The second annual Goldenrod Gala — a “night out for Nature” and an important fundraiser for the Friends of South Cumberland State Park — will be going underground on Saturday evening, October 6, 2018 at The Caverns, about 10 minutes north of Monteagle, TN. The evening will feature artisan-crafted cocktails, beers and wines; a catered dinner; and after-dinner live music and dancing in the dramatic new performance hall at The Caverns, which is also the new home of the popular PBS television series “Bluegrass Underground.” This year’s Gala will also feature the very popular Adventure Auction, offering unique, off trail nature expeditions led by expert guides. Proceeds from the Goldenrod Gala support a wide range of Friends’ initiatives on behalf of South Cumberland State Park. A limited number of tables and individual seats are still available, and may be reserved online at GoldenrodGala.org. The Friends of South Cumberland are also seeking business sponsors and donors to sign-on in support of the Goldenrod Gala and its mission for the Park. If you are interested, please contact the Friends at friendsofsouthcumberland@gmail.com for more information.
What’s Happening...
Volunteer to be a Trail Friend this fall!
Trail Friend volunteer Barbara Braswell (right) helping out fall hikers at Savage Gulf.
Trail Friends are volunteers from the Friends of South Cumberland State Park, a nonprofit
support organization headquartered in Sewanee who offer a cheery welcome and much-needed information about the Park, the natural surroundings, and the specifics of the trails. Trail Friends staff five of the busiest trailheads in the South Cumberland State Park. Trail Friends also walk their assigned trails and their help is very much appreciated. The group is accepting new members and on-line training is available now. The Fall Season begins Sept. 1 and extends on weekends through Nov. 18. Thousands of people have been helped by this small group of enthusiastic outdoor lovers. Our Kickoff Meet and Greet takes place at 3 p.m. on Sept. 9, at the South Cumberland State Park Visitor Center Pavilion. To find out more about this dynamic group, follow this link: https://www.friendsofsouthcumberland.org/trail-friends.html FIERY GIZZARD
TRAIL CLOSURE UPDATE The Fiery Gizzard Trail remains closed from Sycamore Falls to Raven’s Point due to a pipeline safety maintenance project. Both the Dog Hole Trail and Lower Fiery Gizzard Trail are closed due to a utility company project. Park Rangers hope to reopen the trail by Labor Day. We apologize for the inconvenience. South Cumberland
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photo: Susan Campbell
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The Friends are now on
Instagram, Snapchat and Twitter! Be among the first to follow and
friend us, and share your adventures in the Park on these new Friends of South Cumberland pages: 
1,125 White Fringeless Orchids Discovered
Ranger George Shinn reports that park staff, supported by Division of Natural Areas staff, counted 1125 (federally threatened/endangered) White Fringeless Orchids compared to 24 plants last year. That is the highest number ever recorded for that site. Also, staff visited and counted a second site containing about 12 plants. Most importantly, staff visited the northeast corner of the site and confirmed a new occurrence (20 plants).
South Cumberland State Park is home to a number of rare and endangered plants and animals, one of which is the White Fringeless Orchid (Platanthera intergrilabia). The Savage Gulf area of the Park is home to one of the largest remaining populations of these beautiful plants. Platanthera integrilabia is generally found in wet, flat, boggy areas in acidic muck or sand, and in partially, but not fully shaded areas at the head of streams or seepage slopes. It occurs mainly at elevations between 100 and 700 meters (300 to 2,300 ft) above sea level. Despite occurring across a relatively wide geographic range, Platanthera integrilabia is listed as "Near Threatened” because of continuing declines in its area of occupancy and number of plants in each subpopulation. The plant has all but disappeared from North Carolina, where it was once thriving. At last count, there were between 50 and 60 existing subpopulations. 29 subpopulations have disappeared since botanists began monitoring the plant, mainly because of human actions that altered growing conditions, particularly with regard to soil moisture. Population declines plague some subpopulations, and today, many have fewer than 100 plants. In our area, Platanthera integrilabia flowers from late July through early September. The flower bears an odd resemblance to a monkey’s face; hence, some folks call this the “Monkey Face Plant!” Like many orchids, Platanthera integrilabia has pollen sacs which adhere to pollinators, transferring pollen from plant to plant. The percentage of individuals flowering within a subpopulation is generally very low. That is why the relatively large numbers of flowering plants in Savage Gulf this summer is so encouraging! Watch the Tennessee Wild Side TV episode about the White Fringeless Orchid. Volunteers Needed!
View of the Crow Creek Valley from one new overlook on the Sherwood Day Loop Trail. Click to enlarge.
It's time to finish the new Sherwood Day Loop Trail! Join with other SCSP trail blazers to help create a brand new loop trail in the new Sherwood Forest area of the park. Please be prepared with sturdy footwear and plenty of water/snacks. If you have favorite trail-building tools or gloves, feel free to bring them. Note: You can only access Old CCC Road from Jumpoff Road; NOT from Sherwood Road. Meet at Old CCC Road, just past Coyote Cove Lane, Sherwood, TN 37376
Upcoming work dates: Aug 9 at 9:00 am Aug 12 at 1:30 pm Aug 22 at 9:00 am Aug 28 at 1:30 pm Sept 22 at 9:00 am (Nat'l Public Lands Day!) Take a stroll in the demonstration garden
Take a short walk to the parkʼs new Native Specialty Crops demonstration garden, also behind the Visitor Center, featuring herbs, elderberry, echinacea, and other therapeutic plants which are being developed as commercial crops in our area.
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Learn more about the newest areas of the Park |
South Cumberland State Park continues to grow at a remarkable pace; it is now officially Tennessee's largest state park, at 30,837 acres. Click on any of these links to learn more about recent land areas that have been protected and added to the park, and what work is underway to make these areas accessible to the public: |
Our Mission:
To aid and assist the South Cumberland State Park management and staff in meeting its objectives, and to inform, educate, engage, and inspire its members and the public to protect, conserve, and enjoy all the resources of the park.
Why Should You Be a Friends Member?
Now protecting more than 30,800 acres, South Cumberland is the largest State Park in Tennessee. Although this is great news, more land, and more visitors, creates new and urgent unmet needs for the park. New trails must be built, and existing trails must be maintained or upgraded. New and expanded parking areas, restrooms, camping and picnic facilities, and directional signage are needed. Invasive pests, like the Hemlock Wooly Adelgid, and invasive plants must be controlled. Guided hikes, seminars and historical re-enactments, including programs for area school children, must be prepared and delivered. And, the work of conserving additional environmentally-significant lands is far from complete.
By becoming a member of the Friends, you can help insure that South Cumberland will always be a safe, well-maintained and amazing place to experience world-class natural beauty!
Your Friends membership directly supports the park.
The Friends of South Cumberland is a group of volunteer citizens dedicated to supporting the South Cumberland State Park, at 30,837 acres, Tennessee's largest state park. A 1993 law passed by the Tennessee General Assembly allows state parks to contract with and receive financial assistance from an organized friends group. As a result, private citizens can be involved with and support the park through both volunteer work and financial support.
Funding for the Friends of South Cumberland is derived from individual and corporate memberships and from private donations. Our tax deductible status was approved in July 1994. As a 501(c)3 non profit public benefit corporation, your membership and gifts may be Federally tax deductible. Please join us in supporting and protecting the South Cumberland State Park!
To aid and assist the South Cumberland State Park management and staff in meeting its objectives, and to inform, educate, engage, and inspire its members and the public to protect, conserve, and enjoy all the resources of the park.
Why Should You Be a Friends Member?
Now protecting more than 30,800 acres, South Cumberland is the largest State Park in Tennessee. Although this is great news, more land, and more visitors, creates new and urgent unmet needs for the park. New trails must be built, and existing trails must be maintained or upgraded. New and expanded parking areas, restrooms, camping and picnic facilities, and directional signage are needed. Invasive pests, like the Hemlock Wooly Adelgid, and invasive plants must be controlled. Guided hikes, seminars and historical re-enactments, including programs for area school children, must be prepared and delivered. And, the work of conserving additional environmentally-significant lands is far from complete.
By becoming a member of the Friends, you can help insure that South Cumberland will always be a safe, well-maintained and amazing place to experience world-class natural beauty!
Your Friends membership directly supports the park.
- Your membership supports the good work of the Friends of South Cumberland. You will become part of a group working to save great spaces in the South Cumberland and supporting this magnificent park with both funding and volunteer initiatives.
- You will receive the quarterly FSC Newsletter and monthly Trail Tracker emails to keep you updated on Friends and Park issues, events and volunteer opportunities.
- You will be eligible for members-only programs and events, such as the Tennessee Naturalist Program.
The Friends of South Cumberland is a group of volunteer citizens dedicated to supporting the South Cumberland State Park, at 30,837 acres, Tennessee's largest state park. A 1993 law passed by the Tennessee General Assembly allows state parks to contract with and receive financial assistance from an organized friends group. As a result, private citizens can be involved with and support the park through both volunteer work and financial support.
Funding for the Friends of South Cumberland is derived from individual and corporate memberships and from private donations. Our tax deductible status was approved in July 1994. As a 501(c)3 non profit public benefit corporation, your membership and gifts may be Federally tax deductible. Please join us in supporting and protecting the South Cumberland State Park!
