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"

Our guest today is Gene Hyde, recently retired (after 30 years of service) City Forester for the City of Chattanooga.  Gene and I get into some detail about the scope of the job of the City Forester,  the challenges presented and of benefits of sustained professional management practices. Gene has attained a Masters of Science … Continue reading "Interview with Gene Hyde, Chattanooga Urban Forestry"

Genealogy Presentation for Podcast pageThe study of family history, or genealogy, is quickly becoming one of the most popular forms of recreation for many Americans.  With the advent of internet and computer assisted research and easily available DNA testing, more people are delving in.  Today with talk with Sara Klinges, President of the Northeastern PA … Continue reading "Getting Started with Genealogy with Sara Klinges, President , Northeastern PA Genealogical Society"

Rocky Fork State Park in Unicoi County is  one of Tennessee’s newest State Parks.  It is a virtually undeveloped slice of a beautiful Tennessee mountainside.  Highly desirable as a destination for hiking and fly fishing, this park has yet to develop any considerable infrastructure.  There is no public water supply at the park,  only portable … Continue reading "Interview With Park Manager Jesse Germeraad of Rocky Fork State Park ( Flag Pond, TN)"