Tennessee's Wild Side
Tennessee's Wild Side is an Emmy award-winning outdoors show that airs on PBS in Tennessee and Kentucky. Visit our website at www.tnwildside.com.
There was a lot of talk spreading around Crossville, Tennessee when truckloads of government construction crews showed up at Cumberland Mountain State Park. Some found it hard to believe what they heard was going on inside eleven new vacation cabins being built. Finally they were finished, the doors were opened and the people in the Upper Cumberland Region could see for themselves, cabins actually powered by electricity complete with indoor plumbing. It was a remarkable, history making moment, over 70 years ago. Today, Tennessee is still on the cutting edge of technology, introducing energy efficient vacation villas at two other state parks. As Wild Side Guide Annette Nole Hall shows us there is now a new greener way to get away and relax.
It didn't take long after those first cabins were built up at Cumberland Mountain State Park for us to start taking electricity and indoor plumbing for granted. State officials believe those renting these new vacation villas will put more thought into how we use our natural resources and hopefully choose to conserve.
To find out how to rent your own green cabin, visit the Tennessee State Parks web site at www.tnstateparks.com
In 2005 Memphis businessman Peter Schutt had an idea. Why not take city kids, growing up without access to nature, and give them an opportunity to experience the great outdoors? Peter believed that getting kids outdoors would allow them to connect with nature in meaningful, life-changing ways. He shared his idea with the Tennessee Wildlife Federation and soon thereafter Great Outdoors University was born. Initially the program could only be found in Memphis, but earlier this year it expanded to Nashville. The concept may be simple, but its effects are often profound. Wild Side Guide Ken Tucker takes us to the halls of natural learning, where connections are the core curriculum. The Tennessee Wildlife Federation funds the program solely through donations, which is one of the best ways to help. The ultimate goal of the TWF is to make Great Outdoors University available to children throughout the state. Visit their website at http://www.tnwfconservation.org/great... to find out more learn how you can make a difference in the life of kids in need.
