TWRA stresses importance of Boating Safely this Labor Day Weekend
September 3, 2021
Nashville, TN – The Labor Day holiday, the final major weekend of the 2021 summer boating season is September 4th-6th, 2021. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) wants to emphasize the use of life jackets while boating in a safe and responsible manner.
The TWRA wants all those who visit the waterways to have an enjoyable time. However, TWRA officers will be on the watch for dangerous boating behavior, such as boating under the influence (BUI) and other reckless operation.
[320left]All children age 12 and under onboard must wear a life jacket. In addition, there must be a life jacket onboard the vessel for each person.
“TWRA wildlife officers have seen a significant increase in the use of paddlecraft the past several years,” said Betsy Woods, TWRA Boating Education coordinator.
“Kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards are great ways to enjoy the water, but because they are so low profile, it’s easy to take a tumble into the water,” Woods stated.
Life jackets are required on paddlecraft and if a person is age 12 or younger, then the life jacket must be worn. The TWRA always encourages the use of life jackets.
To date in 2021 on Tennessee waters, there have been 17 boating-related fatalities, a decrease from the 22 from the same time last year.
TWRA says Tennessee Boating Season kicks off Memorial Day Weekend
May 28, 2021
Nashville, TN – The Memorial Day holiday weekend is looked upon as the start to the summer boating season and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) wants to emphasize the use of life jackets along with boating in a safe and responsible manner.
The May 29th-31st holiday weekend is expected to be one of the busiest of the year with many boaters going to the water for first time in 2021. Along with the use of life jackets, TWRA wants to stress the responsible use of alcohol while boating.
There was one boating related fatality during Memorial Day Weekend in Tennessee last year.
Tennessee State Parks Announce Opening of 56th State Park; Seven Islands State Birding Park
July 6, 2014
Over 160 Bird Species Identified at Seven Islands State Birding Park
Knoxville, TN – Tennessee State Parks is pleased to announce the newest addition to the parks system, Seven Islands State Birding Park. State and local officials attended the official opening of the 56th state park Tuesday in Knoxville.
Seven Islands State Birding Park offers activities including observation, hiking and a small boat launch for canoes and kayaks. The property is adjacent to the French Broad River and aquatic and riparian habitats support an impressive diversity of wildlife species. Over 160 species of birds have been identified.
Seven Islands State Birding Park officially opened July 1st, 2014.
TDOT and TWRA Partner to Launch Park and Float Program
October 25, 2010
Program to Provide Improved Access to Tennessee Rivers and Streams
Nashville, TN – The Tennessee Department of Transportation and the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency are excited to announce the launch of a new program designed to improve access to Tennessee’s waterways. The Park and Float Program will increase recreational opportunities across the state by providing parking areas and access points at rivers and streams along the state’s roadways.
Under the Park and Float initiative, TDOT and TWRA established a list of candidate streams and rivers for the program. Some of the locations have been created at existing bridges, while others will be created when a TDOT bridge project is initiated on a stream or river on the Park and Float candidate waters list. Many of the newly created access areas will require minimal construction because bridge projects often have haul roads that will simply be left in place. [Read more]
