The Foothills Land Conservancy has expanded the Great Smoky Mountains National Park by 638 acres – the largest addition to the park in over a decade. The announcement came May 14 at the annual fundraiser for FLC. The organization is scheduled to close on the property June 8.
The land was previously owned by Cades Cove resident John Oliver and borders the park. Park visitors stop at the John Oliver cabin in Cades Cove – the first structure on the 11.1-mile loop. The new 600-acre tract is close to the same size as the entire Cades Cove loop area’s primary historic properties. Oliver Tract_Topo_55,000 ft.
Mark Stevans, new executive director of FLC, said the goal for the purchase is to make sure the acreage remains untouched.
“Acreage of this scale is almost unheard of now, and development pressure in the region being what it is, it’s only going to become more and more rare,” Stevans said. “This is an opportunity to truly protect a piece of Townsend, Blount County and the Great Smoky Mountains in a way that we may never have again.”
FLC has protected more than 200,000 acres of land through hundreds of conservation projects across Tennessee and beyond. Stevans said the organization, dedicated to conservation, was created to make deals like this.
Kudzu: The vine that ate the south. This patch is off Chapman Hwy leading up to Fort Dickerson.
Kudzu, Begone!
The city of Knoxville has taken $80,000 from a state grant to tackle kudzu. City Council adopted Mayor Indya Kincannon’s proposal on May 12. The money will be divided among four responsive bidders who will use safe-level herbicides to eradicate kudzu and its evil sidekicks, privet and honeysuckle, on city-owned property.
The 2024 Urban Forest Master Plan identified invasive species as a barrier to increasing the number and quality of trees in Knoxville. Both the Knoxville Tree Board and Ijams Nature Center support the city’s approach to eradicate unwanted and destructive invasives, per a city press release.
Once the invasives are put in check, the city’s management plan calls for replacement plantings of native species, so long-term healthy ecosystems emerge.
A good place to start is Fort Dickerson, where masses of kudzu vines are growing a foot a day during the hot summer months. This includes the area behind Arby’s on Chapman Highway.
The city has had limited success with using goats to check the growth of kudzu. “The goats give it their best shot, but grazing doesn’t get at the deep underground root balls – some as long as a school bus. Once the goats finish their feasting, the kudzu quickly returns,” reads the presser.
Eric Vreeland contributed information for this report.
Beaver Creek flotilla ahead
Heather Waliga
Heather Waliga, WBIR10 and FOX43 morning host, is the floatmaster for the 9th annual Beaver Creek Flotilla presented by Vulcan Materials company. It is set for Saturday, May 30, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. (gates open at 7 a.m.) at Powell High Landing, adjacent to the PHS baseball field on Brickyard Road.
Heather follows other distinguished floatmasters including Bill Weigel, Glenn Jacobs and Larsen Jay. A proud Karns native, she graduated from Karns High School before earning her degree from the University of Tennessee and building an award-winning journalism career that took her across the Southeast. From anchoring and reporting in multiple cities to covering major national events, she has built a reputation for authentic storytelling and meaningful community connection, says Charlie Austin, president of the Beaver Creek Kayak Club.
“Heather stays deeply involved in the community she loves and is dedicated to serving others while giving back using her platform to support many local causes. She was recently named one of the University of Tennessee’s 40 Under 40 alum and inducted into the Karns High School Distinguished Alumni inaugural class. Heather is thrilled to be part of this special day on Beaver Creek.”
Don’t delay. Click floatthebeaver.com today to register or volunteer.
Beginner kayak instruction
TWRA and Tennessee State Parks are partnering with paddlesports leaders across Tennessee to offer affordable “Kayaking 101” classes on Saturday, May 16, during National Safe Boating Week.
For $15 per person, participants receive beginner instruction, kayak rental and all necessary gear – training that typically costs between $75 and $150. Classes will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine. Participating Tennessee State Parks include:
- Big Ridge State Park
- Hiwassee/Ocoee Scenic River State Park
- Natchez Trace State Park
- Seven Islands State Birding Park
- Warriors’ Path State Park
Each session is limited to 15 participants, and spots are filling quickly. Register here.
Notes & Quotes
Grow Oak Ridge is sponsoring open house and ribbon-cutting for Oak Ridge Community Garden today (5-15-26) from 4-5 p.m. at 1051 Oak Ridge Turnpike, behind First Presbyterian Church. New this year: water hydrants, shed, compost bins and bed frames. Learn more here.
Dogwood Arts has dreamed up a new event: the MuMu Festival – KnoxWalls Mural & Music Festival is Saturday, May 30, 2026, from noon to 8 p.m. at Emory Place in North Knoxville. With live art, live music and food vendors, the free festival will feature 10 mural artists competing on standalone walls. Then you decide who gets permanent mural spots around Knoxville.
Open Streets Knoxville will be Sunday, May 17, from 2-6 p.m. on Gay Street and the Gay Street Bridge. The entire route will be closed to motor traffic, giving pedestrians free access to walk, bike, jog or dance their way through downtown. It includes business vendors, live entertainment, street performers, food trucks and activities for kids. New this year is Slippery Stairs
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