Nashville, Tenn. – The fourth annual Tennessee History Festival will be held October 12-13 at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park in Nashville. This event blends education and entertainment, allowing school groups and families alike to experience more than 300 years of Tennessee history. Last year, the festival drew more than 6,000 visitors to the park.

Nashville, Tenn. – The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation will hold meetings in October to discuss the watershed water quality management plans for the Lower Tennessee, Hatchie and Little Hatchie River Watersheds.  The public is invited to attend and provide input about the plans.

Spencer, Tenn. – First Lady Andrea Conte will join local leaders and the Van Buren County Historical Society on a visit to three Trail of Tears sites in Van Buren County and to walk part of the Trail on Tuesday, October 2.  The group will visit the John Fleming Farm, the Pleasant Hill Cemetery and Rocky River Crossing, which was recently added to the National Register of Historic Places.   Each site represents a significant location along the Trail of Tears.

Nashville, Tenn. – Governor Phil Bredesen and Environment and Conservation Commissioner Jim Fyke have announced three $425,000 grants, one each for the cities of Chattanooga, Knoxville, and Metro Nashville.  The grants will assist in the continuing operation and maintenance of those communities’ permanent household hazardous waste facilities over the next five years.

Nashville, Tenn. – Governor Phil Bredesen and Environment and Conservation Commissioner Jim Fyke announced today that the Tennessee State Parks System has been named the best state parks system in the country by the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration and the National Recreation and Park Association.

Nashville, Tenn. – Governor Phil Bredesen and Department of Environment and Conservation Commissioner Jim Fyke today announced a $7,500 Waste Tire Cleanup Grant for Marion County. This grant will fund the cleanup of hundreds of tires that were dumped on Francis Springs Road and Bessie Jones Road in Jasper within the last two years.

Nashville, Tenn. – The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation’s mobile household hazardous waste (HHW) collection service will be in Blount and Tipton Counties on Saturday, October 6, 2007.

Oak Ridge, Tenn. – The first trail on the Black Oak Ridge Conservation Easement is open, and the public is invited to attend a guided hike on the trail Friday, October 5, 2007 to celebrate. The hike will begin at 1 p.m. The opening of the Dyllis Orchard Road Hiking Trail and parking area signifies the first opportunity for the public to access the Black Oak Ridge Conservation Easement.

Nashville, Tenn. – The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation will hold meetings in October to discuss the watershed water quality management plans for Old Hickory Lake and the Big South Fork, Obey and Clear Fork River Watersheds. The public is invited to attend and provide input about the plans.

Nashville, Tenn. – Governor Phil Bredesen has proclaimed Sept. 29, 2007, as Public Lands Day in Tennessee. The proclamation coincides with National Public Lands Day celebrations being held across the country.