Community Calendar

TennGreen Land Conservancy’s sixth annual Hike-a-Thon is taking place during the entire month of April 2026. This month-long competition is free to register and supports the protection of our lands and waters—where people and nature can thrive.

While the Hike-a-Thon benefits Tennessee nature, participants can adventure and compete from anywhere in the world. The event includes numerous individual and team competitions for hikers, paddlers, trail runners, climbers, off-road bikers, nature photographers, and more. The Hike-a-Thon welcomes everyone, whether you're an experienced outdoor adventurer or simply looking for a fun way to spend more time outside.

So many incredible prizes are up for grabs this year! Thanks to generous conservation partners, Hike-a-Thoners can win big—think an Eddyline Kayak, a year of Bongo Java coffee, plus hiking gear and gift cards galore. You’ll also have chances to win unforgettable outdoor experiences, from guided fly fishing with Hellbender Outfitters to a tri-toon boat rental at Wildwood Resort & Marina, or adventure passes to Cumberland Caverns, Foggy Bottom Canoe & Kayak, or the Tennessee Aquarium.

Proceeds from the Hike-a-Thon benefit TennGreen Land Conservancy, a 501(c)(3) environmental nonprofit and the oldest accredited statewide land conservancy in Tennessee.

In the Knoxville News: https://www.wate.com/news/knox-county-news/tbi-offers-free-active-shooter-response-training-in-knoxville/, https://www.wvlt.tv/2026/03/12/tbi-offer-active-shooter-training-knoxville/

Free event presented by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation in partnership with Defend Systems

Come join the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and Defend Systems at Park West Church in Knoxville for an evening of learning how to respond to active shooter situations. This free in-person event is a unique and valuable opportunity to enhance your knowledge and abilities in handling emergency situations. This dynamic presentation takes a comprehensive look at the frequent problem of active violence and actions that increase survivability.

This training seminar will explore ways to increase emergency preparedness, understand critical response, embrace lessons learned from tragedy, identify pre-attack indicators, retain actions that increase survivability, and more. Leave empowered!

About Defend Systems:

Defend Systems is a life safety and security consulting firm specializing in active shooter response training and physical security consulting. The company was founded by Brink Fidler, a physical security specialist and veteran law enforcement leader, after retiring as Director of the Nashville Drug Task Force.

After years of studying active shooter events second by second, Fidler identified a critical truth: outcomes change when people on scene know exactly what to do. He built the Defend Systems curriculum to address the gaps often left in traditional training programs, focusing on practical, real-world response strategies.

Today, hundreds of organizations, including corporations, houses of worship, healthcare facilities, law firms, and more than 300 schools nationwide, trust Defend Systems to equip their teams with the skills and confidence to respond effectively in a crisis.

TennGreen Land Conservancy’s sixth annual Hike-a-Thon is taking place during the entire month of April 2026. This month-long competition is free to register and supports the protection of our lands and waters—where people and nature can thrive.

While the Hike-a-Thon benefits Tennessee nature, participants can adventure and compete from anywhere in the world. The event includes numerous individual and team competitions for hikers, paddlers, trail runners, climbers, off-road bikers, nature photographers, and more. The Hike-a-Thon welcomes everyone, whether you're an experienced outdoor adventurer or simply looking for a fun way to spend more time outside.

So many incredible prizes are up for grabs this year! Thanks to generous conservation partners, Hike-a-Thoners can win big—think an Eddyline Kayak, a year of Bongo Java coffee, plus hiking gear and gift cards galore. You’ll also have chances to win unforgettable outdoor experiences, from guided fly fishing with Hellbender Outfitters to a tri-toon boat rental at Wildwood Resort & Marina, or adventure passes to Cumberland Caverns, Foggy Bottom Canoe & Kayak, or the Tennessee Aquarium.

Proceeds from the Hike-a-Thon benefit TennGreen Land Conservancy, a 501(c)(3) environmental nonprofit and the oldest accredited statewide land conservancy in Tennessee.

Conservation on Tap 🍻
🗓️Wed April 15 @ 7 p.m.
📍Schulz Bräu Brewing Company

Dr. Will Kuhn & staff, Discover Life in America
Biodiversity in the Smokies: Every Species Counts 🐛🍄‍🟫🧬

Join Will Kuhn, entomologist and Director of Science and Research at Discover Life in America and staff on April 15 for Conservation on Tap— a laid-back evening of drinks, conversation, and cool science. Will will share the latest discoveries in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, describe some exciting new projects, and talk about how you can join in the discovery!

Grab a drink, connect with fellow nature lovers, and learn how Discover Life in America is turning data into action, beyond just the Smokies!

TennGreen Land Conservancy’s sixth annual Hike-a-Thon is taking place during the entire month of April 2026. This month-long competition is free to register and supports the protection of our lands and waters—where people and nature can thrive.

While the Hike-a-Thon benefits Tennessee nature, participants can adventure and compete from anywhere in the world. The event includes numerous individual and team competitions for hikers, paddlers, trail runners, climbers, off-road bikers, nature photographers, and more. The Hike-a-Thon welcomes everyone, whether you're an experienced outdoor adventurer or simply looking for a fun way to spend more time outside.

So many incredible prizes are up for grabs this year! Thanks to generous conservation partners, Hike-a-Thoners can win big—think an Eddyline Kayak, a year of Bongo Java coffee, plus hiking gear and gift cards galore. You’ll also have chances to win unforgettable outdoor experiences, from guided fly fishing with Hellbender Outfitters to a tri-toon boat rental at Wildwood Resort & Marina, or adventure passes to Cumberland Caverns, Foggy Bottom Canoe & Kayak, or the Tennessee Aquarium.

Proceeds from the Hike-a-Thon benefit TennGreen Land Conservancy, a 501(c)(3) environmental nonprofit and the oldest accredited statewide land conservancy in Tennessee.

Learn about black bears, an iconic symbol of the Smokies. Great Smoky Mountains National Park ranger-led program. Sugarlands Visitor Center, Tenn. Free. Info and confirm details: nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/calendar.htm or 865-436-1200.

New Food Pantry now available to neighborhood and surrounding areas twice a month. Every 2nd Thursday of each month we will be giving away non-perishable goods and personal care items. On the 4th Thursday of each month we will be serving a hot meal.

TennGreen Land Conservancy’s sixth annual Hike-a-Thon is taking place during the entire month of April 2026. This month-long competition is free to register and supports the protection of our lands and waters—where people and nature can thrive.

While the Hike-a-Thon benefits Tennessee nature, participants can adventure and compete from anywhere in the world. The event includes numerous individual and team competitions for hikers, paddlers, trail runners, climbers, off-road bikers, nature photographers, and more. The Hike-a-Thon welcomes everyone, whether you're an experienced outdoor adventurer or simply looking for a fun way to spend more time outside.

So many incredible prizes are up for grabs this year! Thanks to generous conservation partners, Hike-a-Thoners can win big—think an Eddyline Kayak, a year of Bongo Java coffee, plus hiking gear and gift cards galore. You’ll also have chances to win unforgettable outdoor experiences, from guided fly fishing with Hellbender Outfitters to a tri-toon boat rental at Wildwood Resort & Marina, or adventure passes to Cumberland Caverns, Foggy Bottom Canoe & Kayak, or the Tennessee Aquarium.

Proceeds from the Hike-a-Thon benefit TennGreen Land Conservancy, a 501(c)(3) environmental nonprofit and the oldest accredited statewide land conservancy in Tennessee.

Next up in our Spring speaker series!

Casey Fox, Director of Impact and Development at the Arts and Culture Alliance, presents “Curiosity as a Career Strategy” at The Emporium.

We’ll talk about what happens when you treat curiosity, rather than specialization, as the guiding force in your creative career.

Casey will discuss how pursuing diverse interests, saying yes to unexpected opportunities, and building strong relationships can shape a meaningful creative trajectory. She’ll also offer a look at how curiosity and creativity can thrive even inside large cultural institutions.

✨ Curiosity as a Career Strategy ✨
Friday, April 17
8:30am Networking
9am-10am Casey's talk, Q&A

FREE EVENT
Light breakfast provided

RSVP: http://bit.ly/483drrK

Co-hosted with Knox Creatives and the Arts and Culture Alliance

TennGreen Land Conservancy’s sixth annual Hike-a-Thon is taking place during the entire month of April 2026. This month-long competition is free to register and supports the protection of our lands and waters—where people and nature can thrive.

While the Hike-a-Thon benefits Tennessee nature, participants can adventure and compete from anywhere in the world. The event includes numerous individual and team competitions for hikers, paddlers, trail runners, climbers, off-road bikers, nature photographers, and more. The Hike-a-Thon welcomes everyone, whether you're an experienced outdoor adventurer or simply looking for a fun way to spend more time outside.

So many incredible prizes are up for grabs this year! Thanks to generous conservation partners, Hike-a-Thoners can win big—think an Eddyline Kayak, a year of Bongo Java coffee, plus hiking gear and gift cards galore. You’ll also have chances to win unforgettable outdoor experiences, from guided fly fishing with Hellbender Outfitters to a tri-toon boat rental at Wildwood Resort & Marina, or adventure passes to Cumberland Caverns, Foggy Bottom Canoe & Kayak, or the Tennessee Aquarium.

Proceeds from the Hike-a-Thon benefit TennGreen Land Conservancy, a 501(c)(3) environmental nonprofit and the oldest accredited statewide land conservancy in Tennessee.