Mark Fraley Podcast

The State of Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation is pushing ahead with the development of the latest SCORP  Plan.  This plan is done each 5 years and it serves as a  road map for progress,  setting  our priorities for  our parks and recreation programs and services. Our guest today, George Brogdon,  is  heading up the development of the … Continue reading "Interview With TRPA Fellow George Brogdon, The State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan"

Soon after the establishment of the Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund, Jerry Dillehay became the Administrator of the program in Tennessee.    Guiding the program for over twenty years, he made his contribution to hundreds of State and Local park projects throughout Tennessee.  He was also instrumental in the establishment of the Parks and … Continue reading "Interview with TRPA Fellow Jerry Dillehay"

One of the true jewels of Tennessee  are the historic cabins at Pickett State Park.  Constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930’s, they are on the National Register of Historic Places.  Recently the Parks Division has completed a major restoration/renovation of these buildings.  Bringing back their original luster as well as thoughtfully  and appropriately … Continue reading "Pickett State Park Historic Cabin Renovations with Park Manager Travis Stover"

The City of Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation Department is an award winning agency, striving to keep up with the rapid growth the area is experiencing.  Leadership recognized a need for locally sourced native plant materials for use in parks,  greenways, environmental education programs and in stream restoration projects. Accordingly  the Indigenous Plants Project was created.  Our guest, … Continue reading "Kristin Hopkins, Murfreesboro Indigenous Plants Project"

Today we welcome back our old friend Jeff Barrie, from the Tennessee Environmental Council. TEC has launched a new program to support pollinator species such as bees and butterflies by encouraging citizens to plant wildflower gardens.   Working in partnership with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and others, they have seed packages of native wildflowers and other resources … Continue reading "“Generating A Buzz” with Jeff Barrie of the Tennessee Environmental Council"

Our guest today, Larry Zehnder, has spent the last 40 years pursuing excellence as a Parks and Recreation leader.  Starting with his training at Clemson University and continuing with stints at Athens Tennessee, Charleston South Carolina and Norfolk Virginia, he has recently retired as Parks and Recreation Director for Chattanooga Tennessee.  Larry played an important … Continue reading "Interview With TRPA Fellow, Larry Zehnder"

Tennessee is blessed with rich traditions of music, crafts, food and lore that often have been passed from one generation to the next.  Charged with tending to that “folk culture” is our guest Dr Bradley Hanson,  the Tennessee State Folklorist.  This important  office is part of the Tennessee Arts Commission. They make grants to non profit … Continue reading "Dr Bradley Hanson, Tennessee Arts Commission Folklore Program"

Our guest today is Democratic candidate for Congress in the 2d District of Tennessee,  the energetic Renee Hoyos.  A seasoned and practical minded environmental activist, she speaks frankly with Mark about the need for a renewed commitment to  and reform of our  essential environmental statutes, particularly the Clean Water Act.  We also discuss affordable housing,  … Continue reading "Interview with Congressional Candidate Renee Hoyos"

The study of family history is a venture of learning about cultural identity.  A process of cobbling together documentary and other evidence about how people lived in the past, how they worked , made a living and related to the events of their times.  For Americans of African decent, genealogy  can be quite challenging due to … Continue reading "African American Family History, with Taneya Koonce"

The Warner Parks are a Nashville treasure and are now approaching their 100th birthday (2027).  The Friends of Warner Park have embarked upon a $15 million dollar Capital Campaign aimed at restoring the park to its full glory in time for the centennial celebration.  This means renovation of historic structures like the Allee and Entrance Gate … Continue reading "Warner Parks Capital Campaign, #InvasiveFreeWP, Interview with Jenny Hannon"