Volunteers Can Help TVA Improve Public Lands

The Tennessee Valley Authority and volunteers will be improving the recreational experience in seven TVA-managed locations to commemorate National Public Lands Day on Saturday, Sept. 29. From the Muscle Shoals Reservation to the South Holston Weir Dams, efforts will focus on enhancing trails in popular outdoor locations. TVA’s efforts are part of the larger National Public Lands Day, which is the nation’s largest single-day volunteer event for public lands.

TVA is hosting or co-hosting seven events this year, six on Sept. 29 and one on Oct. 6:

Watts Bar Dam Reservation, Meigs County, Tenn.

Volunteer Trail Maintenance

Saturday, September 29, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Join TVA and the Watts Bar Lake Association in removing vegetation completely covering the half mile concrete walkway at the Forest City Trailhead. Volunteers should wear appropriate work clothing. The trailhead is located on the northeast side of the Watts Bar Dam Reservation. For more information, contact Scott Ledford, (865) 632-1326, wsledford@tva.gov.

Muscle Shoals Reservation, Muscle Shoals, Ala.

Fall Migration Bird Walk & Volunteer Native Garden/Trail Maintenance

Saturday, September 29, Bird Walk - 6:30 a.m., Garden/Trail Maintenance - 8 a.m.

TVA will lead a fall migration bird walk on the Muscle Shoals Reservation, followed by volunteers enhancing a native plant garden and reservation trails. The bird walk will meet at the back of the parking lot of Complex F (past IFDC facility). To volunteer for garden or trail enhancement, meet at the native plant garden, located behind the restrooms at the Nature Trail parking lot. Some hand tools and work gloves will be provided. For more information, contact Damien Simbeck, (256) 386-2543, djsimbeck@tva.gov.

Worthington Cemetery, Anderson County, Tenn.

Volunteer Trail and Native Area Maintenance

Saturday, September 29, 9 a.m.-noon

TVA and Tennessee Citizens for Wilderness Planning (TCWP) will host an interpretive walk to discuss the ecology of sensitive cedar barrens and wetlands sites, including plants like prairie rosinweed and big bluestem. Following the walk, volunteers will assist in restoring the native cedar barren and removing exotic invasive plants and trash. Volunteers are invited to stay for a complementary pizza lunch provided by TCWP. Attendees should meet at Elza Gate Park picnic area near the intersection of Oak Ridge Turnpike and Melton Lake Drive. Volunteers should wear appropriate work clothing. For more information, contact Wes James, (865) 632-1312, wkjames@tva.gov.

Guntersville Dam Reservation, Marshall County, Ala.

Volunteer Trail Maintenance

Saturday, September 29, 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

TVA and volunteers will enhance the Cave Mountain Trail through clean up, invasive species removal, resloping areas, and installing a trail kiosk. Volunteers should meet at the parking lot for the Cave Mountain trailhead. Take Highway 69 toward Arab, and then turn right at the top of Georgia Mountain on 240/Union Grove Road. Go approximately 2 miles and turn right on County Road 50. Approximately 2.5 miles down the mountain is the parking lot on the left. Volunteers should wear appropriate work clothing. For more information, contact Joshua Burnette, (256) 571-4295, jaburnette2@tva.gov.

Norris Dam Reservation, Anderson County, Tenn.

Volunteer Trail Maintenance

Saturday, September 29, 9 a.m.-noon.

Join TVA and Boy Scout Troop 506 in removing exotic invasive vegetation along the Songbird Trail. Volunteers should wear appropriate work clothing. Volunteers will meet at the Clear Creek parking lot near the Norris weir dam fishing access area off Norris Freeway. For more information, contact Tim Pruitt, (865) 632-1324, tdpruitt@tva.gov.

Tellico Dam Reservation, Loudon County, Tenn.

Volunteer Trail Maintenance

Saturday, September 29, 8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

Join TVA and the Watershed Association of the Tellico Reservoir (WATeR) in performing trail maintenance and improvements along the East Lake Shore Trail located on Tellico Dam Reservation. Volunteers should wear appropriate work clothing and are encouraged to bring work gloves, shovels, and wheelbarrows if possible. Volunteers will meet near the Morganton Boat Ramp on Tellico Reservoir off on East Tellico Parkway. For more information, contact Darrell Cuthbertson, 865-632-1315, dacuthbertson@tva.gov.

South Holston Weir Dam, Sullivan County, Tenn.

Volunteer Trail Maintenance

Saturday, October 6, 9 a.m.-noon
Please note date

Join TVA and Trout Unlimited in removing vegetation from the fisherman’s access trail that runs from the South Holston Weir Dam to the Bouton tract. Please meet at the weir dam. Volunteers should wear appropriate work clothing and bring work gloves, pruning tools and insect repellant. For more information, contact Randy Short, (423) 467-3806, rashort@tva.gov.