Department of Environment & Conservation
Robert Martineau, Commissioner

An Eastern Box Turtle devours a mushroom. Photo by Leah Lavoie.

By Veronica Greear, Whitney Bell and Tiffany Bell

This issue’s featured article is “Kids, Dogs, Technology and Turtles = a Recipe for Research.” It was written by Veronica Greear, Whitney Bell and Tiffany Bell who trace the work underway at University of Tennessee Forest Research Resources and Education Center in Oak Ridge where a team includes middle, high school and undergraduate students who are part of the Clinch River Environmental Studies Organization as they monitor the Eastern Box Turtle.

By Ward Weems

In the article “Tennessee State Parks Celebrates 75 Years,” Ward Weems, chief historian for Tennessee State Parks, traces the history of Tennessee State Parks from the parks’ beginnings as Depression era recovery programs gave a boost to the idea and possibility of creating parks. Today there are 53 Tennessee State Parks delivering “a rich fabric of natural landscapes, wild places, preserved ecologies, outdoor recreational opportunities, and protected historic scenes and resources.” Throughout the year there will be events in Tennessee State Parks highlighting this significant anniversary. To read more, visit the Tennessee State Parks Web site www.tnstateparks.com.

By Kathy Lauder

The 75 anniversary of The Tennessee Conservationist is also recognized in this issue of the magazine. In the story “The Tennessee Conservationist at 75,” Kathy Lauder, who works for the Tennessee State Library and Archives, takes a look at the milestones that have helped shape the magazine.

Also In This Issue

» E. Lucy Braun, A Pioneer Woman Ecologist in the Early 20th Century
» Saving a Nashville Treasure: The Hill Tract Old Growth Forest
» Red Cedar Trees: Nature, Lore and More

In The Next Issue

» Rain Gardens
» The Tennessee Academy of Science and the Origins of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
» Conserving the Small Family Farm

For more than seven decades, the award-winning Tennessee Conservationist has been dedicated to telling the stories of Tennessee’s natural, cultural and historical distinctiveness. In a cluttered media marketplace, this magazine continues to stand out by offering authentic Tennessee places, people and experiences through beautiful photography and engaging, informative articles. The magazine fulfills its purpose without receiving a state appropriation as it is totally funded through subscription revenue, non-commercial advertising for Tennessee State Parks and environmental programs plus gifts and donations from supporters. With continued strong support from our subscribers, we look forward to sharing more authentic Tennessee stories with you in the years to come.

Bob Martineau, Commissioner

Bill Haslam
Governor

Bob Martineau
TDEC Commissioner

Brock Hill

Parks and Conservation Deputy Commissioner

Shari Meghreblian
Environment and Conservation Deputy Commissioner