concentrations of contaminants are detected, and to annually publish a Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). The CCR must list test results in detail to help people make informed choices about the water they drink. If you are a customer of a water utility, consult your CCR every year. If you live in a home that is no older than 50 years, have no doubts that its plumbing was installed by qualified professionals, have no inhabitant with health-related chemical sensitivities and never notice any odd flavor in your drinking water, you may find private water testing unwarranted.

I did marketing for a water filter supplier and would like to supply Tennesseans and others with some do’s and don’ts when navigating the water-treatment world. Please note, these are my opinions and are simply here to help you in your quest for clean water. 

Have your water tested

It is vital to have your water tested for contaminants. Lead, chlorine, PFA levels and hardness are all issues you have to monitor. I implore you to test your home’s water every 3-4 years to be aware of any changes that may occur. If you are looking to buy a new home, have your water tested as part of your home inspection.

Lots of water-filtration suppliers offer free testing. Some you can trust; others you can’t. The majority of suppliers want to hear from you, and they want to sell you a filter. Some may even resort to scare tactics to seal the deal. If you can, start your testing through your utility district or a home inspector specifically trained in water filtration. 

Swap seeds and stories and sample local pawpaws at first Pawpaw Festival

KNOXVILLE — Multiple wildcrafters, seed collectors and general treehuggers — and wild critters — here and throughout the Southern Appalachians are really getting into wild pawpaw trees and their fruit.

Asimina triloba, the American papaw, is native to hardwood forest understories of the eastern United States, including the rich oak, hickory and maple forests of the Appalachians. It can be cultivated on private land or urban food plots, and of course grows richly in area forests. Its fruit is widely described as custard-like in texture.

There is a growing critical mass of pawpaw fans to meet occasionally and swap seed and its Knoxville’s turn to recognize the humble yet mighty local fruit. The first of what is planned to be an annual event is set 6 p.m. Aug. 31 at the Trailhead Beer Market, 1317 Island Home Ave.

A bee pollinates an almond tree in an orchard. Concerns are growing that there is an increasing disconnect between pollinating plants and their pollinators due to climate change.  David Kosling/U.S. Department of Agriculture

The problem with climate change isn’t just the temperature. It’s how fast the climate is changing.

This story was originally published by The Conversation. Courtney McGinnis is a professor of biology, medical sciences and environmental sciences at Quinnipiac University.

Historically, Earth’s climate changes have generally happened over thousands to millions of years. Today, global temperatures are increasing by about 0.36 degrees Fahrenheit (0.2 degrees Celsius) per decade.

Imagine a car speeding up. Over time, human activities such as burning fossil fuels, have increased the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. These gases trap heat from the Sun. This is like pressing the gas pedal. The faster the driver adds gas, the faster the car goes. 

The 21^st century has seen a dramatic acceleration in the rate of climate change, with global temperatures rising more than three times faster than in the previous century.

The faster pace and higher temperatures are changing habitat ranges for plants and animals. In some regions, the pace of change is also throwing off the delicate timing of pollination, putting plants and pollinators such as bees at risk.

Some species are already migrating

Most plant and animal species can tolerate or at least recover from short-term changes in climate, such as a heat wave. When the changes last longer, however, organisms may need to migrate into new areas to adapt for survival.

What can YOU, and those around you, do to make your lifestyle more sustainable?

Today is a good opportunity to make a resolution or a promise to yourself and those around you to adopt a new habit or practice that will reduce your environmental impacts. Perhaps, you have already taken such a step a while ago and you may now scale it up or add something else to it?

EarthSolidarity!™ is focusing on individual and small-group initiatives that facilitate practical, local, down-to-Earth actions that can readily be replicated by many and thus add up to significant improvements in the community, the bioregion and — through equivalent locally and regionally tuned initiatives — contribute to our national and even global environmental health.

You may have found that it’s not so difficult, and perhaps you discovered some ways of making it easier or more successful than you thought possible at first. If so, please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Encourage those next to you to adopt the same or similar action. We are looking for leaders like you that are willing to help organize or just advise small environmental action groups at the neighborhood level or within local businesses and organizations.

University of Tennessee leads the way in this year’s local Earth Day observances

KNOXVILLE — It’s once again time to celebrate Earth Day — Earth Week, really — and as it has in past years, Hellbender Press has a few suggestions for some fun ways for families to celebrate the planet we call home on April 22 and beyond.

The theme of this year’s Earth Day, which is its 55th observance, is Our Power, Our Planet.

If you have items you’d like to add to the list, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

This list will be updated.

STEAM Earth Day event

— 6-7 p.m., Tuesday, April 22, Carter Branch Library, 9036 Asheville Highway, Knoxville. Register here.

The University of Tennessee Office of Sustainability Earth Week

— The sustainability office has an entire month devoted to Earth Day.

— 3 p.m.-5 p.m., Tuesday April 22, UT Gardens, 2514 Jacob Drive: Join a cleanup of Third Creek.

— 11 a.m.-2 p.m. April 22, 21^st Mortgage Plaza, UT Earth Day Festival will feature fun games, food and drinks.

Babies and Blooms Earth Day Festival 

— 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, April 26, INCubator, 100 Cherokee Blvd., Chattanooga 

One of the goals behind a recent partnership among UTIA and state agencies is the promotion of heartier food species such as this oak. The new five-year agreement between the UTIA Tree Improvement Program, the Tennessee Division of Forestry and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency focuses on developing locally adapted and genetically improved seed for future Tennessee forests.  Allison Mains/UTIA

UTIA Tree Improvement Program and state agencies work together to protect and conserve the state’s forest resources

Katie Donaldson is a communications specialist for the University of Tennessee School of Natural Resources.

KNOXVILLE — A new, five-year agreement establishes how the state of Tennessee and a program in the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture will study and produce tree seedlings to promote the protection and conservation of Tennessee forests.

The UTIA Tree Improvement Program (UT-TIP), the Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry (TDF) and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) partnered on the agreement.

“Honoring our land-grant mission, we are excited about this partnership to responsibly research, develop, manage and conserve forest resources across the great state of Tennessee,” said Keith Carver, UTIA senior vice chancellor and senior vice president.

UT-TIP manages numerous seed orchards in East, Middle and West Tennessee with help from state and federal partners. It uses the orchards to provide the East Tennessee Nursery with locally adapted and genetically improved seed. 

The regionally famous Bull Run smokestack was demolished this summer by the Tennessee Valley Authority as the federal utility phases out the use of coal to generate electricity. Climate activists are alarmed by TVA’s plans to replace coal with natural gas, itself a powerful greenhouse gas pollutant.  Tennessee Valley Authority

What’s next for mammoth utility after demolition of Claxton, Tenn. landmark stack?

CLAXTON — In a matter of seconds, the old smokestack fell like a giant tree, heaving clouds of dust as it hit the ground. Workers set off the implosion with a loud boom at the base of the towering smokestack on June 28, at Bull Run Fossil Plant just outside of Oak Ridge. Minutes earlier, the shorter and more modern ‘scrubber’ bit the dust in similar fashion.

Trichloroethylene is among the chemicals deemed a serious public health risk by way of the Environmental Protection Agency’s IRIS database. Legislation in Congress could bar the use of IRIS and its associated scientific methods from being used to calculate the environmental and human health risks of chemicals such as TCE, a proven carcinogen.  ChemLibrarian/Wikipedia Commons

Two bills in Congress would prohibit the Environmental Protection Agency from using hundreds of chemical assessments completed by its IRIS program in environmental regulations or enforcement.

This story was originally published by ProPublica.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — For decades, Republican lawmakers and industry lobbyists have tried to chip away at the small program in the Environmental Protection Agency that measures the threat of toxic chemicals.

Most people don’t know IRIS, as the program is called, but it is the scientific engine of the agency that protects human health and the environment. Its scientists assess the toxicity of chemicals, estimating the amount of each that triggers cancer and other health effects. And these values serve as the independent, nonpartisan basis for the rules, regulations and permits that limit our exposure to toxic chemicals.

Now IRIS faces the gravest threat to its existence since it was created under President Ronald Reagan four decades ago.

Legislation introduced in Congress would prohibit the EPA from using any of IRIS’ hundreds of chemical assessments in environmental rules, regulations, enforcement actions and permits that limit the amount of pollution allowed into air and water. The EPA would also be forbidden from using them to map the health risks from toxic chemicals. The bills, filed in both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives earlier this year, are championed by companies that make and use chemicals, along with industry groups that have long opposed environmental rules. If it becomes law, the “No IRIS Act,” as it’s called, would essentially bar the agency from carrying out its mission, experts told ProPublica.

“They’re trying to undermine the foundations for doing any kind of regulation,” said William Boyd, a professor at UCLA School of Law who specializes in environmental law. Boyd noted that IRIS reports on chemicals’ toxicity are the first step in the long process of creating legal protections from toxic pollutants in air and water.

“If you get rid of step one, you’re totally in the dark,” he said.

If the act passes, companies could even use the law to fight the enforcement of environmental rules that have long been on the books or permits that limit their toxic emissions, environmental lawyers said.

The ForWarn vegetation tracking tool shows areas of red where extreme disturbance to the forest canopy occurred in Western North Carolina, East Tennessee and southern Virginia as a result of Hurricane Helene in late September 2024.  Jitendra Kumar/ORNL, U.S. Dept. of Energy

Information will help timber gleaning, fire-hazard mitigation

Stephanie Seay is a senior science writer and communications specialist at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

OAK RIDGE — A visualization tool that tracks changes to the nation’s forests in near-real time is helping resource managers pinpoint areas with the most damage from Hurricane Helene in the Southeast.

The ForWarn visualization tool was co-developed by Oak Ridge National Laboratory with the U.S. Forest Service. The tool captures and analyzes satellite imagery to track impacts such as storms, wildfire and pests on forests across the nation. 

When staff with the Forest Service’s Eastern Forest Environmental Threat Assessment Center in Asheville, North Carolina, were unable to work in the immediate aftermath of Helene due to utility outages, the ORNL-hosted ForWarn system continued monitoring the storm’s impact and providing reports. ForWarn indicated areas of severe disturbance to the forest canopy that were later confirmed by aerial photography. 

“ForWarn helps quickly identify areas that may need remediation such as timber harvesting or prescribed burns as piles of felled trees dry out and potentially pose wildfire hazards,” said ORNL’s Jitendra Kumar.

The Beaver Creek Kayak Club, in partnership with Knox County Parks & Recreation and Legacy Parks Foundation, are excited to hold the 8^th annual Beaver Creek Flotilla!

Over 400 boats and 600+ people are expected to float down Knox County’s signature water trail. Participants will enjoy a fun-filled morning of recreation — don’t miss the opportunity to help support the Beaver Creek cleanup and showcase your company or organization at one of the best outdoor events!

All Flotilla event proceeds are dedicated to the continued improvements on Beaver Creek including debris clearing, creek bed cleanup and installation of public access docks.

Through our partnership with Legacy Parks Foundation, sponsorship donations are tax deductible and earmarked directly into the Beaver Creek Preservation Fund.

Each participant must register in advance to float the Beaver Creek Water Trail. A $10 per person registration fee and signed waiver is required.

More details and Registration

Earlier Beaver Creek reporting by Hellbender Press

Paddlers observe contractors hired to clean up Hurricane Helene debris in a stretch of the Little Tennessee River that was largely spared the ravages of the storm.  Angela Martin/MountainTrue

Tell Army Corps, county officials to stop deforestation and river disturbance on the Little T

This editorial was provided by MountainTrue.

FRANKLIN, N.C. — The Little Tennessee River is home to 100 fish species alone — some found nowhere else in the world. The river and its adjacent greenway are also a beloved recreational resource for Macon County residents and tourists alike. But over the past few weeks, the banks of the river have been under assault by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers contractors, removing hundreds of trees, many of which were still alive. Take action now to prevent further damage to the river!

While large-scale debris removal continues to be a high priority in many parts of Western North Carolina in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, the Little Tennessee River did not experience those same impacts; it saw only normal flooding. Apart from a few localized areas, like the Cullasaja River across from Walmart, there is no need for disaster recovery-type debris removal in Macon County waterways. And yet, contractors started near Tryphosa Road in Otto and have been working their way down the river, removing trees and debris from the river channel and banks in areas where no flooding impacts occurred. 

Russell Roper displays a 43-inch striped bass caught at Ft. Loudoun Dam. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is considering the effects of a TVA dam upgrade at Cherokee Lake on striper populations.  TWRA

TWRA assessing potential impacts to popular game fish from changes to Cherokee Dam aeration system

Matthew Cameron is a wildlife information specialist at Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. 

JEFFERSON CITY — The Tennessee Valley Authority has announced plans to replace the current aeration system at Cherokee Dam with new turbine technology by 2026. These upgrades, designed to improve water quality downstream, may have unintended consequences for aquatic wildlife in Cherokee Reservoir — particularly striped bass. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) is currently evaluating these potential impacts.

The existing oxygenation lines in Cherokee Reservoir were originally installed to meet TVA’s requirement for minimum dissolved oxygen levels in water discharged below the dam. However, an unexpected benefit of this system has been the creation of a cool, oxygen-rich refuge in the reservoir during summer months — a critical survival zone for large striped bass. These fish rely on cooler, well-oxygenated water to make it through Tennessee’s hot summers, and Cherokee Reservoir provides limited natural options. 

The towering Space Needle in Gatlinburg offers views of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The city is host to the Tennessee Sustainability Conference set to begin Aug. 20.  Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce

Conservation education event is hosted in part by Tennessee Chamber to address sustainability challenges

GATLINBURG — The annual Tennessee Sustainability Conference is scheduled to take place Aug. 20-22 at the Park Vista Hotel. The conference is a partnership among Tennessee Recycling Coalition, Tennessee Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Tennessee Environmental Conference. It brings together environmental professionals from across the region.

Nearby Great Smoky Mountains National Park is an internationally known treasure trove of biodiversity and accompanying sustainability research. 

“The three-day event will provide attendees an accelerated learning opportunity featuring the latest trends and best practices in environmental sustainability,” said Tennessee Recycling Coalition Executive Director Amber Greene. “Staying on the cutting-edge of our ever-growing industry is essential to improving the lives of all Tennesseans. I encourage environmental leaders across the state to join us.”

According to organizers, the event will bring environmental professionals, decision-makers, government officials, business and industry leaders, attorneys, consultants, engineers, developers, architects, agribusiness leaders, energy experts, water planning districts, universities, public health officials, and solid waste and recycling experts, from across the region to learn about the latest trends and best practices in environmental sustainability. 

80^th Anniversary events organized by the Oak Ridge Environmental Peace Alliance

Visit the OREPA website for details and more events.

80^th Anniversary events organized by the Oak Ridge Environmental Peace Alliance

Peace pilgrimage from the Great Smoky Mountains

Peace Walk: Bearing Witness to Hiroshima, August 4–9, 2025

Names and remembrance ceremony

Wednesday, August 6 | 6:00–9:00 a.m.
Location: Across from the Y-12 Security Complex main entrance way in Oak Rige
Join us to honor the victims of Hiroshima with a morning of names and remembrance, bell ringing and a visual tribute of paper cranes; please be sure to bring a chair. 

Photo Lecture & Artist Panel

Wednesday, August 6 | 6:30 p.m.
Addison’s Bookstore, 126 S. Gay Street, Knoxville
An evening with Yvonne Dalschen, Black Atticus and guest artists reflecting on the legacy of Hiroshima through art, storytelling and music.

Visit the OREPA website for details and more events.

Rosemary Bear (class of 2022) cools off in a cub tub (all to herself this time, thank you) on a hot July day at Appalachian Bear Rescue in Townsend. The center entered a new agreement with licensing authority Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency that calls for improved sanitation, regular pen rotation and burnovers and other management techniques. TWRA euthanized 13 bears in December 2024 following fatal and persistent strains of pneumonia. The center has been closed since; ABR director Greg Grieco said on July 22 the facility expects to complete renovations and be ready for the next crop of orphaned and injured bears by spring 2026.  Appalachian Bear Rescue

TWRA and bear rescue center reach agreement to resume rehab services at Townsend facility next year

This is a joint release from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and Appalachian Bear Rescue.

NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) and Appalachian Bear Rescue (ABR) have reached a new partnership agreement for black bear rehabilitation in Tennessee.

During the course of 2023 and 2024, the presence of pneumonia raised initial concerns about the health of bears being housed at ABR. After a difficult decision in December 2024 to euthanize 13 bears, the agency temporarily paused the placement of bears at the facility.

In the months that followed, TWRA staff sought input from bear managers, wildlife veterinarians and disease pathologists in other states on best management practices and pen sanitation measures such as discing, burns and leaving pens empty on an annual rotational schedule. ABR staff immediately started working to implement extensive modifications and upgrades to the facility to align with the recommendations of these professionals. 

TWRA leadership also began working with ABR to draft an official operating agreement to strengthen the relationship between the two entities, set clear expectations for best management practices for bear rehabilitation and provide transparency to members of the public invested in wildlife conservation.

Pollinators play a vital role in maintaining our ecosystems, economies and agriculture. Here’s a bee in flight at the UT Gardens in Knoxville.  R. Lazarian/UTIA

Get your buzz on in Knoxville or two other locations in the state during Pollinator Week June 16-25

Lauren Tolley is a University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture marketing and communications associate. 

KNOXVILLE — The University of Tennessee Bee Campus Committee, a group comprised of UT faculty, staff and students, in partnership with the Tennessee Valley Authority and UT Gardens, invites communities across the state to celebrate national Pollinator Week at a series of “Garden Buzz” pollinator events on June 17.

Pollinator Week is an annual celebration in support of pollinator health, initiated and managed by the Pollinator Partnership. This year’s theme is “Pollinators Weave Connections” — highlighting the essential roles pollinators play in creating and expression of human culture, the food we enjoy and the beauty that surrounds us. Pollinator Week is June 16-25.

Similar to UT and TVA’s collaborative Garden Buzz celebrations in previous years, the 2025 Garden Buzz celebrations will offer participants opportunities to learn more about pollinators in Tennessee through educational activities. Attendees can also learn how to start their own pollinator gardens with locally grown plants that help support a thriving ecosystem.

USFWS names Laurel Dace Team a 2024 Recovery Champion

From left to right, top to bottom: Sarah Kate Bailey, Geoff Call, Stephanie Chance, Makenzie Foster, Anna George, Helaina Gomez, Abbey Holsopple, Bernie Kuhajda, Tigris Nevans and Warren Stiles.  Image Details

Congratulations to the honorees of the US Fish & Wildlife Service award for the Southeast

“During the summer and fall of 2024, a prolonged drought emerged as a preeminent threat to the Laurel dace, a freshwater minnow native to Tennessee. During this pivotal time, the Laurel Dace Rescue Team provided for the ongoing conservation and survival of the endangered fish by developing a water level monitoring protocol and planning for individuals to be collected and brought into captivity to maintain representation from the last two wild populations. In a short period, the team collaborated to rescue, transport, and house more than 200 fish while maintaining separation of individuals from each population. The Aquarium led the ‘Race for the Laurel Dace’ fundraising campaign, which helped significantly raise public awareness of the species’ plight and secure funding to help ensure the availability of the specialized emergency care needed for the rescued individuals. The Service’s diligent work to sample, collect, transport, and care for individual laurel dace were invaluable to this effort.”

Sarah Kate Bailey - Tennessee Aquarium

Geoff Call - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Stephanie Chance - Tennessee Aquarium

Makenzie Foster - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Anna George - Tennessee Aquarium

Helaina Gomez - Tennessee Aquarium

Abbey Holsopple - Tennessee Aquarium

Bernie Kuhajda - Tennessee Aquarium

Tigris Nevans - Tennessee Aquarium

Warren Stiles - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Recovery Champions are U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service staff and their partners whose work is advancing the recovery of endangered and threatened species of plants and animals.

Hellbender Press previously reported on emergency efforts to rescue the fish from drought conditions on Walden Ridge.

A postman butterfly feeds on a bloom in the Tennessee Aquarium’s Butterfly Garden in Chattanooga. At any one time, the garden may host 1,000 to 1,500 butterflies representing more than 200 species.  Courtesy Tennessee Aquarium

A third of species declined by half in U.S.; relatively simple steps can improve outlook

This story was originally published by The Conversation.

If the joy of seeing butterflies seems increasingly rare these days, it isn’t your imagination.

From 2000 to 2020, the number of butterflies fell by 22% across the continental United States. That’s 1 in 5 butterflies lost. The findings are from an analysis just published in the journal Science by the U.S. Geological Survey’s Powell Center Status of Butterflies of the United States Working Group, which I am involved in.

We found declines in just about every region of the continental U.S. and across almost all butterfly species.

Overall, nearly one-third of the 342 butterfly species we were able to study declined by more than half. Twenty-two species fell by more than 90 percent. Only nine actually increased in numbers.

Some species’ numbers are dropping faster than others. The West Coast lady, a fairly widespread species across the western U.S., dropped by 80 percent in 20 years. Given everything we know about its biology, it should be doing fine — it has a wide range and feeds on a variety of plants. Yet its numbers are absolutely tanking across its range. 

Last year’s Annual Incredible Farm Dinner Downtown had to be cancelled because of Hurricane Helene.

The already legendary Greeneville tradition celebrates local farms and community. It’s hosted by the Rural Resources Farm & Food Education Center. Many local sponsors, businesses, farms, churches and the Town of Greeneville make this event possible. Get your tickets early! The dinner sells out every year, a testament to its success and the value of the Rural Resources programming it supports.