Greetings, outdoorspeople!
Weekend forecast: Saturday; high 86, warm and sunny/ Sunday; high 88, very warm
Recommended adventure: From bearded beggarticks to giant ironweed, the native wildflowers are in peak bloom at Reflection Riding Arboretum and Nature Center. Visitors are invited to join its conservation team for a wildflower walk on Sept. 11 from 9-11 a.m. Space is limited, and participants must reserve their passes online. Sign up here.
Most interesting thing we recently learned: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently proposed to protect the pyramid pigtoe mussel under the Endangered Species Act. The freshwater mussel has lost nearly 80% of its range. Historically there were 151 known populations. Today there are only 35 – with some remaining in the Tennessee River. (To see happier news from the endangered species front, keep reading.)
– Sunny Montgomery, smontgomery@timesfreepress.com