
11 Sustainable Cities and Communities (153)
Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
On Endangered Species Day, a timely honor for saving a rare Cumberland Plateau fish
Written by Hellbender PressUSFWS 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.
Nokian Tyres makes rubber hit the road for conservation of endangered fish in Southeast Tennessee
Written by Wes BolingA laurel dace (Chrosomus saylori) collected by Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute scientists at Bumbee Creek in Rhea County, Tenn. Tennessee Aquarium
Spring City set to celebrate a rare denizen of Walden Ridge almost decimated by drought
Wes Boling is marketing communications manager for Nokian Tyres Dayton Factory.
SPRING CITY — Nokian Tyres will serve as presenting sponsor of Laurel Dace Day, a community celebration of an endangered fish, set for Saturday, May 17, in Spring City.
The inaugural event led by the Tennessee Aquarium raises awareness of the laurel dace, a critically endangered fish found only in the Walden Ridge area 20 miles from Nokian Tyres’ North American factory in Dayton.
Laurel Dace Day features a 5K race and half-mile family fun run, followed by a festival at the Spring City Nature Park with live music, a farmers’ market, local vendors and conservation education. The event is free to attend, other than registration fees for participation in the races.
Community members can learn more about the event and register for races at TNAqua.org
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Roles and history of riparian forests in Tennessee
Wednesday, May 14, 5:30 p.m.
South Side Garage
1014 Sevier Ave, Knoxville
For more information and RSVP go to “Green Drinks Knoxville” on Facebook
Join us on our NEW date, the second Wednesdays of the month
KNOXVILLE — Tennessee has a natural abundance of water resources and biodiverse ecosystems. Unfortunately, 60% of Tennessee’s waterways are not meeting federal standards.
Stream habitat has been consistently declining in the last several decades. Restoring and conserving high value riparian areas will be an essential part of combating the negative impacts of urban development.
Barriers to resources prevent communities from effectively tackling these projects on their own, severely limiting cohesive statewide efforts for water quality improvement.
Maddy Johnson will introduce practical methods of restoring a riparian area in various settings at no to low cost.
Green Drinks Knoxville is a social and professional organization that convenes open-minded folks to encourage education and conversation about the environment, green technologies, sustainable lifestyles, and more. Our events are free and open to the public. We welcome all and support racial diversity, gender equality and LGBTQ inclusivity.
Wetlands protections built an industry. Rollbacks could erode it.
Written by Cassandra Stephenson and Delany Dryfoos Paul Stoddard, a principal at environmental consulting firm EnSafe, unlocks the gate to the West Tennessee Wetlands Mitigation Bank in Shelby County. EnSafe planted more than 50,000 trees to restore portions of this 250-acre wetland, creating credits for developers to purchase to offset destruction of wetlands elsewhere. Karen Pulfer Focht for Tennessee Lookout
Interests of all stripes push to preserve state wetlands protections against pro-developer pressure
This story is part of the series Down the Drain from the Mississippi River Basin Ag & Water Desk, an independent reporting collaborative based at the University of Missouri in partnership with Report for America, with major funding from the Walton Family Foundation.
LEWISBURG — Fourth-generation Middle Tennessee cattle farmer Cole Liggett lined up with scientists and environmental advocates in March to urge Tennessee lawmakers not to gut the state’s historically strong protections for wetlands.
Wetlands protection has been good business for Liggett. In addition to raising cattle, he’s a manager at Headwaters Reserve, a firm that developers pay to preserve and restore wetlands and streams so they can destroy them elsewhere, called mitigation banking. If lawmakers follow through on a plan to deregulate an estimated 80 percent of the state’s isolated wetlands, that will upend the industry in Tennessee and drive up prices for developers still required to pay for mitigation, Liggett testified.
Liggett works in a growing industry that operates more than 2,500 mitigation banks nationwide, earning an estimated $3.5 billion in revenue in 2019, according to a 2023 study funded by the Ecological Restoration Business Association.
The industry is built on demand spurred by the 1972 U.S. Clean Water Act, which requires developers to offset their damage to wetlands by building or restoring wetlands nearby.
But recent federal actions to shrink the scope of that law are pushing states to choose how strictly they will regulate wetlands. The consequences of those decisions not only threaten further degradation of land, water and wildlife, but also the fortunes of an industry that has made a big business out of conservation.
Hit Knoxville’s wild side and celebrate the city’s great outdoors
Written by OutlandishAFThis seemingly primeval scene is actually within the city limits of Knoxville at Ijams Nature Center. The popular park is part of the Urban Wilderness and will be home to the Outlandish Adventure Festival set for May 2-3. Thomas Fraser/Hellbender Press
Outlandish Adventure Festival’s celebrations of the outdoors include climbing competitions, SUP races, guided hikes and yoga
KNOXVILLE — The city’s great outdoors is calling — and the Outlandish Adventure Festival is answering with two days packed full of adrenaline-pumping fun, scenic exploration and unforgettable experiences. Set for May 2-3 at Ijams Nature Center, this action-packed celebration of the region’s rivers, rocks, and trails invites adventurers of all levels to get outside and play.
The Outlandish Adventure Festival is a collaborative effort by the area’s rich collection of outdoor enthusiasts and organizations, including Visit Knoxville, Ijams, Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness, AMBC, Knoxville Adventure Collective, River Sports Outfitters, The Maker City, Legacy Parks and The City of Knoxville. They’ve created a weekend to inspire exploration, connection, adventure and celebration of Knoxville’s natural beauty.
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UT joins forces with two state agencies to promote healthy forests and their wildlife in Tennessee
Written by Katie Donaldson 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.
Editorial: Despite the rhetoric, responsible growth is a bipartisan goal
Written by Coffee County for Responsible GrowthCoffee County is under development pressure, but it’s not a political fight
This editorial was provided by Coffee County for Responsible Growth, but applies to planning and development debates throughout the Southeast.
MANCHESTER — We keep hearing the claim that land protection, conservation and zoning are “liberal issues.”
Let’s set the record straight: That’s simply not true.
Protecting Coffee County’s farmland, water, infrastructure and rural way of life isn’t a political talking point — it’s common sense. And it’s deeply bipartisan.
We’ve got Conservatives, Republicans, Democrats, Independents and Libertarians all standing together. Not because of party lines — but because we love where we live, we recognize the importance of agriculture, and we value community.
Play Knoxville: Put an idea pin in public recreation assets, greenways and parks
Written by City of KnoxvilleThose with ideas they want to contribute to the Knoxville Parks and Rec master plan can do so by way of an interactive map. Shown here are many of the center city’s public recreation assets. Note the size of the Urban Wilderness, a valuable natural and recreational resource accessible to the visitors and the city’s 200,000 residents. Hellbender Press
The city invites the public to share input on the future of Knoxville parks, including greenways and the urban wilderness; citizens can put a pin in a park with their ideas
KNOXVILLE — The public engagement phase for Play Knoxville, the City’s Parks & Recreation Master Plan, is now underway. The master plan will help guide investments in parks, greenways, community centers and programming over the next decade.
The planning process started in January with the formation of a steering committee of community leaders. Since then, city staff and consultants from Perez Planning + Design have conducted dozens of focus groups, one-on-one meetings with City Council and cabinet members, and site visits to nearly 70 parks across Knoxville.
Over the coming weeks, community members will have multiple opportunities to provide input through neighborhood and community meetings; public events; direct outreach and social media engagement; an interactive mapping tool and an online survey.
The Play Knoxville website is now live.
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Get down and dirty with history at Big South Fork celebration of spring
A farrier demonstrates his skills during a past installment of the annual Spring Planting and Music Festival at Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, set this year for April 26. National Park Service
ONEIDA — Step back in time and experience history in motion at the 25th Annual Spring Planting and Music Festival from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. April 26 at Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area.
Traditions of early Appalachian settlers come to life at this free, family-friendly event. Visitors are invited to immerse themselves in the heritage of the Big South Fork region with live demonstrations, traditional crafts, music and hands-on activities that showcase the self-sufficient way of life practiced by generations past.
Set against the picturesque backdrop of the Oscar and Lora Blevins farm sites and the Bandy Creek area, the festival offers a rare opportunity to experience traditional Appalachian life. Visitors will see a variety of demonstrations and hands-on activities that highlight the skills and craftsmanship of early settlers.
One of the festival’s most anticipated highlights is the plowing and planting demonstration with mule and horse teams at the Lora Blevins field.
Children and adults alike will enjoy exploring old-time toys and taking part in interactive exhibits that make history come alive. Live music will be provided by some of the region’s most talented musicians.
Southeastern electric vehicle sales and investments arc against headwinds
Written by Stan CrossGeorgia and North Carolina lead EV investment and jobs; Florida tops market share and growth; Tennessee and Alabama lag behind
Stan Cross leads the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy dynamic Electric Transportation Team.
KNOXVILLE — Misinformation about the technology and the state of the electric-vehicle market is rampant. But beyond the noise are the facts, which show that the Southeast’s EV market is zipping along.
The Southeast continues to lead the nation in electric vehicles and battery-related jobs and private-sector investments. As of the end of 2024, updated data from the fifth annual Transportation Electrification in the Southeast report found that the region is home to a whopping 38 percent of the nation’s $215 billion in announced private-sector EV and battery investments and 31 percent of the anticipated 238,000 jobs. Georgia remains No. 1 in anticipated jobs and committed investments, with North Carolina a close second.
These investments deliver economic development and employment to our region’s rural communities. Toyota’s $13.9 billion battery manufacturing facility in Randolph County, North Carolina, is at the top of the rural economic development list. The facility is expected to create 5,100 jobs and is the nation’s most valuable clean energy investment. Hyundai has made the second-largest regional investment at its battery manufacturing and EV assembly plant in Bryan County, Georgia. That investment tops $6 billion and is expected to create 3,400 jobs. It has had a massive ripple effect, with Hyundai suppliers announcing more than $2.7 billion in investments and an anticipated 6,900 jobs across the state.
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‘A day of hope:’ Months after rescue from drought, endangered laurel dace return to the wild
Written by Casey Phillips Tennessee Aquarium Reintroduction Biologist II Teresa Israel examines a critically endangered laurel dace before its reintroduction to the wild in March 2025. In July 2024, about 300 of these fish — considered by scientists to be among the most imperiled in North America — were rescued out of rapidly drying streams on Walden Ridge north of Chattanooga. Tennessee Aquarium
Improving drought conditions on Cumberland Plateau enabled return of fish after 2024 rescue
Casey Phillips is a communications specialist at the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga.
CHATTANOOGA — After being saved from near-certain extinction last summer and overwintering in the expert care of biologists at the Tennessee Aquarium, more than 230 critically endangered laurel dace are finally back where they belong.
Last July, a prolonged regional drought caused many Southeast Tennessee streams to dwindle and, in some cases, dry up entirely. Atop Walden Ridge north of Chattanooga, water flow ceased at Bumbee Creek and Youngs Creek, the last sites known to support populations of Chrosomus saylori, the laurel dace.
When conditions in these rapidly disappearing waterways reached a tipping point, the Aquarium led a series of emergency rescue operations to save as many of these red-bellied, highlighter-yellow-finned minnows as possible. In coordination with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and with assistance from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the University of Georgia, about 300 laurel dace — the majority left on the planet — were relocated into the safety of human care at the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga and Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery in Jamestown, Kentucky.
According to the most recent report from the USDA’s U.S. Drought Monitor, much of Southeast Tennessee is still experiencing moderate drought conditions. However, a slightly wetter-than-average February made it safe to return these rescued minnows to the wild.
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First UT sustainability symposium offers a collaborative vision for the future
Written by Lucas HunterAll great scientific solutions start with collaboration
KNOXVILLE — The challenges facing the planet and its inhabitants have long been too complex for any one individual or group to address, and that’s why the great advancements in modern science begin with conferences, symposiums and collaboration.
The first Environmental Future Symposium is an effort from the University of Tennessee Office of Sustainability to present a vision of the future for area residents and University of Tennessee students.
Planned for the Agriculture and Natural Resources Ballroom and Plaza from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. March 27, the symposium is spearheaded by the office’s Alternative Energy and Transportation Coordinator Ben Gouffon. His vision for the event is simple: at the intersection of human-accelerated climate destabilization and a revitalization of the collapsing biosphere sits every individual and their actions. His hope is that this symposium is an avenue for every attendee to discover what they can do for Knoxville, the university and the planet they call home.
Cameroon’s vast and species-rich rainforests are of great importance for global biodiversity and the climate. They are also an important source of food and income for local people. A new study on hunting patterns in the jungles of West Africa includes research gathered by a University of Tennessee professor. Thomas Imo/German Federal Government
Adam Willcox subsisted on bush meat during African hunting study
Katie Donaldson is a communications specialist for the University of Tennessee School of Natural Resources.
KNOXVILLE — Data collected by a University of Tennessee research associate nearly 30 years ago is part of an extensive study that focuses on hunting patterns in African tropical forests.
Adam Willcox, a research associate professor in the UT Institute of Agriculture School of Natural Resources, co-authored the article, which was published recently in Nature Sustainability. “Regional patterns of wild animal hunting in African tropical forests” was also written by Daniel J. Ingram, research fellow at the University of Kent, and several other researchers. The data show how hunting management is needed to sustain wild animal populations in West and Central Africa.
The article uses data collected from 1991 to 2022 in 83 different studies to create a regional analysis of hunting patterns. Willcox contributed to the publication using research and data he gathered from 1996 to 2001 while promoting agroforestry in the U.S. Peace Corps in Cameroon. “I was in a lowland tropical forest. We did not have domestic alternatives for protein. We had to eat wild animals,” Willcox said. “My research followed 100 hunters around a wildlife sanctuary in Cameroon and their harvests.”
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Editorial: Old paradigms persist in proposed development of urban forest at UNC Asheville
Written by Noah PoulosUNC Asheville seems poised to develop a 45-acre forested tract in North Asheville into university amenities and housing. A grassroots movement has emerged to fight the proposal, such as Save the Woods, which has 3,000 members on Facebook. Save the Woods via social media
The university indicates development of 45-acre wooded property is pending as community rallies
Noah Poulos is a farmer, writer, educator and UNC Asheville graduate who lives in Western North Carolina.
ASHEVILLE — Many have come to know a small forest in North Asheville as an extension of their home.
In these humble woods of the Experimental Forest, near a botanical park and U.S. Forest Service research station, pileated woodpeckers peck vigorously in the canopy. Towering pines dapple the light on the forest floor as day turns to dusk.
It is a place that has become a mainstay of this community and people are deeply connected to it — through stories, memories, relationships and a deep appreciation for what a small woodland can offer.
This forest, while open to the public, is owned by UNC Asheville, which recently shared plans to develop it for additional campus amenities.
Opposition has arisen to the university’s development plans, especially since a statement from the institution that strongly implies development will proceed as part of an overall expansion and revenue plan.