The Cataylst Newsletter
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Jump to: Community Corner, Business Corner, State Government Corner, Small Business Environmental Assistance Program
Fun, Local, Sustainable Places in TN
By: Caleb Powell
School is out and the weather is getting warmer which means summer is right around the corner. While planning for family vacations and travel, it is important to weigh your destination options by looking at: cost, travel time, things to do, and even your environmental footprint.
The diverse geography of Tennessee makes the state a destination for recreation and nature-based activities. From mountain biking and camping to fishing and birdwatching, there is something for everyone while traveling through “The Volunteer State”. The following list highlights places to visit in Tennessee that are sustainable and offer exceptional experiences: 
  • Tennessee State Parks are nationally recognized and offer local and cost-effective summer activities to people of all ages. These parks are one of the main reasons that Tennessee is such a great place to live, work, and especially play. They are located throughout the state and include:
    • 57 Unique Parks
    • 6 Lodges
    • 36 Campgrounds
    • 372 Cabins
    • Over 80 Waterfalls
In addition to free admission for all visitors, they offer a 10% Tennessee Resident Discount to make spending the night outdoors even more affordable. Residents can take advantage of the discount by phone or online at reserve.tnstateparks.com.
  • Ruby Falls is home to the tallest and deepest underground cave waterfall open to the public in the United States. Located in Lookout Mountain, near Chattanooga, TN.
    • Listen to this podcast to hear about Ruby Falls and their sustainability initiatives.
Community Corner
World Oceans Day takes place on June 8th and although Tennessee isn’t bordered by an ocean, the health of our oceans is dependent on the waterways that feed into them. Rivers and streams provide so many benefits to communities by trapping floodwaters, recharging groundwater supplies, filtering pollution, and providing habitat for fish and wildlife. 
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) also has grant funding to assist cities, schools, community organizations, civic groups, watershed organizations, and conservation groups with stream clean-up projects and planting projects. The application deadline for this program is June 30, 2023.

You can make a difference to the health of Tennessee waters by volunteering at one of the events below or organize a clean-up in your community. 
Keep the Tennessee River Beautiful - June 9th and 10th at Chickamauga Lake
Harpeth Conservancy  
Cumberland River Compact - Several opportunities in June and July
Business Corner
Upcoming Webinar
TVA EnergyRight - Your Partner for Energy Efficiency Improvements
Wednesday, June 12, 2023 || 1pm CST
TVA EnergyRight for Business and Industry partners with local power companies across TVA's seven-state region to bring energy efficiency, demand response, efficient electrification and renewable energy programs to approximately 10 million people and 800,000 businesses.
During the webinar, TVA EnergyRight staff will provide an overview of their programs and speak about incentive offerings with industrial examples. The presentation will cover the Strategic Energy Management Program (Save It Forward), the Federal Energy Services Program (FESP), and different compressed air trainings that are offered.
Register Here!
 State Government Corner
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville has partnered with iSustain, a national leader in industrial recycling to establish a ‘first of its kind’ $400,000 sustainability endowment to support Haslam College of Business students. The predicted amount of the annual scholarship is approximately $18,000 and gives preference to students who are passionate and engaged in promoting sustainability.
Federal and state aid aren’t available to graduate students, making this fellowship all the more vital and unique. This scholarship can make a huge difference for a full-time student working multiple jobs versus being able to focus on their studies. Not only does this help fill the need for students seeking a graduate-level business education but it also supports our business sustainability leaders of tomorrow.
 Small Business Environmental Assistance Corner
Springtime is synonymous with spring cleaning, and the number of cleaners on the market can be overwhelming when trying to decide what’s the best performing yet safest chemical for you, your family, and your coworkers. Fortunately, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has done the homework for you by developing Safer Choice Standard. Products that earn EPA’s Safer Choice label must meet strict requirements not only for human health and the environment, but also for performance! Next time you are at the store, look for the Safer Choice label on cleaners. Alternatively, search for your favorite brands on EPA’s Safer Choice website for both Home- and Business-use cleaners. Keep in mind that Safer Choice is a voluntary program; if you don’t see your favorite cleaner on the list, you will have to do the homework to determine if it’s truly eco-friendly. Additionally, product manufacturers can review the Safer Choice Standard criteria to learn how to apply for the label for your product here.
Recipe of the Month
Candied orange peel
Have you been throwing your orange peels away? What if I said you can actually eat them? Yep! Check out this recipe for candied orange peel and keep those delicious organe peels out of the landfill.
News Articles
Vanderbilt University to deploy Lightning eMotors ZEV4™ electric shuttle buses for intercampus transit
Events
Tennessee State Parks Events
Household Hazardous Waste Collection
Environmental Education in Tennessee Events
Socket, Nashville's Sustainability Outlet
Funding Opportunities
TDEC Grants and Programs 
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
TDOT Rural Planning Initiative
Grants.gov
Rural Energy for America Program
     Deadline: June 30, 2023
Conferences/Workshops/Training Opportunities
green|leader - The Nation's First Localized Sustainability Certificate
    Ongoing Opportunity
Solar Energy for Economic Development (Webinar)
    June 12, 2023 | 1pm
Tennessee Recycling Coalition Annual Conference (Gatlinburg, TN)
     August 23-25, 2023
Stay tuned as we receive updates about upcoming conferences. 
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