Mark Fraley Podcast

Our guest today is Laura Poland,  who,  together with her husband Gene and their family,   are the operators of Goodwater Vineyard near Newport Tenneesse. Grape growing and wine-making  is challenging no matter if you are doing it in France or California.  However,  Tennessee has it’s own special environmental  and bureaucratic challenges.    Goodwater  is exemplary … Continue reading "Goodwater Vineyards, Artful Agriculture: Interview with Laura Poland"

Our Tennessee State Parks are often recognized as among the finest of all the 50 states. The parks are special places just as beauty spots, or course, and with such a variety of recreation opportunities.  But what sets Tennessee apart from the others are the unique programs that add to the visitor experience.  From campfire … Continue reading "Tennessee State Parks Interpretive and Educational Programs, with Director Josh Waggener"

One of the features of Bicentennial Mall State Park in Nashville is the Tennessee Timeline.  A  wall which runs the length of the Southwest side of the park, denotes key events of Tennessee history, from prehistoric times up until 1996, when the park was constructed.  An event to be held October 18 and 19, 2019 … Continue reading "Tennessee Timeline: DeSoto to Desert Storm, Interview with Ranger Jessica Gossett"

In this interview Mark sits down with David Britton, one of the dynamic young Park Managers in our Tennessee State Park System.  We discuss the historic and prehistoric attributes of Port Royal  and Dunbar Cave State Parks, near Clarksville.  Listen and learn  little bit about the Trail of Tears the Tobacco Wars and what Roy Acuff and … Continue reading "Dunbar Cave and Port Royal, with Park Manager David Britton"

For recreational paddlers interested in fellowship while  pursuing their avocation and in conservation activities related to our beautiful waterways, TSRA in the place.  In this program Mark interviews TSRA president Gary Weatherford.  We learn a little bit about the history of the Scenic Rivers Act, and a lot about the various programs and activities of that … Continue reading "Interview with Tennessee Scenic Rivers President Gary Weatherford"

The professional people who manage our State and Local Parks and Recreation facilities and programs have gathered together  in one organization called the Tennessee Recreation and Parks Association.  This organization, founded in 1952, continues today to play a leadership role in  advocacy for the Parks and Recreation movement.  Candi and Mark discuss the elements of this … Continue reading "Interview With TRPA Executive Director, Candi Rawlins"

Serving as Parks and Recreation Director for this important  small city in East Tennessee for approaching 40 years, Bob Parker has left his mark on the Parks and Recreation scene in Tennessee. Bob was instrumental in the passage of Local Parks and Recreation fund in the early 1990’s.  He continues his work in Sevierville with … Continue reading "Interview With TRPA Fellow Bob Parker, City of Sevierville Parks and Recreation"

We welcome back to the Mark Fraley Podcast Mike Butler, Chief Executive Officer of the Tennessee Wildlife Federation.  In this program Mike  and I discuss the  daunting problem Tennessee fishery managers are having with invasive Asian Carp. These fish were accidentally released into the waterways back in the 1970’s . They are spreading throughout the Mississippi … Continue reading "Mike Butler Talks Invasive Carp in Tennessee Waterways"

Over the past 12 years our guest today, Dr Robert Loeb,  has been conducting research at Nashville’s Radnor Lake State Park (State Natural Area).  His ongoing research and observations have provided park management with science based answers to resource management questions.  Assuring that best practices are used in park management.  The Park has seen a … Continue reading "Forest Research at Radnor Lake State Park, Interview with Robert Loeb, PhD"

Over the past 40 years there has been a true revolution in the quality of Parks and Recreation Services available from local governments here in Tennessee. There are numerous people who have made significant contributions to that effort, however, Charlie Ellenburg has truly been at the forefront.  Today we interview Charlie about his career in … Continue reading "Interview With TRPA Fellow, Charlie Ellenburg"