NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation has lifted a recreational water contact advisory for the lower portion of the New River, including a section within the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area. Due to operational failures at the Huntsville, Tenn. wastewater treatment plant, TDEC issued an advisory for this water body on December 7, 2012.

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Historical Commission has announced seven Tennessee sites have been added to the National Register of Historic Places.  The National Register of Historic Places is the nation’s official list of cultural resources worthy of preservation.  It is part of a nationwide program that coordinates and supports efforts to identify, evaluate and protect historic resources.  The Tennessee Historical Commission administers the program in Tennessee.

NASHVILLE –Tennessee State Parks will sponsor free, guided hikes on New Year’s Day in commemoration of the park system’s 75^th Anniversary. Each state park will host its own special hike in the first few days of the New Year.

NASHVILLE – Make plans now to ring in 2013 with a number of special New Year’s Eve celebrations at Tennessee State Parks inns and restaurants, including dinner buffets, holiday room discounts, music and dancing!

LEBANON, Tenn. — The Tennessee Healthy Watershed Initiative and Wilson County dedicated a second environmental project Tuesday at the James E. Ward Agriculture Center / Fairgrounds, which includes the implementation of a pervious parking area, rain gardens, nature trails, wetlands, and other techniques to capture and clean stormwater on site before it enters Tennessee’s waters. 

Nominations are Open for Governor’s 2013 Environmental Stewardship Awards

NASHVILLE – The Department of Environment and Conservation is inviting Tennesseans to submit nominations for the Governor’s 2013 Environmental Stewardship Awards. The awards recognize Tennesseans who go above and beyond to protect the state’s diverse environment.

Public invited to dedication ceremony at the Wilson County Fairgrounds Dec. 18

LEBANON, Tenn. — The Tennessee Healthy Watershed Initiative and Wilson County will dedicate a second project on Dec. 18, at the James E. Ward Agriculture Center / Fairgrounds, including the implementation of a pervious parking area, rain gardens, nature trails, wetlands, and other techniques to capture and clean stormwater on site before it enters Tennessee’s waters.

18 Grants Will Help Communities Meet Waste Reduction Goals

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Department of Environment and Conservation Commissioner Bob Martineau today awarded approximately $1.7 million in Recycling Equipment and Hub / Spoke Grants for FY 2013 projects to help reduce landfill waste in Tennessee.

NASHVILLE – Radnor Lake State Park and Natural Area will host an art show and reception devoted to Tennessee’s Sandhill Cranes on Sunday, December 16, from 12:15 to 3 p.m.  Titled When Heart and Art Take Flight, the event will be held at Radnor Lake’s visitor center.

HARRISON, Tenn. – The year 2012 marks Tennessee State Parks’ 75th Anniversary, and to help commemorate this important milestone, Harrison Bay State Park will host Holiday at the Bay on Sunday, Dec. 16, from 6 to 10 p.m.