Registration is closed

June 23, 2022
9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Central Time 

Meet at Savage Gulf State Natural Area Ranger Station 
3157 SR 399
Palmer, TN 37365

The Savage Gulf entrance and ranger station is located halfway along Highway 399 between Cagle and Gruetli-Laager. 

View map

1 Society of American Foresters Continuing Forestry Education credit applies to this event.

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation has been implementing practices to restore shortleaf pine habitat at their Savage Gulf State Natural Area since 2017. Among these practices include timber stand improvement and prescribed fire. During this field tour we will look at treatment sites that were once loblolly plantations and have now been planted with shortleaf pine seedlings and treated with prescribed fire. We will also look at a mature shortleaf pine stand that has recently been treated with prescribed fire and compare results.  

This work has been completed as part of the Forest Stewards Guild’s Cumberland Plateau Shortleaf Pine Restoration Program, funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.  

Agenda outline (full agenda and maps coming soon)

9:00 – Registration opens
9:30 – Tour starts

Potential stops and topics of discussion:

• • Mature age class of loblolly contrasted with the current grassland
  • Shortleaf pine plantings and native grassland species emerged since disturbance
  • Landscape-scale vistas
  • Invasives control
  • Streamside management zones disturbance mitigation
  • Mature forest contrast – with and without fire

12:30 – Tour ends

Logistics:

• Water and snacks will be provided at the beginning and at the end of the tour.
• Please bring a full water bottle and sturdy shoes/boots for walking. There will be some uneven terrain. We will not be far from the vehicles at any of the stops.
• Please be prepared to park your vehicle and carpool with others on the tour.