North Chickamauga Creek Conservancy P.O. Box 358 Hixson, TN 37343 Spring 2002 $500,000 Earmarked by Rep. Zach Wamp Through the efforts of U.S. Representative Zach Wamp, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, $500,000 to conserve forest lands within the North Chickamauga Creek Forest Legacy Area was included in the Fiscal Year 2002 federal budget. Rep. Wamp was also successful in securing federal FY 2002 funding for a number of other conservation projects in the Chattanooga area. Federal funding for the Forest Legacy Program is received and administered by the states. Participation in the program is strictly voluntary on the part of property owners. In Tennessee, Forest Legacy funding is used primarily for the purchase of conservation easements and the land remains in the hands of private owners. Only properties within a designated Forest Legacy Area are eligible to participate in the program. The North Chickamauga Creek Conservancy (NCCC) committed considerable time and effort several years ago in working with the State’s Division of Forestry to delineate boundaries and prepare the justification for creation of the North Chickamauga Creek Forest Legacy Area. The boundaries include much of the creek’s watershed area and also extends into an area drained by North and South Suck Creeks that provides potential conservation linkeage between the North Chickamauga Creek watershed and Prentice Cooper State Forest. Federal funding totaling approximately $2,000,000 has been designated in previous fiscal years for forest conservation in the North Chickamauga Creek area through the Forest Legacy Program. NCCC is working in partnership with the Tennessee Division of Forestry to inform owners of important conservation lands about the program. NCCC assists such landowners with the application process, provides support during the State’s rigorous evaluation and selection procedure, and then helps shepherd the conservation easements to completion. Scouts and NCCC Partner in EarthPact NCCC has teamed up with the Moccasin Bend Girl Scout Council to give some Scouts firsthand experience in conservation work. Linda Hixon, Executive Director, and Angela Young, Americorps-VISTA volunteer, are mentoring two girl Scouts with their EarthPact projects. EarthPact participants gain an increased knowledge of the process of science, gain field experience in environmental conservation, and are introduced to scientific and technical research methods. The participants also explore career opportunities through the mentoring experiences. Jessica McNabb from Troop 52 is evaluating the 12 acres that have been assembled behind the Hixson Bi-Lo for a future community park and greenway trailhead, and is developing ideas for future Scout projects there. Bethany Merrill from Troop 834 in Soddy-Daisy, is monitoring the water quality of Poe Branch, a tributary stream that discharges into North Chickamauga Creek. Bethany is monitoring the tributary at monthly intervals. The Scouts will report on their activities at an event at Coolidge Park on April 21, 2002. NCCC Welcomes VISTA Angela Young Angela Young joined NCCC’s staff in August. Her services are being provided to us though the Americorps*Volunteers In Service To America (VISTA) Program. Angela is one of three VISTA members working with organizations in Tennessee that address the social and environmental problems associated with abandoned mine lands and streams impacted by acid mine drainage. We acknowledge with much appreciation the efforts of Office of Surface Mining (OSM) staff and the cooperation of VISTA’s Tennessee director in laying the groundwork for VISTA to become involved in working with watershed organizations throughout the coal mining region. Angela has a bachelor of science degree in biology from the University of South Carolina-Coastal Carolina. Prior to her move to the Chattanooga area, she was employed as an environmental specialist with the Dept. of Environmental Management of Pinellas County, Florida. Angela’s duties include conducting community outreach and education on the techniques and benefits of watershed protection, with special emphasis placed on outreach to low income communities within the watershed to provide residents with the knowledge necessary to participate in watershed projects. She is helping develop a volunteer stream (and acid mine drainage sites) monitoring program for the North Chickamauga Creek Watershed. Her other tasks include helping weave together plans that have been prepared for various watershed projects into one concise document that will identify conservation, restoration, and other opportunities in the North Chickamauga Creek Watershed and provide a guide for future cooperative efforts to act on these opportunities. North Chickamauga Creek Conservancy: Year in Review From Trees to Signs, Litter to Flowers, We're Doing It All Greenway Tree Planting The City of Chattanooga’s Urban Forestry Division partnered with NCCC to host a tree planting at the Greenway on March 3, 2001. Over 250 trees were planted to reforest an area where trees infested with pine beetles had to be removed. The reforestation effort is expected to improve wildlife habitat in the area as the former stand of pine trees was replaced with mixed hardwoods. Among the volunteers participating were a number of Big Brothers and Big Sisters who brought their Little Brothers and Little Sisters. Wetlands Walk NCCC co-sponsored with Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA), and Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation a Wetlands Walk on May 5, 2001 at TWRA’s 260-acre tract bordering the east side of Highway 27 south of Thrasher Pike. The walk was led by Greg Atchley of TWRA. One of the interesting features observed by the hikers was the section of the creek where it transitions from the cobble bed of a mountain stream to the sandy bed of a valley stream. Scutellaria montana Survey With funding provided by a grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, NCCC conducted a survey last spring and early summer of a substantial portion of the new North Chickamauga Creek Gorge State Natural Area to locate and count the federally endangered Scutellaria montana (large-flowered skullcap). Christine Bock, chief horticulturist of the Tennessee Aquarium, was hired by NCCC to coordinate the survey. Although the wildflower has a limited range, successful efforts to identy and protect populations of Scutellaria montana has allowed USFWS to recommend downlisting Scutellaria montana to threatened status. NCCC plans to continue the survey this spring and early summer. National Public Lands Day On September 29, 2001, NCCC and the TN State Natural Area Program sponsored a cleanup in the North Chickamauga Creek Gorge State Natural Area near Boston Branch. Fourteen volunteers picked up litter, moved felled trees, and marked 1.75 miles of the SNA’s boundary with orange TDEC signs. Three hundred seventy pounds of garbage were removed. We thank the following people who volunteered at the Public Lands Day clean-up event: Lucinda Goolsby, Janet Lohman, Jeremy Henderson, Deborah Fosbury, David Fosbury, William Wiggins, Maxine Wiggins, Richard Sharpe, Jim Farmer, Hezzy Craft, Al Good, John Tucker (NCCC president), and Linda Hixon (NCCC executive director). David Lincicome, a stewardship ecologist with the Tennessee State Natural Areas Program, helped coordinate the effort. Environmental Foresight An informative and interesting report titled, "The Environmental Future: Emerging Challenges and Opportunities for EPA" can now be viewed online at: http://www.epa.gov/ocempage/nacept/final_report_nacept_jan2002.pdf. NCCC executive director Linda Hixon chaired the workgroup that prepared the report for EPA's National Advisory Committee on Environmental Policy and Technology (NACEPT). The report was presented to EPA Administrator Christine Whitman at NACEPT's January 29, 2002 meeting. Teachers who may want to incorporate environmental foresight practices into their curriculum may also want to view the online PowerPoint presentation of the report which can be found at: http://www.epa.gov/ocempage/nacept/emerging_trends_presentation_011102.ppt. While written for the purpose of providing guidance to EPA, the report will also be of interest to persons with a general interest in environmental issues. Conservancy Celebration NCCC held its Annual Conservancy Celebration on November 15, 2001, at Greenway Farm. Friends and supporters joined us in this fun and informative event. Bill McCallie and In Cahoots entertained while everyone enjoyed the good food and great company. Accomplishments of NCCC and its partners over the past year were reviewed and current and upcoming projects were highlighted. Special thanks to Pat Campbell, Linda Hubbert and family, Lynne Koby, Barbara Levi, Amy McDermott, Gaye Smith, Gail Stancombe, and Angela Young for helping organize this year’s celebration. Pocket Wilderness Picnic NCCC and Bowater hosted a picnic on Friday, May 25, 2001, at Bowater’s North Chickamauga Pocket Wilderness in honor of the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department which provides patrols within the Pocket Wilderness. Patrol duties are shared by sheriff’s deputies, reserve officers, and Native American Reserve Force officers. The Soddy Daisy Police Department is cooperating in the endeavor. NCCC president, John Tucker, expressed thanks to the police officers and Bowater. The officers are not here to hassle people. They’re here to keep it safe and clean, he said. He also thanked Girl Scout Troop 470 and the Soddy Daisy High School Beta Club, who had both adopted the Pocket Wilderness for clean-up efforts. The patrols have had a positive impact as Department officials noted that citations and litter were down from last year. The Beta Club has renewed its adoption of the area for another year. TDEC's Annual Stream Cleanup The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) hosted its third annual Stream Cleanup on June 9, 2001. The area chose for the clean-up was a section of North Chickamauga Creek north of Thrasher Pike. Twenty-two (22) people participated in the cleanup. Refreshments and T-shirts were provided. Among the items removed were 77+ tires, 2 dumpsters of garbage, a water heater, automobile gas tanks, sofa and chairs, and assorted household waste. Sponsors included: NCCC, TVA, Coca-Cola, Wal-Mart, Wheland Automotive Ind., M&M Mars, Colonial Pipeline Co., Earth Grains, Mayfield Dairy, Scenic City Beautiful, Southern Belle Riverboat, Tennessee American Water Co., and 212 Market Restaurant. Watershed Sign Installed In Summer 2001, NCCC installed a roadside sign on Hwy. 153, just north of the Chickamauga Dam, identifying the area as part of the North Chickmauga Creek Watershed. The sign was designed by NCCC summer intern, Anna Curvin, built by Mike Whaley and Steven Rogers of the TN Forestry Division, and painted and installed by NCCC board members Jamie Sharpe and Jeff Richards. The Tennessee Department of Transportation provided helpful assistance. The purpose of the sign is to increase public awareness of the watershed and encourage volunteer efforts to conserve it. Upcoming Events--Mark Your Calendars! Greenway Challenge 2002 On Saturday, April 27, 2002, NCCC will hold its first annual Greenway Challenge at the North Chickamauga Creek Greenway. This multifaceted event will be used by the Conservancy to both educate and entertain. Activites for a wide range of physical abilities and interests are planned. Activities include the Greenway Challenge Adventure Race involving up to 50 three-person teams cycling, paddling, and running along the Greenway trails and North Chickamauga Creek, a nature photography display, a canoe tour of the creek, and special activities for children. The Greenway Challenge is intended to be just that, a challenge to complete the corridor along North Chickamauga Creek. Proceeds from the event will benefit the work of the North Chickamauga Creek Conservancy. For more information, see insert or visit our website at www.northchick.org. State Natural Area Hike Join us Saturday, April 13, 2002, at 9:00 a.m. for a hike of the "top of the ridge" portion of the North Chickamauga Creek Gorge State Natural Area (SNA) hosted by NCCC and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC). This will be an easy to moderate hike of approximately 6 miles atop Walden's Ridge on the Flipper Bend portion of the SNA. Wildflowers and scenic views will be the highlights of the hike. Bring water, sturdy footwear, and dress appropriately for the weather. Led by David Lincicome of TDEC. Directions: Take US Hwy. 27 North to Dayton Pike North. Turn left onto Roberts Mill Road, and follow it up the mountain. Roberts Mill Road will become Hixson Springs Road. Stay on Hixson Springs Road until you come to Standing Rock Road (near Boston Branch subdivision). Reservations are requested to assist us in planning for adequate parking. Email your reservations to contact@northchick.org, or call NCCC at (423) 877-0777 or David Lincicome at (423) 634-3005. Stream Monitoring Program Interested in the water quality of North Chickamauga Creek and other streams? Join NCCC's Volunteer Stream Monitoring Program! NCCC is looking for dedicated individuals to collect water quality samples. No experience necessary; training will be provided. Data collected will be kept in a database to track trends and get an overall picture of the health of the North Chickamauaga Creek Watershed. Some have already participated in training events and have collected their first samples. Thanks to the following volunteers: Rick Nunley, Steve Nunley, Robin Bowen (NCC Mile 3), Bethany & Sherry Merrill (Poe Branch), TN Aquarium & home schoolers (Pitts Branch), and Larry Smith (Bostoon Branch). Be a part of this exciting new program! Contact Angela at (423) 877-0777 or vista@northchick.org. EPA's Watershed Academy Earn your EPA Watershed Academy Web's Watershed Management Training Certificate. This program recognizes trainees who complete 15 modules and pass their self-tests. No registration, admission, or tuition. http://www.epa.gov/watertrain/ Support NCCC With Bi-Lo's Booster Program You can sign up to support NCCC through purchases you make using a Bi-Lo BonusCard by calling toll-free 1-877-4-BOOSTER, or by visiting Bi-Lo's website at http://www.bi-lo.com. NCCC's Booster ID is 4210. NCCC Needs Your Support NCCC is raising funds needed to support our organizational efforts. Your past support and encouragement has been a big part of our successes and we continue to need your help. Please consider making a contribution to NCCC today. Your help is greatly appreciated! $25-99 Friend of the Greenway $100-499 Advocate of Clean Water $500-999 Conserver of the Watershed $1,000 + Protector of Land North Chickamauga Creek Conservancy P.O. Box 358 Hixson, TN 37343 Phone: (423) 877-0777 Email: contact@northchick.org Web: http://www.northchick.org