50th Anniversary of the Natural Areas Preservation Act Hikes

May 1st, 2021 was a great day as we celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Natural Areas Preservation Act across the State of Tennessee. Although May 4th marks the enactment of the Natural Areas Preservation Act, hikes were held across the state today including two hikes at Radnor Lake State Natural Area. Thank you to our friend Director Roger McCoy and the Tennessee Division of Natural Areas Staff for organizing these statewide hikes for visitors across the state to have a unique hiking experience in honor of this special day!

The Natural Areas Preservation Act was passed in 1971 and has preserved nearly 130,000 acres of pristine forests, vistas, undisturbed wetlands, grasslands, barrens, and glades across Tennessee. The signing of the Natural Areas Preservation Act in 1971 was a pivotal moment in the effort to “Save Radnor Lake”. Just 2 years later Radnor Lake was saved from a 200+ residential development and became one of our Tennessee State Natural Areas under Governor Dunn’s administration.

As part of those statewide hikes offered on Saturday, May 1st Radnor Lake State Natural Area offered two hiking opportunities for visitors to attend:

• 7am beginning birding hike led by our friend John Froeschauer with over 40 species of birds seen during this 2 hour hike.
• 2pm Barbara J. Mapp Aviary Education Center Tour led by SIR Jack Foresman.

Thank you to everyone who attended one of our hikes on Saturday May 1st and thank you Governor Winfield Dunn as we celebrate (May 4th) this conservation milestone in Tennessee!