Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation

06/17/2026

06/15/2026

Cherokee Trail Of Tears State Park is a solemn place with a deep and important history, and we are honored to welcome this land into the Tennessee State Parks family. Earlier this month, members of the Cheroke Nation joined us for a moving ceremony to dedicate this newest state park and to help ensure it remains a place of reflection and remembrance for future generations.

06/10/2026

We are excited to be part of a panel discussion about the Duck River following a free screening of the new documentary film, "Down the Duck," this Friday, June 12, at the Mulehouse, located at 812 High Street in Columbia. Doors open at 6 p.m. TDEC's Director of Water Resources, April Grippo, will join a group of experts to share their thoughts and experiences on preserving the most biodiverse river in North America. Get tickets here: https://wl.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E12925&id=245

06/04/2026

It's a busy time of year for the rangers - and the fireflies - at Rocky Fork State Park - Flag Pond, TN. Tonight is the final Firefly Light Show of 2026, where guests will witness an illuminating display of Synchronous fireflies.

Held just six nights in late May and early June, these events are so popular, and space is so limited, that guests must enter a lottery for a chance to see the show. This year, the park received 7,000 entries from 29 states and D.C.!

In late May, we visited the park to see the rare, bioluminescent Blue Ghost fireflies emit a steady, haunting blue light for up to a minute or more, giving a floating appearance just above the forest floor. Watch below to see how our amazing park rangers help ensure our guests have an educational and entertaining viewing experience.

06/03/2026

Tennessee is leading the nation again and supercharging our reputation as the global hub for nuclear energy innovation! On June 9, we will be the first state in the nation with a regulatory framework for nuclear fusion machines (like the ones pictured below) and fusion-related activities through TDEC's Division of Radiological Health. Nuclear fusion is the same powerful reaction that fuels the sun—when light atoms combine into a heavier one, releasing an enormous amount of clean energy.

Type One Energy’s commercial site near Oak Ridge is anticipated to be among the first licensees under this new framework. Learn more about this innovative milestone here:

https://www.tn.gov/environment/news/2026/6/1/tn-powers-up-first-in-the-nation-fusion-regulations-june-9.html

📸: Type One Energy

06/01/2026

Happy birthday, Tennessee! From Memphis to Mountain City, we are a state blessed with beautiful natural resources and an abundance of outdoor opportunities. Today and every day, we celebrate this great state we call home.

📸: Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park

05/31/2026

No, it's not snowing at Reelfoot Lake State Park! Park Ranger Brandon Ransom has details about the fluffy white stuff that is accumulating around the lake in northwest Tennessee.

05/29/2026

Commissioner Salyers met some of Tennessee's brightest and best young men this week at the 2026 American Legion Boys State at Tennessee Tech University. The commissioner shared insights into his role and responsibilities as a member of Gov. Lee’s Cabinet with the newly elected Governor of Boys State and members of his cabinet. Boys State is a selective, week-long immersive leadership and civics program for more than 500 rising high school seniors from every county in Tennessee. We look forward to what the future holds for these young men!

05/28/2026

Last year, TDEC's Division of Water Resources' inaugural Regulatory Forum was so well received, we're holding three forums in 2026 - one in each of the state's grand divisions! These forums are designed to strengthen communication, transparency, and collaboration with our water resources stakeholders.

June 17, 2026 - West Tennessee (Jackson Energy Authority Training Facility)

August 13, 2026 - East Tennessee (Pellissippi State Strawberry Plains Campus)

November 10, 2026 - Middle Tennessee (Fleming Training Center)

Featured topics will include:
-Division of Water Resources overview and mission
-Who's Who: Get to know TDEC’s water programs and staff
-Division of Water Resources priorities and key activities
-Region-specific topics, technical assistance & MyTDEC forms

Scan the QR code for more details or visit the link below to register today.

https://www.tn.gov/environment/program-areas/wr-water-resources/dwr-outreach.html

05/12/2026

Regionalization, drought management, water loss, stakeholder outreach, and utility infrastructure investments. These are just some of the issues being worked through by Duck River Watershed Planning Partnership. The multi-agency collaborative is developing a framework to help Tennessee balance economic growth while preserving and protecting our important natural resources, like the Duck River. Watch below for an update on this important work: