Mark Fraley Podcast

At the heart of visitor safety and security in our Tennessee State Parks are the 250 commissioned Park Rangers. Our guest today, Shane Petty, has been the Chief Park Ranger for Tennessee for the past 25 years.  He oversees the hiring and training of this talented group of people.  Shane shares with us his career … Continue reading "Interview With Shane Petty, Chief Ranger, Tennessee State Parks"

The Cumberland Trails Conference is an important not for profit organization dedicated to supporting the State of Tennessee in the development and completion of the Cumberland Trail State Park. Stretching from its beginning point near Chattanooga, the Cumberland Trail extends about 300 miles to the North and East along the edge of the Cumberland Plateau  … Continue reading "Interview With Mike Croley, Cumberland Trails Conference, Executive Director"

An energetic group of bird enthusiasts here in Nashville have begun a new organization  to be known as BirdSafe Nashville.  The group is all about reducing the many threats to bird safety imposed by our human activities. Their first project is called Lights Out Nashville.  As migratory birds fly at night, it has been demonstrated … Continue reading "Lights Out Nashville Project with Melinda Welton and Kim Bailey"

Our guest today, Jennifer Bauer, presently serves as Park Manager of Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park in Elizabethton Tennessee.  She has had a 40 year career in State Parks, being among the first women to become a commissioned Ranger.   She was a Ranger Naturalist at Roan Mountain State Park for many years before attaining her present … Continue reading "Interview with Jennifer Bauer, Naturalist and Historian of Roan Mountain Tennessee"

Todays interview is the latest in a series featuring award winning leaders in Parks and Recreation in Tennessee.  This time a focus on excellence in  local government and a conversation with Austin Fesmire, the highly regarded Director of Parks and Recreation in Athens, Tennessee. The City of Athens has  established and maintains  a multifaceted local Parks … Continue reading "Interview with TRPA Fellow Austin Fesmire, City of Athens, Tennessee"

The backbone of the Conservation movement in Tennessee is the array of citizens groups who are about the business of environmental stewardship.  One such group is the Tennessee Native Plant Society.   Formed in 1978,  this volunteer organization works to promote the understanding of native flora and the key role it plays in our ecological systems. TNPS … Continue reading "Interview With Bart Jones, Tennessee Native Plant Society"

Since its formation in 1952, the Tennessee Recreation and Parks Association has had a history  of strong leadership.  Our guest today, Dave Anderson, continues that tradition as the newly installed President of the organization.  We talk with Dave about  his career path, including   his experience with both the Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg Parks and Recreation departments.  We also talk … Continue reading "Interview With TRPA President Dave Anderson, Director Tullahoma Parks and Recreation"

Today we chat with Deryck Fay about his new book, “Connecting A Nation, The Story of Telecommunications In Ireland”. Many American citizens are proud of their Irish connections. Ireland has figured prominently in the history of world telecom, with the first transatlantic cables emanating from Valencia Island in County Kerry. And, Telecom in Ireland has … Continue reading "Interview With Author Deryck Fay, Connecting a Nation, The Story of Telecommunications In Ireland"

Our guest today, Kitty Frazier, has truly been a pioneer in the field of Parks and Recreation Administration here in Tennessee.  Kitty served as the first Parks and Recreation Director for historic Jonesborough before moving to her current post in Kingsport. She was the first women to hold a municipal directors position in Tennessee. Kitty … Continue reading "Interview With Kitty Frazier, TRPA Fellow, Parks and Recreation Director, Kingsport"

The Friends of Warner Parks have recently published a wonderful new book all about the history of Nashville’s spectacular Warner Parks. Our guest today is Lynne Bachleda, the author and editor of the new book.  Lynne, together with more then a dozen contributing writers, take us on a timeline from the parks development up to … Continue reading "The History of The Warner Parks, Interview with Lynne Bachleda"