Tunnel Hill Now Protected by the Land Trust

The Land Trust for Tennessee has announced the protection of Tunnel Hill, which is 411 acres just west of Sewanee in Franklin County.
This forested property was the last remaining, unprotected, private tract separating Hawkins Cove State Natural Area and Bear Hollow Wildlife Management Area. With a bridge loan from Open Space Institute (OSI), The Land Trust purchased the property from long-time Sewanee resident Peter Keeble earlier this year. The property was then transferred to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) on Aug. 31 to be managed as part of the 15,000-acre Bear Hollow Wildlife Management Area.
The property is critical for connectivity and is home to numerous rare species of plants, including a large population of the Cumberland rosinweed (Silphium brachiatum), a state-endangered species found in only a few counties in Tennessee and Alabama.
The northern property boundary is a former railroad right-of-way that is in the process of being transformed into part of the Mountain Goat Trail. The Land Trust is pleased to partner with others on this Rails-to-Trails project creating a multi-use recreational trail connecting several communities in Grundy and Franklin counties.
The property also contains Cowan Tunnel, an active railroad tunnel that is still used by CSX today. The property adjoins Hawkins Cove State Natural Area, a 249-acre  property managed as part of the South Cumberland Recreation Area and a 200-acre conservation easement held by the Tennessee Parks and Greenways Foundation.
In addition to state and federal funding through TWRA, the project was supported by grants from OSI because of the tract’s importance in facilitating wildlife adaptation to climate change. OSI assembled the funding from Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, Lyndhurst Foundation, Benwood Foundation and Merck Family Fund.

Cowan Fall Heritage Festival Celebrates Third Year

The Fall Heritage Festival returns to Cowan Sept. 16–18, filling the Cowan Railroad Museum Park with music, art, history and free activities for kids of all ages. The free community-driven event celebrates the region’s traditions and history as well as showcasing the continuing talents, creativity and diversity of its residents. This year features an expanded Kids Zone, historical demonstrations and living history, vendors, and juried arts and crafts, and of course, festival food.
Highlights of the festival schedule include a car cruise-in and beauty pageant on Friday; Cornbread Contest and Duck River Electric’s High Voltage Safety Demonstration on Saturday; and an Ice Cream Pie Eating Contest (ages 4–16); and free Musical Instrument Petting Zoo lessons for children from bluegrass legend Tom Morgan on Sunday. Door prize drawings and live music continue throughout the weekend.
With more than 50 acts on three stages, music lovers will have a hard time catching all the performances, spanning the musical spectrum from classical to country, funk to fusion jazz. EmiSunshine kicks off the festival with her classic country sound at 5 p.m., Friday, Sept.16, on the Bandstand, along with Jesse & Noah (Bellamy) on the Monterey Station Platform, and Cullen Wade & the Waters on the Depot Stage. Other bands throughout the weekend include Jackwagon, Bad Nayber, The Coteries, Mateo Alexander and the Wayward Souls, Rybski’s Smokin’ Flyheads, Pacer & the Sundowners, the Guys, Hamartia, Built on Blues, Pink Robin and the Bra Bandits, Chase Clanton & the Vintage Vibes, Stillwater Bluegrass, and jazz extraordinaires, the 9th Street Stompers.
Among the songwriters performing are Dana Rogers, John Lathim, Tanner Hillis, Josh Wanamaker, Bude van Dyke, Marilyn Harris, David Watson, Kenneth Sullivan, Old Time Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Roy Harper, Randy Waller of the Country Gentlemen, and internationally award-winning songwriter and guitarist Shane Adkins. Other acoustic performances include Ben Ayers, Tom Morgan with longtime partner Lynn Haas, Regina Childress, Tom Gladstone, and The Charlie Scott’s Been There; Done That.
The fun begins Friday at 5 p.m. and runs until 9 p.m., and resumes Saturday at 10 a.m. through 9 p.m. Sunday hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The festival is free to the public, and made possible by the generous donations from regional businesses and individuals.
For complete schedule of activities, please see the festival’s website at <www.FallHeritageFestival.info>, <www.facebook.com/FallHeritageFestival>, email <info@FallHeritageFestival.info> or leave a message at (931) 563-3868 for additional information.