Post by jonsdigs on Oct 18, 2006 18:53:15 GMT -5
Purchase preserves wildlife 'hot spot'
Plateau's 4,200 acres harbor rare bird, bats
By ANNE PAINE
Staff Writer
Photo:
cmsimg.tennessean.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=DN&Date=20061017&Category=NEWS01&ArtNo=610170352&Ref=AR&Profile=1297&MaxW=525&MaxH=390&title=1
Rock outcroppings forming scenic overlooks are part of Skinner Mountain's diverse topography. (PHOTO BY CORY HOLLIDAY, THE NATURE CONSERVANCY)
Full Story:
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Plateau's 4,200 acres harbor rare bird, bats
By ANNE PAINE
Staff Writer
Photo:
cmsimg.tennessean.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=DN&Date=20061017&Category=NEWS01&ArtNo=610170352&Ref=AR&Profile=1297&MaxW=525&MaxH=390&title=1
Rock outcroppings forming scenic overlooks are part of Skinner Mountain's diverse topography. (PHOTO BY CORY HOLLIDAY, THE NATURE CONSERVANCY)
More than 4,200 mountaintop acres near Pickett State Forest have been purchased by The Nature Conservancy-Tennessee for $4.7 million and could be open for hiking within a year.
The property, on the Cumberland Plateau about two hours northeast of Nashville,
is a "hot spot" of significant wildlife habitat, according to the Tennessee Wildlife Re-sources Agency.
It's home to big-toothed aspen and butternut trees, several bat species and the cerulean warbler, a rare songbird that migrates as far as Ecuador and Colombia each year.
The Cumberland Plateau itself, where timber companies and others have been selling off land in recent years, is a focal point of the conservancy's efforts to protect land and water.
"The Nature Conservancy uses a lot of scientific rigor to try to figure out where the most important places biologically are, worldwide," said Scott Davis, state director of TNC-Tennessee.
"The Cumberland Plateau ranks out globally as one of the most important temperate hardwood forests on earth."
The property, on the Cumberland Plateau about two hours northeast of Nashville,
is a "hot spot" of significant wildlife habitat, according to the Tennessee Wildlife Re-sources Agency.
It's home to big-toothed aspen and butternut trees, several bat species and the cerulean warbler, a rare songbird that migrates as far as Ecuador and Colombia each year.
The Cumberland Plateau itself, where timber companies and others have been selling off land in recent years, is a focal point of the conservancy's efforts to protect land and water.
"The Nature Conservancy uses a lot of scientific rigor to try to figure out where the most important places biologically are, worldwide," said Scott Davis, state director of TNC-Tennessee.
"The Cumberland Plateau ranks out globally as one of the most important temperate hardwood forests on earth."
Touched by the East Fork of the Obey, the land includes craggy rock outcroppings, sinks and caves along with the native hardwood forests.
The caves make the land prime real estate for bats. The Eastern big-eared bat and Eastern small-footed bat are among several species that have been found there. This winter, officials say, they expect to find the endangered Indiana bat in hibernation.
The caves make the land prime real estate for bats. The Eastern big-eared bat and Eastern small-footed bat are among several species that have been found there. This winter, officials say, they expect to find the endangered Indiana bat in hibernation.
Full Story:
www.dicksonherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061017/NEWS01/610170352/1297/MTCN02