Discover with Nature

Last year while visiting the Appalachians on a Discover with Nature trip, I was moved and inspired to learn about the work of our Tennessee chapter at Doe Mountain from Gabby Lynch, Tennessee Director of Protection. Looking northward within the same system, nestled in the heart of New York, the Adirondacks emerge as a picturesque tapestry woven with verdant forests, pristine waters and a community deeply rooted in the land. But more than that, the Adirondacks stand not just as a scenic retreat but as a beacon of hope, a place where the future is shaped by those who value the past and work tirelessly to forge a sustainable path forward.

In my time in Tennessee, I was struck by how connected I felt—not only to our The Nature Conservancy (TNC) projects and work but to all of us. At TNC we have a host of voices, ideas, tools and people all working toward the same bright future for our earth and the global community. We are collectively charting a path to create a more sustainable future and conserve the earth and its resources for future generations. We built our next round of Discover with Nature trips in the spirit of that connectedness. 

In 2025, you will have an opportunity to embark on an unforgettable journey to the Adirondacks, where the tranquility of Follensby Pond comes alive through TNC’s conservation efforts. Experience the harmony of nature and community as you explore these cherished landscapes, meticulously preserved for adventure and inspiration. 

It’s the last month of the year and we’re entering that season of gratitude and reflection. I can’t write my end-of-year list without spending some time thinking about everything that travel has done for me this year. While I took a few trips that were vacations, I definitely have to include some work-related travel, notably my latest excursion.

While I was in the south to attend the Tennessee Discover with Nature trip in October and early November, I was able to build in a visit to see my parents. They’re on the opposite corner of the country from me, so it was important to spend time with them while proximity allowed. As a special bonus, I also had dinner with my cousin whom I rarely get to see anymore now that our grandparents have passed. Having lived in Tennessee for many years, he was excited to hear my stories from the trip and understood my awe at being in the Great Smoky Mountains for the first time. He appreciated learning about the various ecosystems at the different elevations of the mountains, as well as all of the firefly facts that I learned from TNC Trustee and firefly expert, Lynn Faust.

The part of the journey that was the most meaningful for me was our visit to the Doe Mountain Recreation Area, one of the largest remaining privately owned blocks of forest in the Southern Blue Ridge region of Tennessee. I hadn’t quite known what to expect before the trip and wasn’t sure how I felt about off-road vehicles, which are popular at this recreational destination. Off-roading felt like something out of my comfort zone at first, but I enjoyed every minute of it. The biggest takeaway for me was learning the story of why TNC was involved with the Recreation Area in the first place. Isn’t it weird that we’re involved with a place where people bring 4-wheelers to drive around? It felt almost the opposite of how our project sites are supposed to feel, or so I thought. But when TNC was asked to get involved with buying and protecting this land, everyone stepped back and thought about the community surrounding the land. If TNC purchased it and turned it into a preserve with no public access, it would not benefit the folks who live there. And this is Appalachia. If you’ve read the latest Barbara Kingsolver, Demon Copperhead, then you know.

So, TNC decided their purpose for being involved with the land needed to be one that benefited the community. They formed the Recreation Area to bring tourism into the community to stimulate the economy. The Recreation Area would bring families in and create the need for campgrounds. And those families would then go out for dinners and stops at the ice cream shop. Providing for people is a huge part of our 2030 goals. I’ve read this, and I’ve heard other stories about the impact of our work, but this was the first time I visited a project that directly affects the lives of the surrounding community. It was profoundly moving, evoking thoughts about how it could have easily been my grandparents at the base of the mountain.

We also visited a cranberry bog, a creek that is being restored for the protection of tens and twenties of species of fish within and, of course, Great Smoky Mountain National Park.