Tennessee State Parks will participate in First Lady Maria Lee’s Tennessee Serves initiative from September 19-29, organizing volunteer work events at parks throughout the state. These events align with National Public Lands Day, set for Saturday, September 28.
Through Tennessee Serves, the First Lady invites residents to engage in service projects aimed at improving the state. Each month, a service challenge is presented, and September’s focus is on supporting Tennessee State Parks.
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Governor Bill Lee has officially declared September as Conservation Month through a proclamation. The First Lady will personally attend events on September 19 at Roan Mountain State Park and on September 26 at Johnsonville State Historic Park. Activities at Roan Mountain will include work on a native garden restoration project at the historic Miller Farmstead and the removal of invasive plants along the Doe River and Moonshiners Run Trail. At Johnsonville, volunteers will help clear debris from the shores of Trace Creek, which was affected by the 2021 Humphreys County Flood.
Other parks will host various activities such as trail cleanup, garbage collection, and the removal of invasive species. Specific projects include building a quarter-mile trail to the historic Wheeler Cemetery at Cove Lake State Park, working on native flower garden beds at Big Cypress Tree State Park, establishing a footbridge at Rock Island State Park, and developing a chestnut grove at Bledsoe Creek State Park. For a complete list of events, click here.
“Tennessee is blessed with unmatched beauty and rich natural resources, and that’s why we’ve developed a conservation strategy that balances our state’s economic growth with a plan to protect our environment,” Governor Lee said. “Tennesseans are always willing to step up and serve, and this is an excellent opportunity to invest in Tennessee State Parks.”
“Tennessee State Parks deserve our care, and these volunteer events help us ensure Tennessee continues to be home to the best parks in America,” First Lady Lee stated. “We are grateful to all volunteers involved in these service events, and we encourage every Tennessean to get involved in keeping our state parks beautiful.”
“We are delighted once again to join the First Lady in her Tennessee Serves program,” said Commissioner David Salyers of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. “Our Governor and First Lady set excellent examples in conservation, and we are proud to be a part of such an excellent volunteer program.”
Volunteers are advised to wear clothing suitable for getting dirty or wet and sturdy, closed-toe shoes. They should also bring work gloves and a reusable water bottle.
First Lady Maria Lee launched Tennessee Serves in 2019 to encourage Tennesseans to volunteer in their communities. The initiative focuses on serving Tennesseans, particularly in distressed counties, highlighting those already making positive impacts, and mobilizing residents to meet community needs. For more information on Tennessee Serves, click here.
National Public Lands Day is a nationwide effort to care for and celebrate public lands. It has grown from one federal agency and 700 volunteers to the largest single-day volunteer event for public lands. For more information on National Public Lands Day, click here.
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Hazardous Waste Collection in Tennessee Counties
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) will offer a mobile household hazardous waste collection service in Greene, Maury, and Overton counties on Saturday, September 7. Residents are encouraged to bring items such as cleaning fluids, pesticides, and swimming pool chemicals to designated drop-off locations. The collection service is free for household waste; however, there is a fee for non-household waste, and appointments can be made by calling (615) 643-3170. For more information, call 800-287-9013 or visit this link.