Conservation

July 12th - Nashville Area Boat Day!

Come try out a variety of canoes and kayaks, both solo and tandem, in slow moving or flat water! Experienced paddlers from the Tennessee Scenic Rivers Association will be on hand to demonstrate paddling skills and safety requirements, as well as various other watershed organizations such as the Stones River Watershed Assocation and the Cumberland River Compact. All boats, lifejackets and paddles will be provided. There will also be booths and exhibits from various community organizations and agencies. The day is not designed to teach detailed paddling strokes or rolls. Events are free and open to all, but minors under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

For contact names and specific locations of Boat Days throughout the Nashville area, click on http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&om=0&msa=0&msid=110312640387335344324.00043ccf96abfbf02902c&z=9

	Smyrna - check out http://www.stoneswatershed.org/involved.html#bd for specific information
	Murfreesboro - check out http://www.stoneswatershed.org/involved.html#bd for specific information
	Nashville - Cumberland River
	Mt.Juliet - Old Hickory Lake

Take Nashville's Survey on Environmental Sustainability

The Mayor's Green Ribbon Committee on Environmental Sustainability was created to assure that Nashville continues to be a livable city with clean air, clean water, open spaces, transportation infrastructure and an energy use profile necessary to provide a prosperous community for current and future generations. They are gathering input from citizens on the types of environmental practices that should be developed in Nashville. Fill out the survey by following the link below. It's just five questions and won't take you too long. Come on, try it!

http://www.nashville.gov/mayor/green_ribbon/

Setting Direction for Bell's Bend

The Middle Tennessee Group strongly supports the efforts of the neighborhood group working non-stop to save Bells Bend, a rural and agricultural area across the Cumberland River from urbanized Nashville, from a proposed major development.

The May Town Center, if zoning changes are approved, would be a 1,400 acre development that would include retail, 5,000 condominiums, several corporate headquarters, and a bridge that would cost taxpayers millions in public money. It is estimated that more than 40,000 people would be present in the May Town Center on a daily basis. This proposed development, which is projected to have about the same density as downtown Nashville, would be served by that single bridge. Since downtown Nashville, which is served by 18 roadways in and out, is still plagued by traffic, it is clear that major access and traffic congestion would result in west Nashville.

Bells Bend is the southern end of a corridor that starts at Beaman Park in the north, providing for wildlife movement and habitat. Most area residents strongly oppose this development because there are values that must not be compromised by development:

· Preservation of open spaces and forests

· Education of future generations

· Preservation of historic buildings and archaeological sites

· Protection of working farms and agricultural businesses

· Outdoor recreation and tourism opportunities

· Refuge from urban sprawl

· Wildlife habitat

· Protection from negative impact on Nashville’s past investment in area parks

The Middle Tennessee Group opposes sprawl and supports the Bells Bend conservation efforts and its mission of establishing a statewide model for open space conservation.

WHAT CAN YOU DO? Click Here for Steps YOU Can Take!

(Last updated 7/2/08)