Tennessee residents can support resource conservation and facility improvements at local state parks through the sixth annual My Tennessee State Park fundraiser this month.
Scotts Gulf Wilderness State Park Manager Stuart Carroll said the initiative allows the public to directly fund specific needs at individual locations across the state. The program operates as a friendly competition where financial contributions act as tallies for each participating site.
“And the money is each dollar represents one vote,” Carroll said. “So the money’s accumulated and then disbursed back to the park on a per-needs basis or if you’ve got a certain project.”
The fundraiser is a joint effort between Tennessee State Parks and the Tennessee State Parks Conservancy. Carroll said past donations have purchased educational materials, canoes, paddleboards, and lumber for bridges. He said funds have also been used to construct aviaries for injured birds to be rehabilitated and released.
“It can the great thing about these kind of fundraisers is they can help us to raise money in areas sometimes it’s hard to get money in,” Carroll said.
Park officials must submit plans detailing how they intend to use the funds for specific projects. Edgar Evins State Park Manager II Brad Halfacre said the money assists with trail building, cleaning, and maintenance across the rugged terrain found in the state.
“Like at Edgar Evins, we’ve put up some new signage, some kiosks and things like that and the Conservancy funds from last year has helped us achieve that goal,” Halfacre said.
The fundraising drive has grown significantly over the past six years since its inception. Halfacre said the event was originally held in January before park managers suggested moving the competition to April to align with the spirit of springtime tournaments.
“But every contribution helps, whether it’s a dollar, whether it’s ten dollars, it really benefits something great that’s going on at a park,” Halfacre said.
Citizens can also support the parks by volunteering their labor or donating equipment and materials.