Tag Archives: environment

Great Smoky Mountains National Park held two ribbon-cutting ceremonies to unveil over 10 new pieces of alternative fuel equipment. The events were held at Oconaluftee Visitor Center near Cherokee, N.C. and Sugarlands Visitor Center near Gatlinburg, Tenn. on September 30, 2015. With the new pieces of alternative fuel equipment, the Smokies implemented three new facets of the park’s Climate Friendly ...

Dollywood takes its location at the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains seriously in terms of preserving the natural beauty of the area, and that extends to its construction projects. In August, Dollywood announced the addition of Lightning Rod, both the world’s fastest wood coaster and the world’s first launching wood coaster. While the thrilling $22 million ride marks the ...

Sevier Solid Waste is planning to build a biomass gasification plant, its second major project this year in an effort to become a zero waste facility. Sevier Solid Waste has hired PHG Energy to build a new biomass gasification plant capable of cleanly converting more than 30 tons of composted material daily into thermal energy while producing a valuable high-carbon biochar. ...

State and local officials were on hand this week to celebrate the completion of a building that will soon house Sevier County’s new recycling hub. The facility was made possible through a $300,000 Recycling Hub and Spoke Grant from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, which are awarded for the development and expansion of regional facilities to collect, transport ...

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is among several organizations launching a campaign to help save monarch butterflies and offering free seed packets to individuals, school groups and organizations that would like to participate in the Save the Monarchs Campaign. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, along with the National Wildlife Federation, Tennessee Wildlife Federation, Tennessee Parks and Greenways Foundation, Mississippi River ...

On Saturday, June 13, 2015 the Gatlinburg Farmers Market will kick off the beginning of peak harvest season with a summer celebration highlighting health, nutrition, and sustainable living from 8:30 a.m. to noon at the Covered Bridge complex in the Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community. “We’ve added several vendors to the market, for June 13th only, that focus on ...

Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials announced the completion of an enhancement and restoration project of a 4,613-foot section of Chilogatee Branch and four of its tributaries totaling 744 feet within the park. The streams had been degraded by clearing of riparian forest, channel relocations, and unrestricted livestock access prior to the property’s inclusion in the park. The project was ...

Local beekeepers say a swarm of bees is no sign for alarm. When left alone, the swarm usually poses no threat. However, experts say the bees themselves may be in need of some help. “If you see a swarm of bees clustered on a branch or shrub, please let someone know who can help in their capture,” says Charles Foutch, ...

Buyers and lessees of qualifying electric vehicles will be eligible to receive a rebate from the state of Tennessee in a rebate program beginning June 2015 and running until the funding runs out. The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation’s Office of Energy Programs today announced it will offer a two-tiered rebate on qualifying electric vehicles that are purchased or ...

Join park staff and partners on Saturday June 6, 2015 to celebrate National Trails Day with a volunteer opportunity to participate in Appalachian Trail Work Day. The national park is once again working with the Friends of the Smokies, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy Regional Office, and the Smoky Mountain Hiking Club to host this large volunteer event. This work day event has taken place in the park for the last 19 years ...