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Tennessee Naturalist Program


The Friends of South Cumberland State Parks curate the South Cumberland classes for the Tennessee Naturalist Program, a state-wide certification program for anyone who wants to learn more about Tennessee's great nature!


The 2019-2020 Class of the South Cumberland Tennessee Naturalist Program
The 2019-2020 Class of the South Cumberland Tennessee Naturalist Program

Become a certified Tennessee Naturalist!


The Friends of South Cumberland is proud to offer the Tennessee Naturalist Program to its members.  "TNP" is a series of ten four-hour classes, designed to introduce adult learners to the natural history of Tennessee. Graduates join a critical corps of volunteers providing nature education, outreach, and service to the Park. 


Classes are scheduled in two semesters, from September to November and February to May, and are usually held on Saturday mornings. The classwork is divided between lectures, hands-on activities and many hours of outdoor immersion. Topics include geology, forests, plants, mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians, aquatic ecosystems, trail building and interpretation. The fieldwork portion of the course can be physically demanding, with off-trail hikes on steep hills and rough terrain, and some night activities.


Among those who have served as volunteer instructors are Tennessee State Naturalist Randy Hedgepath; Sewanee professors Bran Potter, Ken Smith, Scott Torreano and Kirk Zigler; Sewanee Herbarium Curators Mary Priestley and Yolande Gottfried; Chattanooga State professor Richard Clements, TWRA certified animal rehabilitator Margaret Matens; Tennessee State Park Rangers Jessie McNeel, Jason Reynolds, Philip Hylen and Mark Taylor; and former St. Andrews-Sewanee instructor Ron Ramsey. This outstanding group of educators and naturalists makes each session lively and memorable.


Our Purpose

  • Teach others about our natural world

  • Inspire the desire to learn more

  • Develop an appreciation for environmental stewardship

  • Create a knowledgeable community of SCSP “ambassadors”

  • Build a corps of environmental volunteers

  • Offered by the Friends of South Cumberland State Park (SCSP)

  • Learn about the natural history of the Cumberland Plateau

  • Prepares you to...

    • Be a docent with the FSC Trail Friends initiative

    • Lead field trips and interpretive programs in the Park

    • Join the FSC Trails Team, to build and maintain trails in the Park

    • Assist Park Rangers with special projects

    • and more!


Requirements for becoming a Tennessee Naturalist

  • 40 hours of instruction (ten 4-hour classes over 9 months, in or near SCSP; field work in the Park)

  • Pass the post-course exam

  • 40 hours of environmentally-focused volunteer service


Class Topics

  • Geology

  • Astronomy

  • Forests

  • Flowering Plants, Ferns & Fungi Mammals

  • Birds

  • Night Critters

  • Reptiles & Amphibians Invertebrates

  • Fresh Water Habitat

  • Building a Trail

  • Leading a Hike


About Our Instructors

  • Tennessee State Park Rangers

  • Tennessee Dept of Environment & Conservation experts

  • Faculty of the University of the South

  • Faculty of Chattanooga State Community College

  • Curators of the Sewanee Herbarium

  • Certified Wildlife Rehabilitators ...and more!


Registration for the coming academic year typically opens in June, preceding the September start of classes.  Watch here for updates!


Make a one-time or recurring donation to empower a group working to save great spaces in the South Cumberland and help protect and maintain these magnificent parks.

Become a member to support the work of Friends of the Parks, receive the monthly Trail Tracker newsletter and members-only events.

There are literally hundreds of ways you can get involved with the Friends of the Parks and provide critical support to our state park rangers, managers, and staff

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