Mark Fraley Podcast

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)"

The Tennessee Conservationist Magazine has been in continuous publication since 1937.  It has always been known for fine photography and exceptional  coverage of the people, places, events and other stories relative to the many facets of Conservation in Tennessee.  My guest, Heather Lose, brings a diverse background of experience in  media, graphic arts and publication … Continue reading "Interview with Heather Lose, Editor in Chief, The Tennessee Conservationist Magazine"

The Tennessee Recreation and Parks Association (TRPA)  is the professional society for persons working in the field of Parks and Recreation.  Bob Benson is the current President, serving through the November 2020 annual conference.  Mark and Bob discuss the growth of the TRPA membership and plans for the upcoming year of professional development.

Attracting and observing wildlife has become one of Americas leading outdoor recreation activities.  Each year untold millions are invested in bird seed, bird houses and other paraphernalia to  indulge our fascination with wild birds.  Along with the hummingbird, the Eastern Bluebird has become a popular object of this activity.  Today we learn a little bit … Continue reading "Eastern Bluebirds and the Warner Park Eastern Bluebird Nest Project with Laura Cook and Diana McLusky"

In the Spring of 2019 Cedars of Lebanon State Park opened a new element of that park, The Sadie Ford Heritage Farm.  The State has acquired a 70 acre parcel together with a Craftsman Style Bungalow homestead and several outbuildings directly across the highway from the traditional entrance to the Cedars Park. This was done … Continue reading "Sadie Ford Heritage Farm, with Ranger Sarah Geeslin"

Our guest today, Gerald Parish, has had an exemplary career as a Parks and Recreation leader here in Tennessee.  Beginning his career in local government, he gained experience and insight which has served him well in his current duties in state government.  Gerald and his staff are the key link for cities and counties as … Continue reading "Interview with Gerald F. Parish, Director of Recreation Educational Services, State of Tennessee"

Burnet Woods is a 90 acre city park located in urban Cincinnati Ohio.  This 90 acre park, established in the 1870’s,  contains one of the few examples of “Old Growth Forest” within any urbanized area in America today.  Our guest today, Cynthia Duval, is the President of the Preserve Burnet Woods organization. This group was initially … Continue reading "Preserving Burnet Woods, Interview With Cynthia Duval"

There is  a wide array of native grasses and grass like plants  available to the home gardener.  These can add biological  diversity and visual interest to the home landscape.  Today we talk with Mike Berkely from Growild  Nursery in Fairview, Tennessee.  Mike is one of our regions preeminent authorities on the use of Native Plants in  landscapes.  … Continue reading "Native Grasses For Your Garden, with Mike Berkley"