In the realm of conservation and historical preservation, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation has bequeathed Johnsonville State Historic Park the Excellence in Resource Stewardship Award. The announcement, detailed by TDEC Commissioner David Salyers, applauds the park for its "record of achievement and service" that includes efforts ranging from significant cleanups to the discovery of historical artifacts.
Joy at the park was evident, as initiatives like the Humphreys County River Rescue, reflected their deep-seated commitment to the environment. The park, attesting to its diligence, achieved Diamond level status in TDEC's Go Green with Us program, and showcased strong community ties, collaborating with First Lady Maria Lee's Tennessee Serves program during events like National Public Lands Day, said the TDEC Commissioner. They didn't stop at cleanups; the park also hosted a workshop focused on the removal of non-native invasive species, building a more robust ecological network, according to the department's release.
Infrastructure improvements weren't sidelined either. The installation of a universal-access sidewalk to the park's pollinator garden and the refurbishment of part of the Nashville & Northwestern Military Railroad Trail are recent feathers in the park’s cap. Equally noteworthy, technology was marshaled in the service of history — ground-penetrating radar surveys brought to light a previously undocumented section of rifle pits dating back to the Civil War, deepening the tapestry of our nation's storied past.
Moreover, Johnsonville State Historic Park extends its stewardship to sacred grounds, with the park’s manager, Bob Holliday, being honored by the Tennessee Historical Commission. According to a statement obtained by TDEC, Holliday received "a Certificate of Merit from the Tennessee Historical Commission for the preservation of the African Methodist/Wyly and Reagon Cemeteries."
The Excellence in Resource Stewardship Award is part of the annual Tennessee State Parks Awards of Excellence, which, as per the published report, "recognizes a park for distinguished work in protecting, restoring, and documenting natural or cultural resources." TDEC's criteria for the award include the execution of data-informed management practices and efforts to widen stewardship capacity via partnerships. Other parks were also lauded, with Panther Creek receiving the Excellence in Amenities Award, Henry Horton the Excellence in Visitor Experience Award, and Roan Mountain the Excellence in Operations Award. The overall title of Park of the Year went to Justin P. Wilson Cumberland Trail State Park, a beacon for park enthusiasts and conservationists alike.
