Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge were voted favorites in Southern Living's 'South's Best Awards,' celebrated in the magazine's double issue featuring the McConaugheys. Dollywood earned recognition for its charm and unique Southern experience.

The Nashville Zoo hosts "Sips For Species," a conservation fundraiser offering unlimited drinks and a chance to meet animals, aiming to surpass last year's $17,000.

Nashville anticipates full cherry blossom bloom next week, with Yoshino and Okame varieties set for a vibrant display against the city's microclimate.

Tennessee's Wildlife Resources Agency will present the 2024-25 hunting and trapping season proposals at the upcoming commission meeting, with talks to include management areas, furbearer season, and raptor take for falconry.

A rare fanaloka pup was born at the Nashville Zoo on March 10, marking a significant occasion for the conservation of this vulnerable species from Madagascar.

Nashville Zoo celebrated the birth of four Nigerian dwarf goats, named after a local hockey star, entrancing visitors with their charm and mild temperament.

Cordell Hull Birthplace State Park hosts 'Historic Market Day' on May 4, featuring 19th-century farm life activities, crafts, and games free of charge, with special school sessions available on May 3.

The Nashville Zoo announced the birth of Helios, a critically endangered red ruffed lemur, emphasizing the importance of each birth for the species' survival.

A shooting at a Memphis block party results in two deaths, spurring city officials to consider revising park rental permits, while community activists call for reclaiming their neighborhood.

The new Central Dog Park opened in Nashville beside the expanded Central Water Reclamation Facility, featuring green space and community amenities, heralded by Mayor O'Connell and local officials.

Mayor O'Connell of Nashville has signed an executive order to expand the city's tree canopy, aligning with National Arbor Day and addressing the impact of ongoing construction.

Trillions of periodical cicadas are set to emerge across the U.S. in 2024, with residents reporting high noise levels that confuse some into calling the police.

Fall Creek Falls State Park is planning to restore the park's ecology after storm damage. This will involve cleanups, managing timber, and strategies like burns and planting pollinator-friendly seeds, with details to be shared at a May 9 open house.

Dollywood is named the top global attraction people most want to return to, with a comeback score of 94/100, according to InsureandGo's analysis of online reviews.

The Nashville Zoo awaits the bloom of a corpse flower, known for its foul scent. The plant, called Zeus, is on loan from Austin Peay State University after storm damage.

Nashville celebrates July as Parks and Recreation Month with activities emphasizing community and inclusion, supported by Mayor O'Connell and Metro Parks.

The Nashville Zoo introduced six skunk kits named after cheeses, to be part of their educational programs. These kits, alongside adult skunks, will teach visitors about skunks' ecological roles and correct misconceptions.

Brentwood's Deerwood and John P. Holt Brentwood Library Arboreta have been re-certified by the Tennessee Urban Forestry Council, showcasing the community's commitment to tree preservation and biodiversity.

Tennessee offers a Free Hunting Day on August 24, permitting state residents to hunt without a license, in line with the start of squirrel season and efforts to encourage hunting participation.

Tennessee State Parks launches a program introducing outdoor basics to beginners, starting September 7 with free sessions at Pickwick Landing State Park.

The TDEC in Tennessee is allocating $2.6 million in federal RTP grants to enhance parks and trails in eight communities, fostering outdoor recreation and local economies.

The Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park will host the Tennessee Timeline event, featuring living history exhibits from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, free of charge.

Nashville's MNPD is increasing security for New Year's Eve, focusing on the Bicentennial Mall event with performers like Jelly Roll and Keith Urban. Transparent bags are mandatory inside the venue, while road closures will affect surrounding areas.

TWRA announces application dates (Feb 5-26) for Tennessee Elk Quota Hunts, with 17 permits available plus one for youth and another auctioned for conservation funds.

Brentwood's Windy Hill Park, a former makeshift airport, will soon feature aviation-themed attractions, including a playground and mural, preserving its history as Windy Hill Airport.

Clarksville starts planting trees along Spring Creek Parkway in an aesthetic and practical initiative to create a natural barrier and enhance the area's beauty.

The Nashville Zoo announced the birth of a red river hog piglet named Chive, born unexpectedly to mother Tater. Initially found weak, Chive is recovering and being hand-reared to become an ambassador for wildlife conservation.

Tennessee's spring turkey hunting season ended with a harvest of 29,037 birds, an 8% decrease from 2024 and 13% below the five-year average, partly due to poor weather and low turkey reproduction in 2023.

Henry Horton State Park in Tennessee introduces a new accessible 1.5-mile greenway with amenities exploring local ecosystem and history, funded by environmental grants and in-kind labor.

Cookeville breaks ground on new park amenities, including a splash pad, playground, and parking lot, with the project based on community feedback and expected to be complete by Spring 2026.

Tennessee's Free Hunting Day on August 23, 2025, coincides with squirrel season opening and permits hunting without a license, while maintaining regular hunting regulations.

Tennessee State Parks introduced new paddling launches to aid adventures with disabilities, adding to previously equipped parks and enhancing overall accessibility.

New regulations in Tennessee will require a Deer Bait Privilege License starting August 1, 2026, costing $50 for residents. Drones for deer recovery await TWRA's finalized rules.

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency announced the 2025 muzzleloader and archery deer season starting Nov. 8 with varied bag limits across different units.

CWD, a fatal neurological disorder in deer, has been detected in Decatur County, Tennessee, with hunters urged to follow regulations and submit deer for testing.

The TWRA has issued guidelines for handling game birds due to HPAI concerns, advising hunters on safety, disinfection, and urging public reporting of bird mortality.

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) was detected in a road-killed deer in Wayne County, Tennessee, prompting the TWRA to enforce existing carcass transport and wildlife feeding restrictions and maintain current hunting regulations.

Henry Horton State Park won the Excellence in Visitor Experience Award for enhancing accessibility and services, and is planning further improvements with a $7 million budget. Other parks also received awards for various achievements.

Neighbors along the old Knoxville & Holston River corridor say a 3.8‑mile SoKno rail‑trail could bring privacy, noise and parking headaches as crews clear the line and litigation continues.

Knoxville's Tennessee Amphitheater is closed for a major overhaul that will replace the tensile roof and update lighting, electrical and drainage systems. The venue is expected back in March 2027.

A ceremony this Thursday will kick off phase one of Fort Negley’s master plan, remaking the Greer Stadium footprint into meadows, a memorial lawn and improved access.

A Davidson County judge has heard final arguments over a plan to reopen a Monsanto‑era landfill near the Duck River. The ruling could determine whether the project returns to local review or remains tied up in court.

Smyrna is seeking public input on a proposed $6 million renovation of Rotary Soccer Park as it pursues a TDEC grant; a public meeting is set for March 17.

New Prospect Presbyterian Church is donating its building and about 15 acres to Ijams Nature Center as the congregation prepares to close, expanding protected greenspace in South Knoxville.

Austin Peay’s grasslands institute won a $10M grant to rebuild about 2,500 acres across Middle Tennessee, including a major makeover at Nashville's Shelby Bottoms.

A proposal to pave a short connector at Shelby Bottoms Nature Center has prompted a petition and neighborhood pushback. Residents say the unpaved loop is vital habitat and quiet space.

A new elevated greenway bridge and riverfront upgrades were unveiled at Ascend Amphitheater, promising year‑round access and management‑led improvements.

Utility crews recently trimmed large oaks along the Park Plaza at Centennial Park, drawing alarm from the conservancy and raising coordination questions with Metro Parks. The cuts have complicated a long‑planned revitalization on the park’s north edge.