Many of us remember looking at tree rings when we were children, counting the grooves to figure out the age of a tree. But as this year’s Urban Forestry Fellows at Rhodes College are learning, tree rings can tell us about so much more than
Last week, the Tennessee Urban Forestry Conference came to town. “Walking in Memphis: The Future of the Urban Forest” brought professionals from around the state to learn about critical issues facing the urban forest, share solutions and technologies, and develop strategies for a greener future. And as
Answer: When it’s part of ioby’s matching gift campaign–this week only! Raise your hand if you’ve ever gotten a little lost while walking in the Old Forest. Or if you’ve run several loops of the limestone trail and wanted to know how far you’ve traveled. A
“KEEP OUT.” The iron bars that greet visitors at three entrances to the Old Forest are anything but welcoming. Designed to prohibit vehicles from entering the State Natural Area, the gates accomplish something unintended as well: discouraging pedestrians and cyclists from enjoying the forest trails.
This past Saturday, several dozen park lovers joined us to review a draft of the Old Forest State Natural Area Management Plan. Drafted by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation’s State Natural Areas Division, the plan outlines a path for Overton Park Conservancy to
Lately we’ve talked a lot about what it means to manage the Old Forest: from developing a forest inventory to deciding which invasive species to tackle, working in an ecosystem like this one is a big job. That’s why we’ve been working with the Tennessee
While there’s obviously no substitute for a leisurely walk on the Old Forest Trail, one thing you definitely can’t do in the wintertime is enjoy a lush green trek through the woods…until today! Thanks to the Google Street View Trekker Loan Program, the Old Forest
Today’s Commercial Appeal puts a spotlight on the Midtown Urban Forestry Fellowship, a partnership between Overton Park Conservancy and Rhodes College to develop an inventory of the Old Forest. (Go read it if you haven’t!) The article illustrates a crucial dynamic in forest management: balancing a
The Old Forest State Natural Area is full of mysteries. Why do some large trees withstand a windstorm while others fall? How old are our oldest trees? What plants are regenerating when a big tree falls and creates a gap that lets sunshine onto the
If you’re reading this anywhere in the Southern United States, you’re bound to be familiar with kudzu. This plant, which is native to Asia, was introduced to the United States as an ornamental plant in 1876. It was distributed widely as a garden plant, as
