Odd robotic forms were among the every-worldly items pulled by volunteers from the Tennessee River and its tributaries earlier this month.  Courtesy Ijam’s Nature Center.

Betty Boop recovered from drink during widespread river cleanup

KNOXVILLE – Rain didn’t stop 441 volunteers from cleaning up the community’s waterways during the 35^th annual Ijams River Rescue on March 9.

They tackled trash at 31 sites in Knox and Blount counties, filling 1,097 bags with garbage weighing an estimated 21,958 pounds (10.48 tons). That doesn’t include the weight of 46 tires and large items such as household appliances, furniture and car parts.

Plastic and Styrofoam waste was common in all areas, but Ijams River Rescue volunteers found items such as a robot puppy, drug paraphernalia, an antique lounge chair, a full patio set, suitcase, Betty Boop doll and shoes, sofas, stove parts, traffic barrels, a car seat, sports gear, a “nice watch” and a $10 bill.

Fees will support increased ranger presence, improved visitor experience and more

This article was provided by Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

GATLINBURG — In the first year since Great Smoky Mountains National Park launched the Park it Forward program, the park generated over $10 million in recreation fee revenue, which includes parking tag sales and camping fees. The park is using this money to improve visitor safety and increase park ranger presence, as well as repair, enhance and maintain public park facilities. The park’s second year of the parking tag program began this month.  

“Our team at Great Smoky Mountains National Park is grateful for the support of our partners, our neighbors and the millions of visitors who are helping us take care of one of the country’s most visited national parks,” said Superintendent Cassius Cash. “We’re already using this funding to increase our search and rescue program, add parking spaces at Laurel Falls trailhead and we are in the process of hiring more than 25 new park rangers." 

WAVERLY — The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency will preview its recommendations for the 2024-25 hunting and trapping seasons at the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission’s March 21-22 meeting at Buffalo Ridge Refuge in Humphreys County.

Thursday committee meetings begin at 1 p.m. while full commission session starts at 9 a.m. Friday.

Wildlife and Forestry Assistant Chief Wally Akins will share proposed changes to wildlife management areas and the furbearer season. Wildlife and Forestry Assistant Chief Mark McBride will follow with proposals for the “Take of Raptors for Falconry and Migratory Game Bird Seasons.” His presentation will conclude with big game harvest summaries and proposed season changes, including recommendations for the new deer and turkey management units and season dates.

The 2024-25 season setting comment period ended on January 15^th. TWRA advises you to check its public comments page after the March commission meeting for a link to provide comments on the season recommendations presented at the meeting. The commission will vote on the proposed regulations at its April 18-19 meeting in Johnson City.

Update: You now have until April 12 to review and comment on the proposals.

Coal industry acknowledged its contribution to climate change in 1966

KNOXVILLE — It began innocently enough.

A little over four years ago, an old trade journal was rescued en route to a dumpster by a professor from the University of Tennessee’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

Professor Chris Cherry had no reason to suspect the journal contained a powerhouse revelation — the coal industry had been aware since 1966 that burning fossil fuels would eventually trigger cataclysmic global warming and had subsequently engaged in a decades-long coverup to protect corporate profits.

Cherry’s surprise discovery soon became international news thanks to a story written by a fellow UT employee, Élan Young, that was picked up by Huffpost. (Young is a regular contributor to Hellbender Press).

New director comes from Nashville; decarbonization of city a central duty

Paige Travis is a public information specialist for the city of Knoxville.

KNOXVILLE — Mayor Indya Kincannon appointed Metro Nashville Decarbonization Manager Vasu Primlani as Knoxville’s next director of sustainability.

Primlani has more than three decades of experience in sustainability and has received awards for environmental innovation, including the EPA’s Environmental Achievement Award.

“Vasu has an incredible track record in this field,” Kincannon said. “Her experience and creative thinking will help Knoxville meet our goal of an 80 percent reduction in greenhouse gases by 2050.  

“I am also impressed with her focus on equity. We must adapt to climate change in a way that is just, equitable, and helps everyday people and small business owners save money too.”