Here are upcoming outdoor news and events:
Winter Workshop: Eat the Weeds in Your Own Back Yard, Jan. 26
Learn about edible plants that grow in your own back yard during our third Winter Workshop on Thurs., Jan. 26, 6 p.m. at Outdoor Chattanooga, 200 River St. in Coolidge Park. Herbalist Holli Richie will guide participants through a menu of weeds and even offer some taste samples. The workshop is free and open to the public. To learn more, email or call Outdoor Chattanooga at 643-6888.
Winter Workshop: Building a Bat House Feb. 2
A single small bat can eat as many as 1,200 mosquitoes in one night. At our next Winter Workshop, former TWRA wildlife officer Mike Bailey will share plans and tips for building bat houses. Learn about these often misunderstood mammals and how you can attract them to your back yard. The class happens on Thurs., Feb. 2, 6 p.m. at Outdoor Chattanooga, 200 River St. in Coolidge Park. To learn more, email or call Outdoor Chattanooga at (423) 643-6888.
Outdoor Chattanooga Bicycle Safety Classes, 2012
Outdoor Chattanooga and the League of American Bicyclists will offer several bicycle safety classes this winter and spring, from short, free seminars and a traffic skills class to an intensive cycling instructor workshop. Sign up now.
More Events
Register for the Volunteer Canoe and Kayak Races
The inaugural running of the Volunteer Canoe and Kayak Races will happen on Apr. 28, beginning in Knoxville. Registration is now open for 80, 48, 26 and five mile races. The 80 mile course will run on the Tennessee and Little Tennessee Rivers and take racers from downtown Knoxville to Chilhowee Dam at the base of the Smoky Mtns. Online registration is now open for all races.
Adventures
Soddy-Daisy TTA Hikes in February
The Soddy-Daisy chapter of the TN Trails Assoc. will host several winter hikes on the Cumberland Trail and other local trails, such as Raccoon Mtn. and the TN Riverpark during the month of Feb. Visit the chapter's Website for details or contact hike leader George Bonneau at 842-3619.
News
Needed: Pictures of Walkers, Cyclists and Transit Users
The City of Chattanooga's Office of Sustainability is adding a new transportation and mobility page to its website. If you have hi-res photos of walking, bicycling, or public transportation available for display on this site, please drop an email to Jenny Park or call 643-6884.
Survey: How do you Use the Tn. Riverpark Play Trail?
A Ph.D. candidate from the N.C. State University College of Design is doing a survey about the TN Riverpark’s Riverpoint Play Trail. Please take 4 minutes to complete the online survey. It’s completely safe and anonymous.
The Gear Closet Now Accepting Used Outdoor Gear for TenneSEA
Bring your used outdoor gear and clothing to Outdoor Chattanooga, 200 River St. and support the Tennessee Student Environmental Alliance and their efforts to educate about clean water. TenneSEA’s Gear Closet will open at the Outdoor Expo and Gear Swap on Sat., Apr. 21. Donation stations are also located on Signal Mtn., and in Hixson and on Brainerd Rd. To learn more, email the Gear Closet.
LPRF Grant Workshops Statewide on Feb. 13
The TN Dept. of Environment and Conservation is now accepting applications for Local Parks and Recreation Fund grants to help communities improve green spaces, develop trails and do capital projects in parks, natural areas and on greenways. TDEC will host a series of workshops throughout the state on Mon., Feb. 13, in Nashville, Knoxville and Jackson, TN to help communities understand the application process. LPRF grants require a 50 percent match, with a maximum possible award of $250,000. By statute, at least 60 percent of the funds allocated for these grants will be awarded to municipal governments. To learn more, or to register for a workshop, email Recreation Educational Services or call 615/532-0748.
2012 TN Bike Summit Coming to Chattanooga May 2-4
The 2012 Tn. Bike Summit will come to Chattanooga Wed.- Fri., May 2-4. In just one year, Tennessee rose from a low ranking of 43 to number 24 of the League of American Bicyclists Bicycle Friendly State list. Statewide, communities have implemented innovative bicycle infrastructure, programs, and legislation designed to promote safe, active transportation. To continue building this momentum, the 2012 Tennessee Bike Summit will serve as an opportunity for planners, engineers, researchers, and elected officials across the state to share successes, challenges, and strategies for moving Tennessee forward as a bike-friendly state. To learn how you can participate in the summit, email or call Chattanooga Bicycle Coordinator Philip Pugliese at 423/643-6887.
Web Hit of the Week
See how a Michigan woman relocated a colony of bats from inside to outside her barn.
Last Week’s Web Hit
In honor of this week’s Winter Workshop on winter cycling, we take you to a post on Commute by Bike.
Upcoming Events
February
18 - S-S-Snakes Alive at CA&NC
19 - Southern 6 Trail Race and Kiddie K
25 - Scenic City Half Marathon, 5K and Charity Challenge
March
9 - CaribbeanSEA Beach Party
10 - Scout Day at CA&NC
Booker T. Duathlon and Mtn. Bike Race
11 - Booker T. XC Mtn. Bike Race
17 - Durham Mine Site and Fossil Dig at CA&NC
24 - Rock/Creek River Gorge Trail Race
Rear in Gear 5K
31 - 65 Roses 5K Race/Walk
April
7 - Out Run the Police
13 - Run at the Mill 5K and 1/2 Marathon
14 - Battlefield Bash
21 - City of Chattanooga Spring Fest: Outdoor Expo and Gear Swap
Chickamauga Chase 15K and 5K
21-22 - Sequatchie Valley Fest
28/29 - Volunteer 80 Race to the Smokies
May
5 - 3State/3Mountain Challenge
19 - Scenic City Trail Marathon and ½ Marathon
Children’s Hospital Dragon Boat Festival
Chattanooga Tour de Cure
IHN 5K Run and Walk to End Homelessness
20 - Scenic City Triathlon
June
1-3 - Tn. Valley Canoe Club Paddle School
2 - National Trails Day
15-17 - Chattanooga Mountains Stage Race
July
8 - Chattanooga Waterfront Triathlon
October
5-13 - RiverRocks Chattanooga
6 - Swim the Suck
Rock/Creek Stump Jump
UTC Intra-Squad/Alumni Regatta
13 - Chattanooga Head Race
21 - 7 Bridges Marathon
November
3-4 - Head of the Hooch