posted January 15, 2008
Winter is the best hiking season in Chattanooga and this week we feature two fun hikes. And registration deadlines are looming for some of our spring events. Look for the lightning bolt ~to see something new this week.
Outdoor Chattanooga’s Outdoor Expo – Sign Up Now!!!!
Outdoor Chattanooga will host our second annual Outdoor Expo and Gear Swap on Saturday, March 29, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in Coolidge Park. Clubs, camps, outfitters, conservation organizations: sign up now to get your exhibition spot. 10’X10’ spaces are $25 and all proceeds will benefit the activities of Outdoor Chattanooga’s OutVenture program. Call or email Tiffany Ellison to reserve your spot. (423) 842-6629.
Sublime in Art and Nature: Neighborhood Urban Hike Jan. 19
This Saturday, Jan. 19 at 1:00 p.m., join Outdoor Chattanooga and the Hunter Museum of American Art for this brisk 4-mile urban hike around the unique neighborhoods of downtown Chattanooga. The hike will start and finish at the Hunter Museum, where participants will get a free pass to view the ChanSchatz exhibit. The artist team used survey responses from members of the Chattanooga community to create the collaborative art seen in the show. Call or email Adera Causey at (423) 752-2053 to make your reservation.
~Early Registration Deadline Feb. 1 for Dragon Boats
The Outdoor Chattanooga River Ratz will be defending their championship title at the 2nd annual Chattanooga Dragon Boat Races on Saturday, April 19, 2008. Teams gunning for the Ratz can save $100 on the registration fee by signing up by February 1. Enter if you dare! Visit the Dragon Boats Website to learn more.
Events
~Cherokee-Crane Days at the Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge Jan. 19 & 20
Visit the Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge in Birchwood, TN for the 16th annual Cherokee-Crane Days Festival. The festival will feature Cherokee history and activities, and family-focused wildlife education at the Birchwood School and the adjacent Cherokee Removal Memorial. Birchwood School will also serve as a base to shuttle visitors to see the starts of the show: 20,000 migrating Sandhill and Whooping Cranes, Bald Eagles, Snow Geese, and dozens of other water fowl.
~Free Film Preview: “Planet in Peril” Jan. 24 and 31
The Chattanooga Nature Center (CNC) invites the public to a free two-part showing of “Planet in Peril” at the John A. Patten Recreation Center on Thursdays Jan. 24 and 31 at 6:30 p.m. Filmed in 13 countries, the documentary reveals places where environmental change is not a theory or a future forecast, but a crisis happening in real time. The film is hosted by CNN anchor Anderson Cooper, CNN's chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta, and Animal Planet host and wildlife biologist Jeff Corwin. For more information about the free viewing of “Planet in Peril,” call (423) 821-1160 ext. 102.
~Greenway Cyclocross Race Jan. 26
Get out the knobby tires and join Scenic City Velo at Greenway Farm in Hixson for Race #2 of the Chattanooga Cyclocross Race Series on Saturday, Jan. 26, beginning at 11:00 a.m. Racing categories are open to competitors ages 12 and under all the way up to 45+. Email Scott Kennedy to learn more.
News
Tell Us a Story
Did you move to Chattanooga because of the outdoors? Are you a hunter, hiker, cyclist, or fly fisherwoman? Tell us your story. We’d like to know.
~Shining Star Awards
The Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Health has established the Shining Star Awards, which recognize the efforts of and contribution to the promotion of healthy lifestyles by an individual or group of Tennesseeans in the following areas: Where we Live (communities), Work (employers), and Learn (educational settings). Award nominations are being accepted now, through Feb. 1, 2008. Up to three awards will be given in each category.
~TN Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) Grants
Recreation Educational Services Division (RES) of TDEC is pleased to announce the new 2008 Grant Application process is open. Applications are available for Local Park and Recreation Fund (LPRF) funds, the Recreational Trails Program (RTP) and Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) funds. These are matching grant programs and the LPRF and LWCF fund is a 50/50% match and the RTP is a 80%/20% match. Application Deadline is 4:00 p.m. CST, Mar. 7, 2008.
~Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Awards
The Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Awards are the most prestigious environmental and conservation awards in the state of Tennessee. For over 20 years, the awards have been presented to individuals and organizations that make great contributions to the conservation of our wildlife and related natural resources, the natural elements upon which all life depends. Application deadline is Mar. 31, 2008.
Adventures
~Cumberland Trail Day Hike Jan. 26
Join the Chattanooga Hiking Club for a 5.6 mile hike on the Cumberland Trail along Little Possum Creek, near Bakewell, TN. The hike will involve 200 to 300 feet of elevation gain, spectacular views of the Creek, and a little bit of bushwacking. Good hiking boots are a must. Contact hike leader Caroline Woerner to learn more.
~Adventure Guild Climbing Sampler February 2 (NEW DATE!)
>From 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., join the Adventure Guild for a day-long introduction to the sport of climbing. Cost is $100 per person and includes equipment and instruction. There are only 10 spots available for the event and pre-registration and payment are required. Call or email Kim Stock at (423) 266-5709 for more information.
Classes and Clinics
~Mountain Bike Clinic Jan. 19
On Saturday, Jan 19, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., join the TrailBlazers Adventure Racing Club for a mountain bike clinic at Tims Ford State Park near Winchester, TN, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. CST. Scheduled events include a short presentation on environmental education and rehab efforts in the park, beginner rides led by experienced mountain bikers, intermediate and advanced rides on the park's new 14 mile mountain bike trail, bike games, and prize drawings. For more information, email Karin Richard-Jacobi.
Volunteer Opportunities
~Raccoon Mountain Trail/Ride Day Jan. 26
On Saturday, Jan. 26, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., SORBA-Chattanooga needs volunteers who are willing to spend a couple of hours helping them expand the trail system on Raccoon Mountain near Laurel Point. Just bring some personal work gloves and something to drink. SORBA will provide lunch. Bring your mountain bike and go for a ride after lunch. Contact Alan Johns for more information.
BMTA Work Trip Jan. 26
The Benton MacKaye Trail Association will a host trail work day on Saturday, Jan. 26. Trail builders will refresh side-hilling on a section in Georgia. For more information, contact Bill Lundin.
~Sarah's List
Sarah Quattrochi is the volunteer coordinator for three of our local conservation organizations, the Lookout Mountain Land Trust, Tennessee River Gorge Trust, and Reflection Riding Arboretum and Botanical Gardens. Below is Sarah's newest listing of volunteer opportunities. Call or email Sarah at
(423) 653-0091 to volunteer or get more information. sarahq@cnpchatt.org
Lookout Mountain Land Trust
Work Day Jan. 22
Join LMLT for a work day at John P. Wilson Park on Tuesday, Jan. 22 from 4:30-6:00 p.m. Help is needed with planting, watering, and generally sprucing up the park. The park is located on Cummings Highway about 1/8 of a mile on the left from the bottom of Lookout Mountain. Supervisory volunteers are also needed for LMLT trail maintenance.
Reflection Riding Arboretum and Botanical Gardens
Newsletter mailing help needed: Wednesday, Jan. 23, from 1:30-4:00 p.m., general office support, weekly and bi-weekly weeding of the gardens and help with trail maintenance are all needed.
Tennessee River Gorge Trust
Needed are volunteers to conduct weekly or bi-weekly grounds maintenance at the Pot Point Cabin and trail maintenance on the Pot Point Loop Trail, as well as helping with maintenance on the section of the Cumberland Trail that TRGT adopted in 1996. Spring work days are planned for all trail maintenance projects.
Weekly Water Saver Tip
When washing your dishes by hand, brushing your teeth, or scrubbing your face, don’t let the water run. You could save dozens of gallons a week. If you have any water saving tips, please email Ruthie at Outdoor Chattanooga.
Website of the Week
You thought WE were crazy? Australians James Castrission and Justin Jones became the first people to cross the Tasman Sea by kayak when they set foot on the shores of New Zealand after 62 days on the ocean. Read about the trip and see video here.
Last Week’s Site(s):The first step to water conservation is knowing how much you use. Use these water use calculators from the City of Tampa, FLA or the U.S. Geological Survey to learn your daily water consumption. Learn more about our water supplies at these Websites in Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama.
Coming Up . . .
February
12 Beginning Digital Photography Concepts
26 ~Leave No Trace Seminar
March
1 Scenic City Half Marathon
8 Tellico River Cleanup (Tent.)
18 Photography Workshop: Introduction to Lightroom
29 Outdoor Chattanooga’s Outdoor Expo
Rock Creek River Gorge Trail Race
April
19 Chattanooga Dragon Boat Races
Chickamauga Chase Road Race
25-27 Picture Chattanooga Workshop
27 Scenic City Triathlon
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