You’ve likely heard of the Tennessee River Gorge Trust, but have you ever wondered what the trust does, exactly?
Last week, we took a boat adventure with the nonprofit — on the Tennessee River Gorge, of course — to learn a bit more about what it does + how you can get involved.
A foggy morning on the Tennessee River Gorge | Video via NOOGAtoday
🏞️ Fast Facts
- The trust was founded by Chattanoogans in 1981 with the purpose of protecting the land surrounding the river Gorge.
- While the recent Edward’s Point acquisition was big news, the trust also acquired 2 additional tracts on Signal and Aetna Mountains — the view just before the Spaceship house + a property featuring a large wetland called a fen.
- Stringer’s Ridge, though not located on the Gorge, is also managed by TRGT.
Check out our Reel on Instagram for more gorge-s videos from the boat ride | Video via NOOGAtoday
🏞️ What else does TRGT do?
- The organization has a bird banding observatory on the river Gorge that’s used for research, education + engagement. According to TGRT, because birds are an indicator species, bird banding research helps the trust know what’s going on with the land.
- TRGT manages various campgrounds in the area — Williams Island, Pot Point Blueway, and Boulder Field.
- In the spring + summer, the trust schedules boat tours (like the one we went on), hosts various outdoor community activities, and works on conservation efforts along with bird banding research.
- In the fall + winter, they focus on boundary patrol, stewardship work, trail improvement, community engagement, and running the campsites.
- The trust also has a partnership in Petén, Guatemala — where many of the river Gorge birds fly south for the winter.
🏞️ How to take part
While the TRGT has slowed down its community engagement due to COVID-19, the nonprofit hopes to start activities back up in the spring, including:
- Boat tours
- Public bird adventures
- Group hikes
- Sunset paddling in partnership with Outdoor Chattanooga
In the meantime, all of the trust’s facilities are open for use, including campsites. You can secure a permit to camp up to 10 days for free online.
The land trust also has a live Gorge cam, so you can check out the Gorge year-round from the comfort of your own home.
Use the buttons below to share this story with your outdoor adventure buddy, your friend who feels elation for conservation, and any bird nerds.
Today
- The Price is Right Live! | Tues., Oct. 19 | 7:30 p.m. | Tivoli Theatre | $29+ | Register at the box office 3 hours before showtime for your chance to compete. 💰
- Idea Leap Grant Pitch Picnic | Tues., Oct. 19 | 4-6 p.m. | Bessie Smith Cultural Center | Free | Bring your chairs + blankets for a picnic on the lawn while cheering for your favorite TVFCU Idea Leap Grant finalist.
- East Tennessee Redistricting Hearing | Tues., Oct. 19 | 7-9 p.m. | Greater Second Missionary Baptist Church, 810 Shallowford Rd. + virtual | Free | This redistricting hearing will allow participants to learn more about the redistricting process + share their input.
Wednesday
- ChattaNewbies at No Hard Feelings | Wed., Oct. 20 | 5:30-7 p.m. | No Hard Feelings, 806 Broad St. | Free, RSVP | Chattanooga newbies + locals are welcome to join this casual happy hour at the recently-opened No Hard Feelings bar. 🤝
- Oktoberfest Tap Takeover | Wed., Oct. 20 | 5-7 p.m. + 8-10 p.m. | Kinley Chattanooga, 1409 Market St. | $150+ | Prepare to indulge in a fall-themed 4-course meal, paired with 4 fall beers from Oddstory Brewing Co. 🍻
Thursday
- Noontunes: Rick Rushing | Thurs., Oct. 21 | 12-1 p.m. | Miller Plaza | Free | Spend your lunchtime jammin’ to tunes and grabbing a bite at food trucks. 🎶
- Dvorak’s New World Symphony | Thurs., Oct. 21 | 7:30 p.m. | Memorial Auditorium | $25+ | Dvorak’s New World Symphony was inspired by Native American music + African-American spirituals.
Friday
- Boo in the Zoo | Fri., Oct. 22 | 4-8 p.m. | Chattanooga Zoo | $10+ | This family-friendly celebration is filled with not-so-scary decorations, trick-or-treat stations, scavenger hunts, costume contests, and more. 👻
- The Hollow | Fri., Oct. 22-Sun., Nov. 7 | Times vary | Chattanooga Theatre Centre, 400 River St. | $20+ | Catch the opening production of one of Agatha Christie’s most cleverly crafted thrillers. Ⓟ
We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
Weather
- 74º | Mostly sunny | 7% chance of rain 🌤️
Community
- Over the weekend, Chattanoogans gathered in the Westside Park softball field for the Grove Street Justice Rally — an event held in memory of Labrecia Dews and Keniqua Hughes, 2 women who died in a shooting on Grove Street last month. The event raised more than $7,200 for investigation efforts. ❤️ (Chattanooga Times Free Press)
Announced
- MasterChef Live! is coming to Chattanooga on Fri., Oct. 22. The interactive stage production will feature head-to-head cooking demonstrations with previous MasterChef + MasterChef Junior contestants.
Civic
- The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office recently received a $28,000 donation from Aegis Law Enforcement to purchase "needed items" for the department. The sheriff’s office is also planning to apply for a $125,000 grant from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development to provide funding for the local FUSE housing program. (Chattanooga Times Free Press)
Try This
- Registration is now open for the Annual Grateful Gobbler 5K Walk Run taking place on Thanksgiving Day at Coolidge Park. All of the proceeds from the walk will benefit the Maclellan Shelter for Families — an emergency homeless shelter located at the Community Kitchen. 🦃
Health
- Remote Area Medical — a nonprofit provider of pop-up clinics that delivers free dental, vision, and medical care to underserved + uninsured individuals — is hosting a clinic on Oct. 23-24 at the Camp Jordan Arena at 6 a.m. The clinic offers services including dental cleanings and fillings, eye exams, and COVID-19 vaccinations.
Outdoors
- In case you missed it, burning permits are required for the burning of leaf + brush piles. This is an effort for fire prevention awareness and safety as Tennessee enters fire season. The Chattanooga-Hamilton County Air Pollution Control Bureau offers guidelines for burning on its website. 🔥 (NewsChannel 9)
DYK
- The Tennessee Aquarium recently celebrated its 26-millionth guest since its doors opened in 1992. This milestone comes just before the aquarium celebrates its 30-year anniversary. 🐟 (Chattanooga Times Free Press)
Festival
- The Chattanooga Motorcar Festival took place this past weekend in downtown’s West Village, boasting thousands of attendees who were eager to see vintage cars, auctions + races. A portion of this year’s festival revenue will be donated to help support the NeuroScience Innovation Foundation at CHI Memorial Hospital. (Chattanooga Times Free Press)
Trending
- Google has released its annual Frightgeist interactive map, which features the most popular Halloween costumes in your area according to Google search trends. It turns out, the top searched costume in the 423 is Harley Quinn. Curious how your costume will compare? Check it out. 👻
Shop
- With Thrive Causemetics’ Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara™, you can get lashes that look like extensions at a fraction of the cost and without the damaging glue. This mascara is 100% vegan and cruelty-free with a revolutionary formula that will give you longer, stronger lashes over time. Bonus: Get 15% off your first order. Ⓟ
What better way to celebrate the weather finally getting cooler than a Halloween-themed picnic?
Local business Southern Pearl Picnics is partnering with Soddy Daisy’s Flat Top Farm to offer these extremely Instagrammable fall picnics, complete with a corn maze, hay ride, kettle corn, and — of course — a full scenic picnic.
You can choose between the spooky or bonfire-themed picnic options through the end of October. 🧺
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