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Tennessee State Parks will join First Lady Maria Lee’s Tennessee Serves initiative Sept. 19-29 with volunteer work events at parks across the state. The volunteer opportunities coincide with National Public Lands Day on Saturday, Sept. 28.

Through Tennessee Serves, the First Lady invites Tennesseans to join her efforts to transform the state through service. Each month, a service challenge is presented to encourage Tennesseans to roll up their sleeves and serve communities, and September’s challenge is serving Tennessee State Parks.

Gov. Bill Lee has issued a proclamation declaring September as Conservation Month.

The First Lady will serve in person at events on Sept. 19 at Roan Mountain State Park and Sept. 26 at Johnsonville State Historic Park. Roan Mountain State Park celebrates the day with work on a native garden restoration project at the historic Miller Farmstead, removing invasive plants along the Doe River and Moonshiners Run Trail. At Johnsonville State Historic Park, volunteers will board boats and buses to clear trash from the shores of Trace Creek, which was severely impacted by debris from the 2021 Humphreys County Flood. 

Tennessee Serves activities at other parks include such tasks as trail cleanup, garbage pickup, and removing invasive species. Additional projects include helping Cove Lake State Park build a .25-mile trail to the historic Wheeler Cemetery; working on native flower garden beds at Big Cypress Tree State Park; helping to establish a foot bridge at Rock Island State Park; and working on a chestnut grove at Bledsoe Creek State Park.

Tennessee Serves Day at Sycamore Shoals State Park will consist of a mulching party on Sept. 28 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. Volunteers will work to stabilize the slope behind the amphitheater.

Mulching will help prevent erosion and support the health of the surrounding vegetation. Volunteers will be spreading mulch over the designated area to create a protective layer that minimizes soil displacement and enhances the natural beauty of the park.

The mulching event is a great opportunity to contribute to the preservation of the park’s landscape  while enjoying the outdoors and connecting with fellow community members/

“From Mountain City to Memphis, Tennessee is blessed with unmatched beauty and rich natural resources, and that’s why we’ve developed a conservation strategy that balances our state’s economic growth with a plan to protect our environment,” Governor Lee said. “Tennesseans are always willing to step up and serve, and this is an excellent opportunity to invest in Tennessee State Parks.”

“Tennessee State Parks deserve our care, and these volunteer events help us ensure Tennessee continues to be home to the best parks in America,” First Lady Lee said. “We are grateful to all volunteers involved in these service events, and we encourage every Tennessean to get involved in keeping our state parks beautiful.”   

“We are delighted once again to join the First Lady in her Tennessee Serves program,” said Commissioner David Salyers of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.

“Our Governor and First Lady set excellent examples in conservation, and we are proud to be a part of such an excellent volunteer program.”

Volunteers are encouraged to wear clothes suitable for getting dirty or wet and wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes. They should also bring work gloves and a reusable water bottle. 

The First Lady launched Tennessee Serves in 2019 to encourage Tennesseans to serve one another and volunteer in their communities. The three-part initiative includes serving Tennesseans across the state with a special focus on distressed counties; highlighting people and organizations already making a difference; and mobilizing Tennesseans to meet community needs.

National Public Lands Day joins people across the nation in the care and celebration of public lands. From beginnings with one federal agency, two sites, and 700 volunteers, National Public Lands Day has grown into the largest single-day volunteer event for public lands.