The nation’s largest, single-day volunteer effort for public lands was held on Sept. 26, on National Public Lands Day (NPLD), and the efforts of many people centered on the Fiery Gizzard Trail re-route in South Cumberland State Park. After the threat to the Fiery Gizzard Trail made the evening news in Nashville and the front page of the Chattanooga Times, hundreds of people have responded. Ranger Jason Reynolds said, “We have been inundated by calls and emails from groups who want to help.”
The Nashville location of outdoor recreation retailer REI selected the Fiery Gizzard Trail as its NPLD volunteer project, partnering with the Friends of South Cumberland (FSC) to recruit workers. REI volunteers joined Boy Scouts, members of Tennessee Trails Association, students and faculty from Highland Academy in Portland, Tenn., and others who braved the trail work in the steep, rocky terrain.
Ken Tucker of Tennessee’s “Wild Side TV” altered his schedule to come to Grundy County and film a piece on the trail. The story will begin airing across the state on PBS in early October. Ranger Reynolds noted that in coming weeks he has scheduled volunteer workers from Boy Scout troops, a group from Georgia Tech, Sewanee students, an organization from Chattanooga that specializes in rock work on trails, and many from hiking Meet Ups in the tri-state region. The volunteer efforts continue every Saturday and Sunday through December, with workers meeting at the Grundy Forest parking lot at 9 a.m.
In mid-August the park learned that a private landowner had withdrawn permission to cross his land, which will block one section of the popular 12.5-mile trail, effective Dec. 1. The linear trail, heralded by Backpacker Magazine as the sixth in the nation on the list of Best Fall Foliage Hikes, is loved by many.
“We have never seen a response like this,” said Reynolds, who is coordinating the new trail. “The only way to save this trail is to re-route a section down into the cove, skirting the privately owned property.”
Friends of South Cumberland and the Savage Gulf Preservation League are hosting a land preservation celebration, Gaze and Graze, on Sunday, Oct. 11. At 2 p.m. meet at Stone Door for a hike to the overlook; 3–4:30 p.m., gather at Beersheba Springs Hotel for music, refreshments and fun. Bazzania will provide music.
“This is an opportunity to celebrate with the fine folks who are committed to preserving the great spaces of South Cumberland State Park,” said organizers.
Reservations are not required. For more information, contact Margaret Matens by email to <FSCpublicity@gmail.com> or call (931) 924-2623.
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