Outdoors - Chattanooga Times Free Press

Tennessee to regulate kayak, canoe rental industry

Kayak and canoe rentals in Tennessee will be regulated as state officials look to track water traffic amid growing concerns of access issues.

By Mark Pace January 28, 2019

Jacob Timpa, employee for L2 Outside, pulls a cart of kayaks and paddle boards back to the shop adjacent to Coolidge Park on the Northshore. "Today, the river current is a little bit too strong, so I'm cutting it short today," Timpa said. "We are usually out here daily from 10 to 7," he said.

Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park fully reopens as shutdown ends

The Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military park fully reopened Saturday following the end of the longest government shutdown in U.S. history.

By Mark Pace January 26, 2019

U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander looks out over Moccasin Bend during a visit to Point Park earlier this year.

Major fishing tournament for world’s top anglers coming to Rhea County set to be televised on Discovery Channel

World's top anglers coming to Lake Chickamauga for new, made-for-TV fishing tournament

By Mark Pace January 25, 2019

Staff photo by Erin O. Smith /
Anglers fish during the Fishing League Worldwide Bass Fishing League Regional Championship tournament Thursday, October 25, 2018 held on Lake Chickamauga in Dayton, Tennessee. More than 200 anglers took part in the event. The grand prize winner will get a boat and a check for $20,000, and the top co-angler will get a new boat.

Case: Winter break? There’s plenty of hunting to do

About this time every year, most outdoors and guns writers do the same thing - publish a column or article about putting away all your guns and gear.

By Larry Case January 24, 2019

Greater sage grouse are shown in the snow near Walden, Colo., in April 2013. Small game, including grouse, rabbits and squirrels, provide worthy quarry for hunters in the winter when other game seasons have ended, writes outdoors columnist Larry Case.

Fresh Air Calendar, Jan. 24-30

See what's happening in the Chattanooga area's outdoors scene.

By Staff Report January 24, 2019

Southeast receives tiny fraction of funding for threatened and endangered species despite biodiversity

Seventy-six species of fish live in the Conasauga River.

By Mark Pace January 22, 2019

Staff file photo by Erin O. Smith / Bernie Kuhajda, a biologist with the Tennessee Aquarium, talks about the fish and other life seen in the water Thursday, July 19, 2018 at the Conasauga Snorkeling hole in Polk County, Tennessee.

Huge conservation project paves way to caving, hiking and more in North Georgia

A perfect collision of forces - an anonymous donor looking for a tax write-off, a failed subdivision that turned out to be a $40 million mortgage-fraud scheme, and strategic purchases by conservationists to protect area caves - paved the way for one of the biggest nonprofit conservation projects in the region.

By Mark Pace January 21, 2019

Ray Knott and Patty Springer, of Southeastern Cave Conservancy, Inc., give a tour of the recently preserved Charles B. Henson Preserve at Johnson's Crook. A structure behind them is part of what's left of a failed development the two hope to rebuild into a park area. / Photo by Mark Pace/Chattanooga Times Free Press

Fresh Air Calendar, Jan 17-24

See what's happening in the Chattanooga area's outdoors scene.

By Staff Report January 17, 2019

Tennessee American Water, CGLA partnership showing girls career possibilities [photos]

Ten girls poked through leaves, searching for tiny critters hiding in a temporary habitat in bins on tables in a lab at the Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute.

By Mark Pace January 15, 2019

Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy students Avery Love, 15, and Taliyah Sanford, 14, measure out water samples for testing Tuesday, January 15, 2019 at the Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Students broke out in groups to do a variety of tests with Tennessee American Water representatives.

Cumberland Trail Hiking Series returning after last year’s success

Those who made New Year's resolutions to get outside - and others interested in hiking new trails - are in luck.

By Mark Pace January 10, 2019

More in Outdoors, page 63