TVA Showcases Recreational Diversity on National Public Lands Day

September 13, 2011

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - The Tennessee Valley Authority is commemorating National Public Lands Day on Saturday, Sept. 24, by showcasing the diverse recreation opportunities public lands and water access foster across the Tennessee Valley region.

TVA is hosting a series of demonstration clinics and group activities to highlight hiking, bird watching, biking, kayaking, and fly fishing opportunities, as well as offering volunteer work sessions to give people the opportunity to participate in shared stewardship of public lands.

“National Public Lands Day was developed in part to increase awareness of the value of public spaces, while also promoting the need to care for these treasures so that today’s recreational opportunities are available for future generations,” said Anda Ray, TVA senior vice president of Environment & Technology. “Public outreach is one of the focal areas in TVA’s recently adopted Natural Resource Plan. These events will encourage people to play on, learn about and improve the condition of a portion of the 11,000 miles of public shoreline and 293,000 acres of public land that TVA manages.”

One participant from the events across the Tennessee Valley will win a canoe and one participant a $200 gift certificate. At each event site, attendees can win a $25 gift certificate. Each attendee will receive a T-shirt and TVA will provide snacks and water at each location. Participants are encouraged to bring insect repellent and sun protection, and wear appropriate attire, shoes and work gloves for each site’s activities.

Media Contact

Travis Brickey, Knoxville, (865) 632-6263
TVA Media Relations, Knoxville, (865) 632-6000

www.tva.com/news

 

TVA is hosting the following events and volunteer activities:

 

Kayaking Clinic, Hiking, Biking and Bird Watching Activities
Raccoon Mountain, Chattanooga, Tenn.
Saturday, Sept. 24, 9 a.m. -1 p.m. EDT
A kayak clinic will take place at the Nickajack Reservoir boat ramp, with other group activities meeting at the Laurel Point Picnic Area, past the TVA Raccoon Mountain Visitors Center on the TVA road off Highway 41.
For more information, contact Laura Duncan, (423) 751-4425, lmduncan@tva.gov

 

Volunteer Trail Maintenance
Muscle Shoals Dam Reservation, Muscle Shoals, Ala.
Saturday, Sept. 24, 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. CDT
Volunteers should meet at the Nature Trails parking lot on Reservation Road to help maintain trails on the Muscle Shoals and Wilson Dam reservations.
For more information, contact RJ Moore, (256) 386-3440, rjmoore@tva.gov

Fly Tying and Casting Clinic and Volunteer Cleanup
Norris Dam Tailwater, Norris, Tenn.
Saturday, Sept. 24, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. EDT
Attendees will take part in a fly tying and casting clinic at the Norris Dam Reservation tailwater area and are encouraged to help clean up around the site. Meet at the Miller Island Access Site on River Road off Highway 441.
For more information, contact Dave Harrell, (865) 632-1327, dbharrell@tva.gov

Shoreline and Island Dispersed Campsite Cleanup
Norris Reservoir, Norris, Tenn.
Saturday, Sept. 24, 9 a.m. - noon EDT
Volunteers will help cleanup dispersed campsites on islands and the shoreline in the Loyston Sea area of Norris Reservoir in Union and Anderson Counties. Meet at Point 19/Loyston Point Boat Launch parking lot off Loyston Point Road.
For more information, contact Garrett Ferry, (865) 632-6101, gferry@tva.gov

Fly Casting and Tying Demonstration
South Holston Tailwater and Dam Reservation, Bristol, Tenn.
Saturday, Sept. 24, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. EDT
Presentations will include fly fishing basics, fly tying and casting and strategies for fishing TVA’s South Holston tailwater. Participants will have the opportunity to help construct fishing line recycling bins that will be installed at public access areas throughout the Tennessee River Valley. Informational booths will also be on display. The event will be held at the parking lot near the weir. Meet in the Osceola Island parking lot off Holston View Dam Road.
For more information, contact Anthony Summitt, (423) 467-3811, adsummitt@tva.gov

 

Native Plant Discussion and Exotic Species Removal
Worthington Cemetery Cedar Barren Small Wild Area, Oak Ridge,Tenn.
Saturday, Sept. 24, 9 a.m. - noon EDT
TVA and Tennessee Citizens for Wilderness Planning will host a joint event to discuss the types and benefits of native plants, as well as remove exotic or invasive species and perform trail clearing and maintenance within the small wild area. The small wild area is located off Highway 95, left on Melton Lake Dr., then left on Marywater Lane.
For more information, contact Wes James, (865) 632-1312, wkjames@tva.gov

Kayaking Tour of TVA and TWRA Areas
Douglas Reservoir, Dandridge, Tenn.
Saturday, Oct. 1, (note date) 9 a.m. EDT start
Kayakers can tour TVA and Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency public lands along Douglas Reservoir. Put-in and take out will be at the Dandridge TWRA ramp along Highway 92 south, on the right after the Hoskins Bridge.
For more information, contact Aurora Moldovanyi, (423) 585-2134, admoldovanyi@tva.gov