Oak Ridge Today

North Ridge Trail the focus of National Trails Day on Saturday

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Tennessee Citizens for Wilderness Planning Logo

Tennessee Citizens for Wilderness Planning Logo

 

North Ridge Trail Stewards will have a celebration/workday effort scheduled for Saturday, June 3. That day is National Trails Day, which was established by the American Hiking Society.

The North Ridge Trail was built many years ago by Tennessee Citizens for Wilderness Planning, and is currently stewarded by Ray and Jo Ann Garrett, a press release said.

The event, which is open to the public, will feature an invasive plant removal session on North Ridge Trail accesses. Participants are asked to meet at the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge at 9 a.m. and to wear sturdy shoes and bring bug spray, sunscreen, water, and a hoe, mattock, or lopper if available.

A pizza lunch will be provided around noon. For more information about this event call Sandra K. Goss, TCWP Executive Director, at (865) 583-3967 or write [email protected].

North Ridge Trail maintenance scheduled for Saturday, June 6

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Ray and Jo Ann Garrett appointed trail stewards

New North Ridge Trail Stewards Ray and JoAnn Garrett have announced that the annual North Ridge Trail/National Trails Day maintenance event will focus on the west portion of the trail, west of Illinois Avenue.

Volunteers should meet at the Garretts’ home at 101 Windham (just off West Outer Drive) at 9 a.m. on Saturday, June 6, a press release said.

Oak Ridge leaders JoAnn and Ray Garrett, who are longtime members of Tennessee Citizens for Wilderness Planning, agreed last month to co-steward the North Ridge Trail.

“They are filling the big shoes of out-going Trail Steward Susan Donnelly, who is stepping down due to increased work and life commitments,” the TCWP press release said. [Read more…]

Ecologist, community leader receives Rotary Club Vocational Service Award

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Chuck Coutant

Chuck Coutant

Chuck Coutant, a retired Oak Ridge National Laboratory fish biologist and active community leader for more than 40 years, recently received the Vocational Service Award of the Rotary Club of Oak Ridge at the club’s noon luncheon meeting at the DoubleTree Hotel.

A native of upstate New York and resident of Oak Ridge since 1970, Coutant was recognized for his leadership in the community in environmental and cultural activities, his excellence as an Oak Ridge National Laboratory scientist, and his influence on national and international environmental policies.

Currently, Coutant is a consultant to power companies for environmental evaluation of cooling systems and is president of Friends of ORNL. [Read more…]