Citizen led and non-profit organizations are finding ways to get
rooted in conservation best practices to protect and preserve the
Tennessee River Valley watershed.
NORRIS,
Tenn., Sept. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ --
Autumn in the Tennessee River Valley is known for its resplendent
foliage and scenic vistas. Each fall, visitors flock to scenic
byways and backgrounds to experience the colorful beauty of the
season. What is difficult to imagine is a time that this valley was
stripped of trees, leaving almost a desert landscape of barren
subsoil and deep culverts carved by run-off.
Beginning with the first migration of pioneer settlers in the
late 1700's through the 1930's, the overuse of the land and clear
cutting of trees in the Tennessee River Valley led to cycles of
flooding and human suffering. The mountain hillsides stripped of
their trees were also eroded of tillable top soil necessary to grow
food for families and protect the waterways from run-off and
sediment.
The Great Depression was transformative for the region.
Recognizing the negative impact of clear-cutting acres of land,
especially on steep hillsides, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Congress mobilized
a workforce to replant millions of trees across the nation.
The newly formed Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) led efforts in
the Tennessee River Valley to not only plant trees, but to
establish native tree stands. This work has continued into this new
century to help protect the 11,000 miles of shoreline and 293,000
acres of public lands entrusted to TVA through the work of the
agency and volunteer efforts.
During the months of September and October, TVA supports the
efforts of multiple grassroot organizations involved with
stewardships projects along the waterways. While many of those
projects involve litter pick-ups, TVA has invested funds in
grassroot organizations to educate land owners and businesses on
best practices for living and working in the watershed. Trees are
rooted in conservation practices. Trees not only offer shade to the
property landscape, trees also serve to stabilize shorelines,
reduce run-off including water pollutants, shade water to increase
dissolved oxygen of streams and creek beds, and store excess
carbon.
Educating the waterfront homeowners, boaters, and businesses
about the importance of preserving riparian buffers including
placing a value on mature trees; promulgating rules for decreasing
wake near fragile shorelines; and following the lead of other
states that have put in place shoreline management acts or similar
programs in place are all ways grassroot organizations help steward
the fragile ecosystem of the larger watershed. The Norris Lake
Project is just one of the many grassroot volunteer organizations
involved stewardship education. Norris Lake Project Co-board Chair
Julie Graham spoke about the ongoing
educational movement within their group's mission. "When we began
our work, the most frequent concern cited by lake users was the
trash along the shorelines. Today, the most frequent complaint is
about the damage created by artificial wake, and how that wake is
eroding shorelines. Tree roots provide a barrier to erosion, making
tree planting a simple conservation practice that landowners can
implement to protect their shorelines," said Graham.
Empowered citizens are a frontline defense and already rooted in
their respective communities. During this
weekend of Public Lands Day and Plant a Tree Day, through October's
National Make a Difference Day, there are opportunities across the
Tennessee River Valley to get involved with local events on public
land and waterways.
The TRV Stewardship Council supports the efforts of all the
agencies that are protecting and restoring public lands. The
Tennessee River Valley Stewardship Council, a 501 c3 nonprofit,
serves as the steering committee and editorial board for the
Geotourism MapGuide website. It is comprised of volunteers from a
seven-state region. The Council's efforts are made possible through
the generous support of the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA).
Media Contact
Julie Graham, TRV Stewardship
Council, 8655850811, exploretrv@gmail.com,
https://www.trvstewardshipcouncil.org/
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SOURCE TRV Stewardship Council