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EarthSolidarity!™ Initiatives are endeavors to which anyone can contribute in deed as well as in spirit, that
- minimize waste and environmental impacts
- increase community resilience
- respect and protect ecosystem processes and all forms of life
- contribute to good living conditions for everyone around the globe
- affirm and celebrate our interdependence and interrelatedness in the Web of Life!
ORNL separates rare earth from the chaff
Membrane solvent extraction schematic. ORNL
OAK RIDGE — Caldera Holding, the owner and developer of Missouri’s Pea Ridge iron mine, has entered a nonexclusive research and development licensing agreement with Oak Ridge National Laboratory to apply a membrane solvent extraction technique, or MSX, developed by ORNL researchers to process mined ores. MSX provides a scalable, efficient way to separate rare earth elements, or REEs, from mixed mineral ores.
The MSX technology was pioneered at ORNL by researchers in the Department of Energy’s Critical Materials Innovation Hub, or CMI, led by Ames National Laboratory. The inventors, Ramesh Bhave and Syed Islam of ORNL’s Chemical Sciences Division are named in 26 inventions and five active licenses related to the recovery of REEs.
South River Watershed Alliance helps save an Atlanta river
Written by Paige R Penland
Dr. Jacqueline Echols shows off rehabbed Panola Shoals, a rustic kayak launch site that will be the beginning of South River Water Trail. Paige Penland/Hellbender Press
After years of activism, Atlanta’s South River is now a font of sustainability and fun
This article has been edited since its original publication.
ATLANTA — It has taken decades, but the once-polluted South River is now approved for fishing and recreation, and 40 navigable miles from Panola Shoals, about 30 minutes southeast of downtown Atlanta, to Lake Jackson, are being developed into the South River Water Trail for canoes and kayaks.
“This has always been an environmental justice issue,” said Dr. Jacqueline Echols, board president of the South River Watershed Alliance (SRWA) and driving force behind the cleanup.
The 60-mile South River begins in the 80-percent Black city of East Point, then runs through other predominately Black, South Atlanta communities and into Arabia Mountain Natural Heritage Area, where the Flat Rock Archives “preserves rural African-American history in Georgia.”
- south river watershed alliance
- garden & gun’s 2023 champion of conservation
- gacd 2023 urban conservationist of the year
- clean water act
- jaqueline echols
- arabia mountain natural heritage area
- flat rock archives
- south river water trail
- american rivers
- georgia conservation voters
- panola shoals
- keisha lance bottoms
- intrenchment creek
- rockdale river trail
- everett park
- environmental justice
Grayson Subaru Selects Ijams Nature Center as Hometown Charity for 2023 Subaru Share the Love Event
Ijams Nature Preschool students were the first to explore the Ijams Nature Playscape at Grayson Subaru Preserve before it opened to the public in May 2022. Customers who purchase or lease a new Subaru from Grayson Subaru Nov. 6, 2023-Jan. 2, 2024, can choose to have Subaru of America, Inc., donate $250 to Ijams as part of the 2023 Subaru Share the Love Event. Donations will be used to expand this natural play area as well as improve the Mead’s Quarry swim area. Cindy Hassil.
Starting in mid-November, getting a new car from Grayson Subaru could mean new places to play and learn at Ijams Nature Center.
Grayson Subaru has chosen the nonprofit nature center as its hometown charity for Subaru of America, Inc.’s annual Subaru Share the Love Event.
‘Where dreams go to die’ — Frozen Head State Park needs your input
Written by Melanie Mayes
Commemorative sign in Frozen Head State Park. 
Jim “Gravity” Smith — Hike with Gravity: North Bird Mountain Trail
Written comments will be accepted until Nov. 30, 2023
WARTBURG — Harvey Broome Group of the Sierra Club and Tennessee Citizens for Wilderness Planning want to encourage the public to weigh in on the proposed Tennessee State Management Plan for Frozen Head State Park & Natural Area in Morgan County.
Some of the proposed developments could drastically impact park natural resources and visitor experiences. Frozen Head hosted nearly 400,000 visitors in 2022. It is frequented by many East Tennessee residents and is an important destination tourist attraction. Importantly, it is an outstanding reservoir of biodiversity in the heart of the Cumberland Mountains.
The Management Plan states Frozen Head State Park and Natural Area mission is “to protect and preserve the unique examples of natural, cultural, and scenic resources and to save one of the last vestiges of undisturbed landscapes in the Cumberland Mountain region,” and park management is intended to “restore and maintain the diversity and integrity of the resource.”
- tennessee state management plan for frozen head state park & natural area
- frozen head state park
- tennessee citizens for wilderness planning
- melanie mayes
- harvey broome group of the sierra club
- biodiversity
- henry david thoreau
- rv park
- management plan
- public comment
- big cove campground
- rocky fork field
Cades Cove Loop Lope raises more than $110,000 to support the GSMNP
Written by Friends of the Smokies
Debi Nixon of Belton, Missouri crosses the finish line at the Cades Cove Loop Lope.
750 people from 27 states participated in the 7th Annual Cades Cove Loop Lope
On Sunday morning, Nov. 12, Friends of the Smokies hosted approximately 700 runners and walkers for the 7th Annual Cades Cove Loop Lope to support Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Through registration and sponsorships, the experience generated more than $110,000 to support a wide range of park programs including historic preservation, wildlife protection, search and rescue efforts, and Parks as Classrooms education programs.
“Experiencing Cades Cove on foot is an incredible opportunity to unplug and enjoy the splendor of the mountains, while also raising critically needed funds to support their care,” said Friends of the Smokies President Dana Soehn.
Updated: Interactive map now available of proposed Knox County Growth Policy — for Nov. 27 meeting
Written by Thomas Fraser
KNOXVILLE — Members of the Knox County Growth Policy Coordinating Committee will hold their second (but first official) public meeting on Monday, Nov. 27 to hear from the public and consider amendments to the Growth Policy Plan that dates back to 2000. The meeting will take place at 5 p.m. in the Main Assembly Room of the City County Building. (This meeting was previously scheduled for Nov. 16.)
The committee’s first of two meetings required by Tennessee State Law to change a growth policy plan had initially been announced for Oct. 24. However, when it became known that the announcement had not been published with due notice in a local newspaper to met the letter of the law, the Oct. 24 gathering was relabeled as a public information meeting only, and its agenda limited to merely provide an introductory presentation about the Advance Knox process and its proposals, with an opportunity for brief citizen statements.
Southeast highlighted in latest national climate assessment
Written by Southern Environmental Law Center
The Tennessee Valley states (TN, AL, MS) are among the most irresponsible in their languid pondering about climate change mitigation. Illustration from the 5th National Climate Assessment
Urgent investments in local solutions are needed now more than ever as climate impacts grow across the South
The 5th National Climate Assessment, released this week by the U.S. Government, reports on the current climate trends, impacts and solutions across the country. It underscores the urgency and opportunities for meaningful climate action.
This year, it includes a chapter highlighting how climate is impacting our Southeastern landscape and communities, plus what trends we can expect in the years ahead.
The report substantiates what we’ve been witnessing on the ground: Extreme heatwaves are already more common, sea level rise is encroaching into coastal communities and throughout the region, we’re seeing more flooding from increasingly unpredictable, volatile storms. According to the report, the country now sees a billion-dollar weather disaster every three weeks on average. In the 1980s, that average was every four months.
- 5th national climate assessment
- southern environmental law center
- alys campaigne
- national climate assessment
- climate change mitigation
- sea level rise
- climate emergency
- resilience
- climate leadership
- south carolina strategic statewide resilience and risk reduction plan
- climate hazard
- climate disaster
- black and brown community
- lowincome community
- vulnerable community
Enviva’s financial problems shed light on biomass energy flaws
The Impacted Communities Against Wood Pellet Coalition (ICAWP) organized the protest and says the company has been ignoring the concerns of impacted communities while receiving millions of dollars in subsidies and tax breaks from the state. ICAWP
This week Enviva, which is the world’s largest wood pellet manufacturer, saw its stock price fall by more than 90 percent from its height earlier this year following a grim financial report from the company. The company’s money problems show the massive flaws with the biomass energy industry and are due in part to the company being held accountable for its polluting pellet plants.
Enviva operates pellet plants across the South. These dirty facilities release huge amounts of air pollution, dust and fine particulates that can cause asthma and respiratory illnesses in nearby communities. The hazardous plants are often times sited near communities of color that are already overburdened with industrial pollution.
Enviva’s current financial crisis is due in part to the company being forced to internalize the environmental costs of its dirty operations, rather than pushing them off onto nearby communities. SELC, along with community partners across the region, have scored major victories against Enviva and other pellet companies, forcing them to install pollution controls and better protect people living nearby.
“Enviva’s wood pellet plants have caused long-lasting damage to communities across the South. The company’s financial problems are partially caused by communities standing up and pushing back on this dirty industry,” said Heather Hillaker, Senior Attorney for SELC.
The 2023 Mountain Commerce Challenge is almost finished, and we hope you’ve had a great time hitting the trails with us! If you haven’t reached 75 miles yet, check out these 8 Great Hikes below to help you across the finish line.
We will wrap up another great year of the Mountain Commerce Challenge on Saturday, December 9 with the Tour De Lights bike ride and celebration. We will meet at the Outdoor Knoxville Adventure Center at 4 p.m. to decorate our bikes before heading to Mary Costa Plaza for the festivities. There will be food and beverage trucks on site.
Please bring your Challenge Checklist showing 75 miles completed and you will receive a special patch to commemorate all of the great hiking, biking and paddling we accomplished this year!
Everyone who joins us for the celebration will receive a commemorative T-shirt and be entered for some exciting door prizes.
Intergenerational Playspace open in North Knox
Legacy Parks Foundation cut the ribbon on the Intergenerational Playspace at Beverly Park in North Knox County. It is the first park in the region to be purposefully designed to create active interactions between multiple generations, especially children and seniors.
“This park was made possible by our many partners that supported and funded the project,” said Carol Evans, Legacy Parks’ executive director.
Legacy Parks was awarded a $150,000 two-phase grant from the Trinity Health Foundation to research, design and create the Playspace. Additional grants and construction services provided by Knox County made the park possible
Construction continues on Lakeview Drive in GSMNP
Road will reopen with single-lane closures on Nov. 16 at 12 p.m.
GATLINBURG— Great Smoky Mountains National Park continues to rehabilitate Lakeview Drive in North Carolina through Great American Outdoor Act funding. The NPS will open Lakeview Drive to vehicles on Nov. 16 at 12 p.m., but visitors shouldplan for temporary single-lane closures andperiodic closures of some parking areas as construction is completed.
Construction crews will continue to rehabilitate parking areas, guardrails, headwalls and more over the next few weeks. Crews will complete the road rehabilitation in the spring when they place the final layer of asphalt that will provide for a smoother ride.
Hikers and visitors will be able to access the Noland Creek Trail, Lakeshore Trail, Goldmine Loop Trail, Benton MacKaye Trail, or Lakeview Drive Tunnel from the road, but may not be able to park at the closest parking lot to the trailhead. Visitors should expect to see machinery and equipment in the area until the project is complete.
Representatives from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute work together to rescue Barrens Topminnows imperiled by an exceptional drought in Nov. 2016. Tennessee Aquarium
Drought conditions threaten some of the nation’s most-endangered fish species
Casey Phillips is a communications specialist at the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga.
CHATTANOOGA — The endless parade of sunny, cloudless days in Chattanooga for the last two months may seem like the stuff of dreams to anyone planning an outdoor activity. However, this fall has turned into a blue-sky nightmare for aquatic species living in smaller creeks and streams.
“Some of those headwater pools are going to dry up, and we’ll lose large numbers of populations,” said Dr. Bernie Kuhajda, an aquatic conservation biologist at the Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute. “It just doesn’t look good for our headwater fish communities out there. They’re really getting stressed.”
Less than half an inch (0.42 inches) of rain fell in Chattanooga during a 72-day span between Aug. 30 and Nov. 9, according to meteorological data recorded at Lovell Field. That’s just 0.16 inches more than fell in Death Valley, California, during the same period, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
As of the latest weekly report by the government’s U.S. Drought Monitor, most of Hamilton County is now considered to be experiencing a D4 or “exceptional” drought, the Monitor’s most severe drought category.
Bad news for endangered fish species like the Barrens Topminnow and Laurel Dace.
AMERICA RECYCLES DAY November 15
America Recycles Day® (ARD), a Keep America Beautiful national initiative, is the only nationally-recognized day dedicated to promoting and celebrating recycling in the United States.
When: Wed. Nov. 15, 2023 / 3 – 6 pm
Where: UT Surplus/Warehousing
2111 Stephenson Dr, Knoxville, TN
ONE DAY to educate.
ONE DAY to motivate.
ONE DAY to make recycling bigger & better.
America Recycles Day by the numbers
In the past year, our hard-working volunteers and affiliates have recycled:
2,335,135+ pounds of mixed paper
1,492,898+ pounds of electronics
535,918+ pounds of beverage containers
157,958+ pounds of clothing/textiles
1,899,869+ pounds of single-stream recycling
6,056,816+ pounds of other recycled materials
And more.
In total, we’ve recycled over 16.5 million pounds of recyclables and counting.
Find out more about sponsoring an event or finding one in your area by visiting https://kab.org/our-signature-programs/america-recycles-day/ard-faq/
Tennessee developing a plan to reduce polution
Tennessee wants to prioritize a developing plan to reduce pollution causing climate warming and wants to hear from residents. A survey was created for residents to share what they wanted to see in a statewide climate pollution reduction plan. The survey closed on Nov. 15.
This planning process is being led by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) and is part of the Tennessee Volunteer Emission Reduction Strategy (TVERS), an emission reduction plan currently being developed by TDEC with support from various partners. This plan is funded through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) program, which was established in the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA).
Ela dam removal proceeds to make a river run through
Written by Erin Singer McCombs
Ela Dam on the Oconaluftee River in Cherokee. The dam is slated for removal to benefit aquatic species and the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians. Erin McCombs
Ela Dam Removal Coalition moving forward after $4 million grant from U.S. Fish and Wildlife to commence river restoration project
Erin McCombs is the Southeast Conservation Director of American Rivers.
CHEROKEE — American Rivers is working with a team on a massive effort to remove the Ela dam and restore the land and Oconaluftee River to its natural condition. Partnering with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), American Rivers is part of a coalition of federal, state, public, private, and non-profit organizations that has formed to remove the Ela dam.
Truly a village effort, the Ela Dam Coalition includes the EBCI, American Rivers, Mainspring Conservation Trust, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Southern Environmental Law Center, the Environmental Protection Agency, American Whitewater, Swain County, the Army Corps of Engineers, and Northbrook Carolina Hydro II.
“Healthy rivers are essential to all life, and removing a dam is the fastest way to restore a river’s health. We appreciate this initial investment by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the restoration of the Oconaluftee River. We look forward to working with them to leverage this investment to fully realize this project to revitalize fish and wildlife habitat and restore vital cultural connections. We are grateful to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians for their leadership, and for the partnership of Mainspring Conservation Trust,” said Tom Kiernan, American Rivers President and CEO.
Blocking the Oconaluftee River’s natural flow impacts the aquatic habitats of many native fish, mussels, birds, and other wildlife which require it for sheltering, feeding, reproducing, and thriving in their natural environment. The removal of Ela dam will result in a cultural reconnection of the Oconaluftee River to the Cherokee people and the Qualla Boundary.
The Oconaluftee River is home to 11 sensitive and rare aquatic species, some of which are only found in a few streams and rivers in western North Carolina, including the federally endangered Appalachian elktoe freshwater mussel, the Sicklefin Redhorse (NC Threatened), and Eastern Hellbender (NC Special Concern). Once complete, 549 miles of the Oconaluftee River watershed will be restored and expand habitat for these species.
- american rivers
- ela dam
- eastern band of cherokee indians
- ela dam coalition
- mainspring conservation trust
- north carolina wildlife resources commission
- us fish and wildlife service
- southern environmental law center
- oconaluftee river
- joey owle
- environmental protection agency
- american whitewater
- swain county
- army corps of engineers
- northbrook carolina hydro ii
- bryson city
- sicklefin redhorse
- eastern hellbender
- appalachian elktoe
More...
There’s now nearly 13 tons less trash on the shorelines of local waterways
Written by Kathleen Gibi
Volunteers that came out to clean Wheeler Lake of the Tennessee River in Decatur, Ala. helped to remove 4,017 lbs. of trash, nudging Keep the Tennessee River Beautiful past their 600,000 lb. milestone at the last cleanup during Keep the Tennessee River Watershed Beautiful Month in October. Keep the Tennessee River Beautiful
Volunteers collected 25,397 pounds of trash from waterways during Tennessee River Month
More than 100 volunteers who came out to participate in river cleanups to celebrate October’s ‘Keep the Tennessee River Watershed Beautiful Month presented by TVA.’ They helped Keep the Tennessee River Beautiful (KTNRB) cruise past its milestone of 600,000 pounds (or 300 tons) of trash removed from the Tennessee River watershed since it became a nonprofit. To give a physical perspective — a Boeing 747, one of the world’s largest planes weighs 300 tons — the weight of trash removed from the Tennessee River watershed.
For context of the group’s momentum: KTNRB removed 47,756 pounds of trash before putting its first boat in the water in 2019.
“We’ve come such a long way in a short window of time, and it’s all thanks to the good people who volunteer their time to protect their waterways by cleaning trash that wasn’t even theirs,” said Kathleen Gibi, KTNRB Executive Director. “This year has been full of new records broken, and the records belong to those thousands of volunteers who have made a commitment to this precious river system of ours.”
Great fish caught on Watts Bar Reservoir
Rhea County — Watts Bar Reservoir created in 1942, has remained a consistent bass fishery according to data collected over the past decades. Reservoir biologists are hopeful that a recent catch is reflective of Florida largemouth bass stocking efforts started in 2015.
Randy Miller of Spring City caught an 11.22-pound largemouth bass on the reservoir and graciously shared the photo with reservoir biologist Mike Jolley. Jolley, an employee with over three decades of professional experience, grew up on the lake and has intimate knowledge of its waters. Jolley shared, “We routinely evaluate our fisheries in reservoirs, including Watts Bar, to assess overall health of population dynamics. Some anglers have questioned the status of the bass fishery in this lake. I’m happy to share that Watts Bar has remained a consistent fishery based on long-term, routine data collection.”
What to expect at Great Smoky Mountains National Park this Veterans Day weekend
GATLINBURG — In commemoration of Veterans Day, visitors to Great Smoky Mountains National Park will not be required to purchase or display a parking tag on Saturday, Nov. 11. This will be the last fee-free day of the year at the Smokies and across the National Park Service.
Visitors who wish to buy a weekly or annual tag on Saturday may continue to do so online, in the park or at various locations in park communities. Park rangers will continue their parking enforcement efforts on fee-free days, such as issuing warnings and citations for vehicles parked in marked no-parking areas. The Smokies participated in three other fee-free days this year: National Park Week in April, the anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act in August, and National Public Lands Day in September.
On Sunday, Nov. 12, Cades Cove Loop Road will open at 11 a.m. Friends of the Smokies, the park’s philanthropic partner, is hosting the annual Cades Cove Loop Lope, a foot race that gives registered runners a chance to run a 3.1- or 10-mile loop course in Cades Cove.
The Cades Cove Loop Lope is the only organized footrace held inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park, to benefit Friends of the Smokies. All funds raised benefit park projects and programs such as historic preservation, wildlife conservation, native plant and grassland restoration, and much more.
Knox County hosts hazard mitigation plan public meeting
KNOXVILLE — Knox County Residents can participate in and provide input at an upcoming Hazard Mitigation Plan update meeting. The meeting is designed to empower community members and raise awareness about potential risks as part of the initial planning process. Community members are also invited to take part in a public survey to share insights on hazard concerns and preparedness.
The in-person public meeting will be held at 5:30pm on Wednesday, Nov. 15 at the City of Knoxville Public Works Service Center, Community Room (3131 Morris Ave. Knoxville, TN 37909). The meeting will provide an overview of the plan’s purpose and gather feedback on changes or new information that should be incorporated into the plan. Anyone unable to attend in person can join virtually or share feedback through an online form.