Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation

09/12/2026

09/11/2026

We’re celebrating excellence across Tennessee State Parks

TDEC has announced the 2026 Park Awards of Excellence:

🏆 Park of the Year: Roan Mountain State Park
After recovering from the impacts of Hurricane Helene, Roan Mountain rebounded with more than 1.4 million visitors, new recreational opportunities, expanded accessibility, enhanced exhibits and strong community partnerships.

🌿 Resource Excellence: Johnsonville State Historic Park
Johnsonville was recognized for removing 540 cubic feet of trash from the Tennessee River shoreline, restoring historic sites, documenting cemeteries and gravesites, and advancing conservation through partnerships, volunteers and grants.

😊 Visitor Excellence: Pickwick Landing State Park
Pickwick Landing was honored for its commitment to creating an outstanding visitor experience and helping guests enjoy the park’s natural resources, recreation and hospitality.

🏕️ Amenities Excellence: Pickett CCC Memorial State Park
Pickett completed extensive improvements to trails, bridges, boardwalks, historic CCC structures and accessible features—including 2,250 hours of volunteer work and projects that improved safety, recreation and interpretation.

⚙️ Operational Excellence: Panther Creek State Park
Panther Creek strengthened its systems, staff training, safety procedures, emergency response and partnerships to provide reliable, high-quality service to park visitors.

Congratulations to the dedicated park teams, volunteers and partners whose hard work helps make Tennessee State Parks exceptional places to visit, learn and enjoy the outdoors.

09/11/2026

Maintaining a golf course is about more than keeping the grass green.

At The Bear Trace at Harrison Bay, that work includes conserving water, creating wildlife habitat, reducing fuel use, and adopting new technologies that reduce environmental impacts.

Last week, TDEC welcomed state and federal legislative representatives to Harrison Bay for a look at those efforts. From robotic mowers and solar-powered equipment to 55 acres of naturalized habitat that save more than 7 million gallons of water each year.

The visit also highlighted the leadership of Paul Carter, TDEC's Director of Agronomy for the Tennessee Golf Trail and Certified Golf Course Superintendent at The Bear Trace at Harrison Bay. Carter currently serves as President of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA), helping lead the profession nationwide while bringing that expertise to Tennessee State Parks.

It's one more way TDEC is demonstrating that great recreation and environmental stewardship go hand in hand.

09/10/2026

How should Tennessee move over the next 30 years?

The Tennessee Department of Transportation (myTDOT) is updating its Statewide Long Range Transportation Plan, which will help guide transportation priorities through 2055. TDOT is seeking public input through an online survey and community engagement opportunities.

The survey includes questions about topics that matter to all Tennesseans, including:
🚗 Reducing traffic congestion and emissions
🌿 Protecting Tennessee's natural environment
⚡ Alternative fuel vehicles
🚌 Transportation demand and future mobility

If you care about how transportation, conservation, and quality of life intersect in Tennessee, this is a great opportunity to share your perspective.

Take the survey and learn more: https://publicinput.com/lrtp2026

09/09/2026

Congratulations to TDEC's Elaine Boyd on receiving the 2026 ECOS Special Recognition Award for Outstanding Leadership in Strategic Planning, Budget and Management!

Presented by the Environmental Council of the States (ECOS), this annual award recognizes a state agency professional whose long-term dedication has advanced the organization's mission and priorities.

As ECOS President and Oregon Department of Environmental Quality Director Leah Feldon shared during the presentation:

"Elaine has delivered consistent gold star work as a member of the Budget and Management Committee. She always sets the bar."

We're proud to see Elaine's leadership recognized on a national stage. Congratulations on this well-deserved honor!

09/09/2026

Apartment and condo communities across Tennessee may now be eligible for rebates to install Level 2 electric vehicle charging stations.

TDEC's new Multifamily Housing Rebate Program makes $650,000 available to help eligible property owners, managers, HOAs, and authorized lessees add EV charging infrastructure for residents.

Making charging more accessible helps meet the growing needs of Tennesseans while supporting cleaner transportation options across the state.

Learn more in the link in the comments.

09/08/2026

Tennessee State Parks protect more than our natural treasures, they also help preserve the traditions that make Tennessee unique.

For more than 40 years, Standing Stone State Park has hosted the The National Rolley Hole Marbles Championships, helping keep a generations-old Tennessee folk tradition alive while introducing it to new generations.

On Sept. 19, the world's best rolley hole players return for a day of competition, live music, marble making, and family fun.

Conservation isn't only about protecting landscapes. It's also about preserving the traditions that connect people to those places.

09/02/2026

Opening a new state park takes more than a vision, it takes a team.

The grand opening of Clinch River Valley State Park celebrates years of work by Tennessee State Parks staff, community leaders, partners and many others who helped turn an idea into a place Tennesseans can enjoy for generations.

From planning to construction and everything behind the scenes, countless hands helped bring Tennessee’s newest state park to life. Welcome to Clinch River Valley State Park! 🌿

Click the link below to access this video with descriptive audio by using the video settings, clicking "audio track", and selecting "English Descriptive.": https://youtu.be/1pSAHKzhm0w

09/01/2026

Tennessee is making history in clean energy.

TDEC’s Division of Radiological Health has issued the nation’s first license under a new regulatory framework specifically for nuclear fusion machines. The license was issued to Knoxville-based Type One Energy for Project Infinity, its planned fusion project at TVA’s Bull Run Energy Complex in Clinton.

The milestone establishes clear health and safety requirements while helping prepare Tennessee for the next generation of clean energy technology.

08/28/2026

Curious about Tennessee’s past?

Join TDEC’s Tennessee Division of Archaeology on September 12, 2026, at the Tennessee State Library & Archives in Nashville for the Current Research in Tennessee Archaeology conference.

This free, day-long event is open to everyone and highlights the latest archaeological research happening across the state. Attendees will hear from archaeologists and students as they share new discoveries, ongoing research and insights into Tennessee’s history.

Whether you’re a student, professional, history enthusiast or simply curious, CRITA is a great opportunity to learn more about the people, places and stories that shaped Tennessee.

View the full schedule and details: https://www.tn.gov/environment/program-areas/archaeology/crita/crita-2026.html