Welcome to Tennessee Heartwood
You've found the place for folks who love Tennessee's public lands. We are a 501c3 nonprofit working to protect and preserve our best wild places. From the Land Between the Lakes to the Cherokee National Forest, Tennessee Heartwood advocates for the wild. Visit our site to learn more about what we do, from outdoors excursions to legal advocacy, we're always on the trail!
Coalition Files Suit on the Dinkey Sale at Tumbling Creek!
The Southern Environmental Law Center, on behalf of the Tennessee Chapter of the Sierra Club, and Knoxville attorney Shelby Ward, on behalf of Heartwood and Tennessee Heartwood, jointly filed a lawsuit in federal court Thursday, alleging that the Forest Service is illegally endangering the soil, forests, and waters of the Cherokee National Forest and hiding those risks from the public.
At stake is Tumbling Creek, a cold-water trout stream running through the mountains of southeast Tennessee into the Ocoee River, popular with local families for fishing, wading, and picnicking. "Deliberately ignoring the disastrous effects of nearby timber sales on similar soils and slopes, the Forest Service recently decided to allow heavy commercial logging along the creek," said officials.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
We need you! The Riverbend Music Festival is one of our biggest fundraisers and we need volunteers. Volunteers are needed from June 8th-16th (excluding 11th & 12th). Hours are from 4:30-11pm. For more information or to volunteer email campfamily63@yahoo.com and place "Riverbend Volunteer" in the subject line.
Natural History Hike with Jay Clark
Join us March 31st for a "Geological, Natural, and Prehistoric" Hike lead by Author Jay Clark. We will meet at the Pigeon Mountain Grill at 9 am and will be driving and hiking to sites of geological, natural, and of prehistoric interest. Wear appropriate clothing and shoes.
Each individual will need a one day pass from the Ga. Department of Natural Resources (DNR). We will be on state property, thus the requirement for the pass.
There is a lot of history of and on pigeon Mountain. This mountain is a treasure cove of mystery and discovery. Come and visit some interesting sites with us and learn about the history. Bring water, snacks, and camera.
Appalachian Spring Wildflower Hike in the Citico Creek Wilderness.
Tennessee Heartwood Spring Wildflower Hike with Botanist Holli Richie at North Fork of the Citico (Southern end of the Cherokee National Forest in May 6th. Meet at the Tellico Visitor's center at 9am. Holli will identify wildflowers, plants, and edibles.
The Southern Environmental Law Center, on behalf of the Tennessee Chapter of the Sierra Club, and Knoxville attorney Shelby Ward, on behalf of Heartwood and Tennessee Heartwood, jointly filed a lawsuit in federal court Thursday, alleging that the Forest Service is illegally endangering the soil, forests, and waters of the Cherokee National Forest and hiding those risks from the public.
At stake is Tumbling Creek, a cold-water trout stream running through the mountains of southeast Tennessee into the Ocoee River, popular with local families for fishing, wading, and picnicking. "Deliberately ignoring the disastrous effects of nearby timber sales on similar soils and slopes, the Forest Service recently decided to allow heavy commercial logging along the creek," said officials.
MORE...
UPCOMING EVENTS
We need you! The Riverbend Music Festival is one of our biggest fundraisers and we need volunteers. Volunteers are needed from June 8th-16th (excluding 11th & 12th). Hours are from 4:30-11pm. For more information or to volunteer email campfamily63@yahoo.com and place "Riverbend Volunteer" in the subject line.
Natural History Hike with Jay Clark
Join us March 31st for a "Geological, Natural, and Prehistoric" Hike lead by Author Jay Clark. We will meet at the Pigeon Mountain Grill at 9 am and will be driving and hiking to sites of geological, natural, and of prehistoric interest. Wear appropriate clothing and shoes.
Each individual will need a one day pass from the Ga. Department of Natural Resources (DNR). We will be on state property, thus the requirement for the pass.
There is a lot of history of and on pigeon Mountain. This mountain is a treasure cove of mystery and discovery. Come and visit some interesting sites with us and learn about the history. Bring water, snacks, and camera.
Appalachian Spring Wildflower Hike in the Citico Creek Wilderness.
Tennessee Heartwood Spring Wildflower Hike with Botanist Holli Richie at North Fork of the Citico (Southern end of the Cherokee National Forest in May 6th. Meet at the Tellico Visitor's center at 9am. Holli will identify wildflowers, plants, and edibles.
Forest Service Approves Dinkey Timber Sale
Cherokee National Forest Supervisor JaSal Morris has sigend off on the Dinkey Timber Sale. Tennessee Heartwood has been vigorously opposing this sale since January 2014. The local press has also been sounding the alarm on the potential disasters for this sale (found here, here, and here).
Supervisor Morris refused to consider our legal objection this summer, claiming that we "did not provide sufficient information....for the reviewing officer to review," an amazing claim considering that we have spent three and a half years in legal comments and meetings restating detailed, site specific concerns (some of which are found here and here) about the impacts of logging on sensitive soils and steep slopes; threats to Tumbling Creek, a designated trout stream; a lack of a detailed economic feasilbilty analysis for this project; and more. This is not only an ecological disaster for the Cherokee, but a direct assault on citizen rights to participate in their National Forests' policies under NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act).
This is not over. Tennessee Heartwood and the Sierra Club plan to pursue legal action. We encourage people to get involved. Please contact your congressman to express your displeasure at the Cherokee's blatant disregard for the environment and public participation.
For more information, contact us!
Supervisor Morris refused to consider our legal objection this summer, claiming that we "did not provide sufficient information....for the reviewing officer to review," an amazing claim considering that we have spent three and a half years in legal comments and meetings restating detailed, site specific concerns (some of which are found here and here) about the impacts of logging on sensitive soils and steep slopes; threats to Tumbling Creek, a designated trout stream; a lack of a detailed economic feasilbilty analysis for this project; and more. This is not only an ecological disaster for the Cherokee, but a direct assault on citizen rights to participate in their National Forests' policies under NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act).
This is not over. Tennessee Heartwood and the Sierra Club plan to pursue legal action. We encourage people to get involved. Please contact your congressman to express your displeasure at the Cherokee's blatant disregard for the environment and public participation.
For more information, contact us!