Mark Fraley Podcast

Today we interview Alex Wyss the Executive Director of the Tennessee State Parks Conservancy.  Alex comes to this position after many years of dedicated work with the Nature Conservancy.

We discuss the Conservancy’s  ongoing efforts to make Tennessee State Parks more accessible to underserved populations.

The Conservancy is presently involved in a major effort to assist in the  restoration of David Crockett Birthplace State Park.  This park was destroyed in the East Tennessee flooding of September 2024.  The have established  the “Go Ahead” Fund, adopting Davy Crocket’s famous motto ” Be always sure you are right, then go ahead!”  This effort is focused on the interpretive exhibits to be installed at the new park visitors center when  complete ( see images below).

Here is a link to their Go Ahead Fund:   https://tnstateparksconservancy.org/david-crockett-birthplace-state-park/ 

The post An Interview With Alex Wyss, Executive Director, The Tennessee State Parks Conservancy, David Crockett Birthplace Campaign, The “Go Ahead Fund”, Episode 122 appeared first on Mark Fraley Podcast.

The Cedar Glades, which occur in the rocky and hardscrabble areas around Lebanon Tennessee, are among Tennessee’s most special places.  They are home to many rare plants and plant communities adapted to these harsh  conditions and which occur nowhere else in the world. The Tennessee Coneflower (Echinacea tennesseensis) is a prominent example of the beauty that can be found there.

The Center for Cedar Glade Studies at Middle Tennessee State University  is working to increase our understanding and awareness of these special places.

Our guest today, Dr Kim Sadler is a scientist and educator.  We learn about the features of Cedar Glades and about their ongoing efforts to understand and protect them.

The post Interview With Dr Kim Sadler, MTSU, Center for Cedar Glade Studies (Episode 121) appeared first on Mark Fraley Podcast.

Our guest today, Mark Tummons, received the coveted Fellow Award from the Tennessee Recreation and Parks Association in 2005. He is also a Past President of TRPA and  a Lifetime Member.

Mark has  served the State of Tennessee in various roles over the years including Program Administrator for the Parks and Recreation Technical Advisory Service (PARTAS), as well as Director of the Recreation Services Division within the Department of Environment and Conservation.

Mark also served the City of Clarksville as Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation and later as Director of Parks and Recreation.  More recently he has now returned to Tennessee after serving as Director of Parks and Recreation for Leander Texas.

We talk with Mark today about his stellar career and get his thoughts about the importance of Parks and Recreation to the vitality of local communities.

The post Interview With TRPA Fellow Mark Tummons, (Episode 120) appeared first on Mark Fraley Podcast.

The post Threats to the Social Security System, Interview with Attorney William Benjamin ( Eposode 118) appeared first on Mark Fraley Podcast.

The post Celebrating 50 years of Parks and Recreation in Gatlinburg, Interview with Marty Nicely and Laurence Evans (Episode 119) appeared first on Mark Fraley Podcast.

It was April of 1975 when your host moved to Gatlinburg to start the Parks and  Recreation Program for the City of Gatlinburg.

Now 50 years later, this agency has become one of Tennessee’s best.  Consistently winning statewide recognition for exceptional facilities and innovative programs.  All the credit goes to my two guests, Marty Nicely (Director 1978-2020) and to Laurence Evans, the current Director.

We have a fun conversation, reminiscing about the origins of the agency and the elements which make it outstanding today.

The post Celebrating 50 years of Parks and Recreation in Gatlinburg, with Marty Nicely and Laurence Evans (Episode 119) appeared first on Mark Fraley Podcast.

In the first couple of months of the Trump administration, the so-called Department of Government Efficiency has made numerous baseless claims  about waste fraud and abuse in the Social Security program.  They have also proposed several thoughtless  changes to the way that the program is managed, as well as unwarranted  cuts to program  staff.

In todays program we will chat about the threats to the  Social Security program and attempt to debunk some of the falsehoods.  We will also offer some informed prospective  on the management of the Social Security program.

The post Threats to the Social Security Program, with Attorney William Benjamin, Episode 118 appeared first on Mark Fraley Podcast.

It really does matter what you have growing in your yard!  If you choose to grow native plants, trees and shrubs, you will be making a positive contribution to the ecology of our urban living space. Native plants make an attractive home for birds, pollinators and other wildlife.

Neighbors for Natives is a non profit in Nashville which has as its purpose making choosing natives an easier and less expensive choice.  Each year this organization conducts two plant sales through which they make curated  plants kits available to the public.

Our guest today is Co-Founder Bethany Crandell.  She gives us all the details about the group and about the sale that is going on right now.

The post Interview with Bethany Crandell, Co-Founder, Neighbors4Natives.org (Episode 117) appeared first on Mark Fraley Podcast.

Since the early 1950s, the State of Tennessee has had an interest in assisting Tennessee cities and counties in building strong communities through strong Parks and Recreation programs.   Recreation consultancy services by the State to local governments continue today, and our guest April Johnson is at the forefront of that effort.

April’s effort  has been recognized by her piers with the prestigious Fellow Award, presented by TRPA in 2021.

We talk with April today about her professional development and get her observations about  the importance of Park and Recreation for healthy Tennessee communities.

The post Interview with April Johnson, Assistant Director, Recreation Services, TN Dept Environment and Conservation (Episode 116) appeared first on Mark Fraley Podcast.

Our guest today is Michael Robertson the recent recipient of the TRPA Fellow Award.  This award  is given each year  in recognition of significant and sustained contributions to the field of Parks and Recreation.  Mike  has recently retired as head of Tennessee State Parks operations.

Tennessee State Parks are recognized as among the best in the nation.  In 2021 Tennessee State Parks were Finalists for the Gold Medal Award presented by the American Academy of Parks and Recreation Administration.

In this interview we review milestones in Mike’s career  and some highlights of his time as the leader of Tennessee Parks.

Musical credit: Ron Tramel

A free  transcript of his podcast is available on Apple Podcasts.

The post Interview With Michael Robertson, 2024 TRPA Fellow, Director of Field Operations, TN State Parks (retired) Episode 115 appeared first on Mark Fraley Podcast.