Four county locales added to Cumberland Plateau Nature Viewing Trail

Four Cumberland County sites have been selected for inclusion on the Cumberland Plateau Nature Viewing Trail.

Black Mountain, the Catoosa Wildlife Management Area, Cumberland Mountain State Park and the Obed River Park Arboretum were selected by the Alliance for the Cumberlands during the third annual conference held Feb. 25 at Cumberland Mountain State Park.

More than 75 sites within the 25 counties of the Cumberland Plateau region were nominated for inclusion in the project, and only 48 were selected. Fermata Inc., a nature tourism consulting group, evaluated the sites for the Alliance, subjecting each to a rigorous set of assessment criteria including aesthetics, appeal, significance, safety and presence of cultural and historic assets. The firm provides expertise in developing and marketing similar trails across the United States, including the North Alabama Birding Trail.

Inclusion in the Cumberland Plateau Nature Viewing Trail will promote visitation to Crossville and Cumberland County and increase awareness of the unique resources available on the Plateau. Pepe Perron, Cumberland County Convention and Visitors Bureau chair, said, "Working together to market the whole region of the Cumberland Plateau just makes good sense. It will be good for our sites and good for Cumberland County."

The Alliance for the Cumberlands, a nonprofit coalition of more than 50 member groups dedicated to the ecological and economic sustainability of the Cumberland Plateau region, began the effort to create a self-guided tour of the best nature viewing sites last year. With funding from the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation RTP Education Fund, the Alliance was able to hire Fermata and begin the process of designing the trail.

Executive Director Katherine Medlock said, "We are excited the project is moving along because we feel that it will be beneficial for the whole region, creating a model for eco and heritage tourism."

Black Mountain, in Crab Orchard off Interstate 40 exit 329, boasts some of the county's most breath-taking views. The elevation ranges from 800 to 2,800 feet and most of the area is open to the public for hiking, biking and ATV riding. Black Mountain is also part of the Cumberland Trail, which is more than 380 miles in length.

The Catoosa Wildlife Management Area, with 79,900 acres, is the largest tract of land managed by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. Visitors and area residents take advantage of the beautiful natural scenery, flowing creek streams and a variety of wildlife that the Catoosa Wildlife Management Area houses.

Cumberland Mountain State Park includes 1,720 acres and hosts many activities for families throughout the year, including swimming, hiking and camping. With the scenic beauty of the park, visitors and local residents enjoy each distinct season. The heart of the Cumberland Trail is in Cumberland Mountain State Park.

The Obed River Park Arboretum is a Class I Arboretum and is featured along the course of the paved trail adjacent to the Obed River. The trail is great for walkers, runners, skating and biking and features two bridges, two historical markers, views of the scenic Obed River and many plant varieties, trees and wildflowers. Obed River Arboretum also has many native species of trees that have identification markers and a butterfly garden during the summer months. The trail has Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant entrances, as well as restroom and picnic facilities. The park is open year round during daylight hours.

The unveiling of the included sites was made during the third annual conference of the Alliance for the Cumberlands, which featured numerous speakers and presentations, including a joint keynote address from Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Commissioner Jim Fyke and Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Administrator Dan Hawk. The focus of the conference was on the beneficial relationship between natural resource conservation and economic development.

Medlock thanked Beth Alexander and the Crossville-Cumberland County Chamber of Commerce.

"The day was a great success. We couldn't have done it without your support," Medlock said.

For more information on the Alliance for the Cumberlands, contact Medlock at (865) 546-5998.

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