Additional information on all TCWP activities may be obtained from TCWP Executive Director Sandra K. Goss at Sandra@sandrakgoss.com or at (865) 583-3967.
TCWP’s Guidelines for Activities during the COVID-19 Pandemic
In an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19, TCWP will be conducting its activities following CDC guidelines.
- We ask that you not participate if you are sick or were recently exposed to someone who is.
- We will practice social distancing, maintaining at least 6 feet of separation between participants. This will limit the amount of interpretation that can be done.
- We will organize activities into groups of 10 or fewer.
- We recommend that you bring a mask and wear it when around others.
- We recommend that you bring hand sanitizer or other ways to wash your hands.
- We recommend that everyone bring their own water, lunch, snacks, and sunscreen.
- We recommend caravanning to activities instead of carpooling.
- Keep in mind that restrooms may be unavailable at activity locations.
- Activities are subject to change or cancellation as we monitor and react to local, state, and federal data and guidelines.
Thank you for your patience while we work through ways to serve our community.
Back in August DOE issued a Public Notice announcing the availability of an Environmental Assessment Addendum for Horizon Center. The EA-Addendum proposes to remove site protections from approximately 58 acres of the Horizon Center Exclusion Areas so they can be developed for a proposed motor speedway at Horizon Center. The affected areas have been protected as natural areas since 1996 when DOE first proposed leasing, and then transferring the Horizon Center property to CROET. The three exclusion areas include approximately 11 acres of Beech-Maple Forest (the only forest of its type on the Oak Ridge Reservation), approximately 23 acres between development areas 5 and 6, and approximately 24 acres between development areas 6 and 7. The comment period for public comments on the proposed land use changes ends on October 21.
To help members of the public better understand the importance of these three parts of the Horizon Center natural area, TCWP will host a hike to explore and get familiar with these three areas. The trip leaders include people thoroughly familiar with these areas and their ecological significance. The hike will cover approximately 3 miles of moderately difficult terrain. Part of the hike will include a portion of the East Fork Road section of the North Boundary Greenway but much of it will require walking cross country in somewhat overgrown vegetation. Participants should wear long pants, sturdy footwear, and bring tick repellant and plenty of water and snacks or lunch.
We will meet at 9 AM at the parking lot in front of Gold’s Gym and caravan to the starting point at the southwestern end of Renovare Boulevard at Horizon Center. The hike will begin at 9:30 AM and end around noon. Depending on the number of people who participate we will break up into groups of 10 or less and practice safe-distancing and other measures for COVID-a9 protection. All participants are required to wear masks to prevent exposure to others. For more information please contact trip coordinator Jimmy Groton at 865-805-9908 or groton87@comcast.net.
This event is co-sponsored by Advocates for the Oak Ridge Reservation and OR4RD.
Meet at Clark Center Park boat ramp area and either bring or rent canoe or kayak from Adventures Outdoors at 9:00 am. Paddle across to islands and inlets and upstream a ways to Freels Bend Cabin and back. Pick up trash along the way (put in a couple of canoes) Enjoy birds, shoreline wildflowers and scenery. Wear swimming attire just in case…. Wear sunscreen and sun protection. Life preservers required for all participants.
For those interested in renting a watercraft please reserve through Www.Adventuresoutdoors.com. Rental canoes cost $39 for 3 hours and Kayaks $34. A boat trailer will be available to transport rented watercraft to Clark Center Park. Please complete rental arrangements by 8:30.
Please register for the trip with Sandra Goss at Sandra@sandrakgoss.com or 865-805-1470 or Tim Bigelow at (865) 607-6781 or via email at Bigelowt2@mindspring.com.
Pre-registration by Thursday October 8 is requested.
This activity will be conducted to protect participants from the COVID-19 virus. This event may have to be reconsidered
Due to COVID-19 concerns, this year’s annual meeting will be an electronic meeting, with Bobby Wilson, the new director of the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency, as our keynote speaker. Following his remarks, a business meeting will be held, including the election of 2021 TCWP board members and officers. The meeting will be available on Facebook, Zoom or telephone.
Register to join us on Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/3616008690478/WN_-niJR5bCTguRvlA-I6FHgg
