Forest Service Funded Outdoor Classroom Recognized by Tennessee Wildlife Federation

by Patty Matteson, SRS Science Delivery  • 
Committee members accepting award. From left to right: Terry Lewis, Board Chairman, Tennessee Wildlife Federation (TWF); Erich Henry, Director of Conservation, Blount County; Jeff Wadley, Environmental Educator; Billy Minser, Professor Emeritus, University of Tennessee; J.T. Vogt, U.S. Forest Service; and Sam Marshall, Tennessee Department of Agriculture. Photo by Mark Johnson, Communications Director, TWF.
Committee members accepting award. From left to right: Terry Lewis, Board Chairman, Tennessee Wildlife Federation (TWF); Erich Henry, Director of Conservation, Blount County; Jeff Wadley, Environmental Educator; Billy Minser, Professor Emeritus, University of Tennessee; J.T. Vogt, U.S. Forest Service; and Sam Marshall, Tennessee Department of Agriculture. Photo by Mark Johnson, Communications Director, TWF.

Just steps away from their school, 1,400 students and their teachers at Carpenters Elementary can hunt for crayfish, listen to birds sing, identify trees, and gather plants. Helping children learn about the forest and the importance of natural areas is the premise behind the development of a 16-acre outdoor classroom next to the school in Blount County, Tennessee. The Tennessee Wildlife Federation recently recognized this project with a Conservation Organization of the Year for Outstanding Achievement award.

“These awards celebrate individuals and organizations that have made truly meaningful contributions to conservation in our state,” said Michael Butler, the Federation’s chief executive officer. “Looking across our history, you can see today’s winners building upon the great work of the ones who came before them, and we are proud to honor their contributions.”

Funding from a U.S. Forest Service grant is being used to install a kiosk and interpretive signage along the nature trail and wetlands according to James T. Vogt, deputy program manager with the Forest Service Southern Research Station Forest Inventory and Analysis unit. Twelve teaching sites have been created along the trail, and a 1.4-mile graveled, handicap-accessible loop trail connects the sites. The outdoor environmental classroom will be a draw for students from Blount and surrounding counties.

Learn more about the Carpenters Elementary Outdoor Environmental Classroom.

Adapted from a Tennessee Wildlife Federation news release.

For more information, email J.T. Vogt at jtvogt@fs.fed.us.

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