July 27, 2020  |   This year the Bicycle Ride Across Tennessee (BRAT) will be going virtual! For the health and safety of the riders, rangers, and staff, the BRAT staff has decided to transition the 2020 BRAT into a virtual event. The purpose of the Virtual BRAT is to encourage cyclists to keep riding as a group through shared goals, an online community, and even shared routes across the state of Tennessee!

September 16, 2021  |   Many of us associate Tennessee State Parks and Natural Areas with places to enjoy wildflowers. Indeed, these lands often protect unique and imperiled plant species and are excellent places to admire and photograph them.

January 27, 2021  |   If you are a first-time runner or are looking for a simple and smooth marathon to run in, you should stop reading this, as the Savage Gulf Marathon is definitely not for you. Supporting this claim is the fact that many runners call this “the toughest trail marathon in the country” while spectators shout “You Survived the Savage Gulf Marathon!” as you cross the finish line. You need experience before running this course, as individuals must have already done a marathon or longer race before qualifying. Completing the 26.2-mile trek takes much longer to finish compared to normal races, as runners get to the finish line anywhere between 4.5 to 8 hours. During the course of the run, the elevation gain that you will experience is roughly 4,000 feet. Ever since the race began, many experienced and confident runners have failed to finish. So if you are looking to put your mind and body to the test while accomplishing a noteworthy goal in 2021, then the Savage Gulf Marathon is a perfect fit for you. 

August 25, 2020  | 

August 25, 2020  |   As you've heard, we won't be gathering together in person for this year's BRAT. Instead, the BRAT is coming to you virtually. The purpose of the Virtual BRAT is to encourage our cyclists to keep riding as a group through shared goals, an online community, and even shared routes! This means:

July 7, 2020  |   As temperatures began to rise in Tennessee, Virtual Jr. Ranger Camp dove into Water Week! Water has played an especially important role here in Tennessee. From major rivers to man-made lakes, water has served as the lifeline of farming, transportation, and recreation throughout our state. We'll be taking a look at a few of these things, as well as water's natural processes, throughout this week's blog post. You can also follow along at the Tennessee State Parks Conservancy Facebook page.

July 1, 2020  |   This week Virtual Jr. Ranger Camp headed to outer space. While space may seem far away from us here on Earth, there’s a lot to learn about our place in the solar system. From constellations to light pollution, week four of Virtual Jr. Ranger Camp was full of knowledge to help Jr. Rangers understand the relationship between humans and the celestial world.

July 22, 2020  |   Week seven of Virtual Jr. Ranger camp explored the many different geological features that make Tennessee unique. From limestone to agate, Tennessee's geology is worth learning about. This week's blog post will explore the minerals and rocks that make up our distinctive landscape.

July 14, 2020  |   From the Tulip Poplar to the Iris, Tennessee has many incredible native plant species. This week Virtual Jr. Ranger Camp explored these and many more as the week's theme revolved around plants. We'll be looking at the beautiful things that help produce oxygen to breathe and food to eat during this week's blog post. We'll also be spending some time looking at agriculture, using plants in our everyday lives, and even learning how to identify invasive species! You can follow along with Virtual Jr. Ranger Camp at the Tennessee State Parks Conservancy Facebook page.

June 16, 2020  |   This week, Virtual Junior Ranger Camp explored all things Tennessee History. From the ancient Woodland Period and Mississippian Mound Builders; to European exploration and settlement; to the fight for equal voting rights, and United States Presidents and Nobel Prize winners- Tennessee has been on the frontline of history-making moments. This week’s blog post is the perfect place to brush up on your Tennessee History, and maybe learn some new facts along the way! You can also follow along with Virtual Junior Ranger Camp this summer on the TSP Conservancy's Facebook page. 

June 24, 2020  |   In celebration of National Pollinator Week, week three of Virtual Junior Ranger Camp allowed Junior Rangers to learn about the essential creatures who help to maintain and enhance our ecosystems through pollination. Without pollinators, we wouldn't be able to enjoy many of the crops we consume daily for food, and our Tennessee State Parks might look a lot different. Pollinators are worthy of a week of celebration, and Junior Rangers had a blast exploring the ins and outs of the pollination process and the essential role pollinators play in our lives. You can also follow Virtual Junior Ranger Camp this summer on the TSP Conservancy's Facebook page. 

August 26, 2021  |   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, August 26, 2021 CONTACT: Kim Schofinski (615) 571-3165