Governor Haslam to Dedicate Virgin Falls State Natural Area

Event will occur Wednesday and be attended by leaders from both public and private sectors

NASHVILLE – Governor Bill Haslam, along with leaders from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services and Tennessee Parks and Greenways Foundation will be officially dedicating the purchase of Virgin Falls State Natural Area this Wednesday, December 11.

Through the support of a number of private/public partnerships, the state acquired the land in November 2012. Prior to that, Virgin Falls had been under private ownership, but managed by the state as a natural area for nearly 40 years. Working closely with the Tennessee Parks and Greenways Foundation, the state of Tennessee was able to purchase the 1,551-acre parcel near Sparta through a combination of funds from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and private donations. 

A favorite hiking destination for decades, Virgin Falls features a waterfall that exits a cave at the top of a cliff and then disappears into a second cave at its base. Nature lovers have noted the existence of unique flora and fauna and amateur geologists have explored the composition and structure of its many caves. 

WHO:

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam

Bob Martineau, Commissioner, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation

Ed Carter, Executive Director, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency

Mary Jennings, Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service- Department of Interior

Brock Hill, Deputy Commissioner, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation

Kathleen Williams, President and CEO, TN Parks & Greenways Foundation

Dr. Chuck Womack, Chairman of the Board, TN Parks & Greenways Foundation

 

WHAT:          

Virgin Falls State Natural Area Dedication

 

WHEN:

Wednesday, December 11, 10 a.m. (CST)                                        

 

WHERE:

Welch's Point, Bridgestone Firestone Wilderness, Welch Cemetery Road, Sparta (Directors: From I-40 in Cookeville, take Exit 288. Drive south on TN 111 for 14.1 miles; turn left on US 70E. Drive 10.8 miles east through Sparta to Easland Road. Turn right and drive south for 5.8 miles to Scott's Gulf Road. Turn right; drive 2.1 miles, passing Virgin Falls trailhead parking lot, and turn right on Welch Cemetery Road. Dedication is 2 miles ahead.)

 

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