Protecting Our Tennessee Trails

From the rugged peaks of the Blue Ridge Mountains to the winding boardwalks of West Tennessee’s wetlands, our state’s landscape is a masterclass in ecological diversity. On Saturday, June 6th, Tennesseans will lace up their boots and celebrate American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day, a nationwide initiative dedicated to advocating for, maintaining, and enjoying our invaluable public trail systems.

Tennessee State Parks boasts over 1,300 miles of managed trails that serve as vital corridors for wildlife conservation and human wellness. Parks across the state are hosting guided interpretive hikes, volunteer trail maintenance workshops, and native species identification walks. Whether scaling the dramatic cliffs of Fall Creek Falls or exploring the historical paths at Montgomery Bell, these public lands connect us deeply to our natural heritage. Find an upcoming Tennessee State Park Event.

Whether you are hiking with Tennessee State Parks or hiking on your own, ensure that you are helping to keep these fragile ecosystems resilient by practicing Leave No Trace Principles.

Stick to the Trail: Avoid cutting switchbacks to prevent severe soil erosion and protect vulnerable understory plants.
Pack It In, Pack It Out: Take all trash and organic waste with you to avoid disrupting local wildlife diets.
Respect Wildlife: Observe Tennessee’s diverse fauna from a safe distance and preserve the natural soundscape.

Native plants are species that occur naturally in a specific region. These plants formed symbiotic relationships with native wildlife over thousands of years. Because of the close-knit relationships, native plants provide the best food, habitat, and shelter for wildlife.

A great example of a native plant that can be found across Tennessee is the oak tree. Oaks have been found to provide habitat for over 2,000 species of wildlife, including different types of caterpillars, birds, and mammals. From June 1st through August 31st, Davidson County residents can order free native trees, such as the Shingle Oak, for delivery to their property. Complete the Root Nashville Free Tree Order Form.

Use the resources below to find native plants for your area of Tennessee.

Learn how our Tennessee State Parks are using native plants to support pollinators.

Together, Mrs. Meyers Clean Day and KidsGardening designed the Lots of Compassion Grant program to support local leaders looking to transform vacant lots into gardens to help grow compassion in their community. In 2026, 10 grantees will receive $20,000 each to transform a vacant lot into a garden. A total of $200,000 will be awarded. The deadline for application submission is June 15, 2026, at 11:59 PM PT. Learn more about the Lots of Compassion Grant.

The Northwest Tennessee Local Food Network is hosting a youth-focused Grow Food Challenge from May 1 to July 1, 2026, aimed at encouraging children, teens, and young adults to grow food, compost, and reduce household food waste. Participants from nine counties Benton, Carroll, Crockett, Dyer, Gibson, Henry, Lake, Obion, and Weakley are invited to pick up free seeds and supplies and share their journey via photos or short videos on Facebook using #GrowFoodChallenge. Submissions can include planting vegetables, herbs, edible flowers, composting scraps, or showcasing their first harvests. Entries will be accepted through July 1 at 11:59 pm, and winners will be chosen by random drawing.

With no minimum garden size and parental supervision encouraged, this initiative promotes sustainable habits, nutrition education, and community engagement. Empowering young people to connect with local food systems, practice teamwork, and develop lifelong skills through hands-on growing and composting activities.

The Tennessee Environmental Council is hosting a Recycling Roundup on June 13th in Bordeaux, Nashville—a free drop-off event for hard‑to‑recycle items. Residents can bring electronics, scrap metal, Styrofoam, tires, pet supplies, and more, all processed through trusted recycling partners. The Recycling Roundup events helps reduce litter, prevent illegal dumping, and keep reusable and recyclable materials out of landfills. It’s an easy way to clear out clutter while supporting a more sustainable Tennessee.

With summer grill season upon us, it’s a great time to use up those condiments in your fridge—like ketchup, mustard, relish, and mayonnaise. Mix them together to create a delicious burger sauce for your next batch of burgers and fries. For a healthier twist, try using the sauce as a dip for roasted veggies, such as brussels sprouts, zucchini, or portobello mushrooms. You can also build a healthy burger bowl using ingredients like lettuce, pickles, tomatoes, and onions as your base.