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Weed Wrangle Chattanooga 2018
March 3, 2018
The Tennessee Valley Chapter of Wild Ones is an organization for those interested in landscaping with native plants. We present guest speakers in educational programs throughout the year, as well as an annual native plant symposium in early spring; these programs are open to the public. Additional programs for members-only include field trips, regional hikes, visits to members’ gardens (“Landscapes in Progress”), social events and meetings.
The Tennessee Valley Chapter was chartered as a Wild Ones chapter in June 2012. The group had existed previously as a special interest group of the Master Gardeners of Hamilton County but needed a more permanent organization home and found the Wild Ones organization with its national infrastructure and superbly complementary mission.
WILD ONES: NATIVE PLANTS. NATURAL LANDSCAPES is a national non-profit organization with over 50 chapters in 15 states that promotes environmentally sound landscaping practices to preserve biodiversity through the preservation, restoration and establishment of native plant communities.
Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center, an outdoor adventure destination, bridges the gap between hectic, indoor-oriented lifestyles and the land, plants, and wildlife surrounding us. It is a natural haven for plants and animals and an environment where all people can visit and find their place in the natural world.
There are 317 acres to explore with hiking trails through landscape and wilderness, the Reflection Riding Loop to drive and cycle, a Blue Way connection through Lookout Creek to paddle, and our Wildlife Wonderland of native animals.
We’ve had more than 30 years to develop our resources for teachers and students—creating fun, interactive programs to help meet state and county science standards and benchmarks. Whether hiking up Lookout Mountain or exploring a pond, students return to the classroom with indelible memories. Adults can continue learning and engaging with nature here through our School of the Field and Woods, full of mind-provoking lecture series, health-oriented activities such as yoga and hiking, and continuing education opportunities like our new Certificate of Native Plants program.
We encourage you to branch out and discover your world—it’s an amazing, beautiful place.
Contact our Volunteer Department for additional information by email at volunteer@reflectionriding.org or call 423-821-1160 ext. 105.
Chattanooga Audubon Society
The oldest conservancy organization in the Chattanooga Area, the Chattanooga Audubon Society protects over 500 acres on three sanctuaries across Hamilton County. Audubon Acres in East Brainerd offers more than 5 miles of hiking trails over 130 acres on South Chickamauga Creek along with abundant opportunities for picnicking, wildlife viewing, and photography. Tubing, swimming, canoeing, and kayaking are also permitted during the summer months. The visitor center houses a small gift shop and archeological museum. Also on the property are the historic Spring Frog Cabin, a “Trail of Tears” site and the birthplace of Robert Sparks Walker, and Little Owl Village, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Tools will be provided, but please bring your own if you wish. Please wear long pants and close-toed shoes. Bring gloves if you have them.
Join us on March 3, 2018 from 9am-12pm to clear privet and other invasives from this natural treasure. To volunteer go to https://ihelpchattanooga.galaxydigital.com/need/detail/?need_id=322367
Cherokee Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is a national, member-supported environmental organization that seeks to influence public policy in Washington D.C., in the state capitals, and locally through public education and grass-roots political action.
As one of five Groups within the Tennessee Chapter of the Sierra Club, the Cherokee Group is based in Chattanooga and represents Bledsoe, Bradley, Franklin, Hamilton, Marion, Meigs, McMinn, Polk, Rhea and Sequatchie counties in Southeast Tennessee. Our mission is to explore, enjoy and protect the planet for our families and our future. We speak for the trees!
We are committed to welcoming all members of the community. We offer year-round outings, monthly informative programs that range from experts in environmental issues to entertaining speakers who have explored our world. Join us in tackling important local and regional conservation issues
Renaissance Park
Weed Wrangle®, is a one-day, citywide, volunteer effort to help rescue our public parks and green spaces from invasive species through hands-on removal of especially harmful trees, vines and flowering plants, such as honeysuckle, Chinese privet, English ivy, and kudzu.
Renaissance Park is part of the downtown Riverparks system and has walking paths through wooded areas that are being invaded by unwanted plants. Supervised by experts in invasive weed management, Weed Wrangle®-volunteers will learn, practice, and begin a habit of maintaining an area free of invasive plants.
All tools will be provided. Please wear long pants and close-toed shoes. Bring gloves if you have them.
To volunteer go to https://ihelpchattanooga.galaxydigital.com/need/detail/?need_id=3223
South Chickamauga Creek Greenway
Come learn about and help clear invasive privet along the South Chickamauga Creek Greenway. 9 miles of trail wind through a mix of landscapes, including parks, commercial areas, and residential neighborhoods. We’ll be working in the section closest to the TN Riverwalk, which opened to the public two years ago. Focusing on privet removal will make way for more native trees and plants to thrive along this creek corridor. All tools and instruction will be provided. Please wear long pants and close-toed shoes. Bring gloves if you have them and a water bottle. We will be working on uneven terrain.
Trust for Public Land and City of Chattanooga are hosting this event. Register here: https://ihelpchattanooga.galaxydigital.com/need/detail/?need_id=322373
The Chattanooga Park Stewards Volunteer Program
The Chattanooga Park Stewards Volunteer Program’s mission is to significantly improve the environmental and aesthetic quality of our parks and greenways by organizing and promoting volunteerism and stewardship.
Volunteers are a valuable asset to the Parks Division – providing time, talent, and resources to help ensure the health of the park system. The Park Volunteers program also provides an opportunity to educate park visitors and citizens on the importance of stewardship of our parks. Park stewardship is key to guaranteeing that our parks, trails, and greenways will remain safe and clean and be enjoyed for years to come.
Example volunteer tasks include:
- Picking up litter, limbs, and debris.
- Light landscaping, such as pulling weeds and adding mulch.
- Cleaning and painting benches, picnic tables, and signs.
- Removing vegetation on walking paths.
- Reporting maintenance needs.
Volunteer Opportunities
Chattanooga Parks volunteers assist with the upkeep of our parks through a variety of opportunities, from litter pick up to invasive species removal. Find one to suit your interests and skills!
Park Stewards
Assist with light maintenance activities and observe and report park condition.
Trail Stewards
Assist with light maintenance activities and observe and report trail conditions along our greenways, Stringers Ridge trails, or the TN Riverwalk.
Urban Eco Stewards
Assist with the upkeep and improvement of the environmental assets of the Chattanooga Parks system, such as rain gardens and natural areas
Lead Stewards
Support the Parks Outreach Coordinator by assisting with volunteer event days, outreach at community events, and park user customer service. Lead Stewards will need to first complete a year in the Park Steward, Trail Steward, or Eco Steward capacity and commit to 40 hrs per year.
The Weed Wrangle® started by The Garden Club of Nashville in 2015, expanded to the Knoxville Garden Club, Garden Club of Lookout Mountain, Memphis Garden Club, and The Little Garden Club of Memphis in 2016. All clubs are members of The Garden Club of America and participants in the GCA Partners for Plants program.
