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Here's a great new environmental education project over in Springbrook Park. On our evening walks over there we had noticed some work going on around the stream near the footbridge on the lower end of the park. A couple of days ago we found out what they were doing when they installed this sign.

Lots of native plants and trees now line the stream banks to demonstrate ways to protect riparian habitat from runoff and erosion caused by nearby development.

The sign has a wonderful painting by Leah Gardner of the UT Environmental Landscape Design Lab with a key depicting the various species that were planted, including Ironwood, Sycamore, American Beech, Hearts-a-bustin', Cherokee Sedge, Swamp Milkweed, River Oats, and lots more.

It's a good thing they have a guide, because I wouldn't be able to identify more than a couple of these plants and trees.

The sign also explains stream buffers and how they help protect the environment, and what you can do to help protect stream water quality with plantings in your yard.

We're not sure who organized the project, but according to the sign the cooperating partners are the City of Alcoa, the City of Maryville, Blount County, the National Fish and Wildlife Federation, the Blount County Soil Conservation District, TVA, the UT Environmental Landscape Design Lab, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Little River Watershed Association, the Little River Water Quality Forum, the ALCOA Foundation, and the EPA.

Stop by and check it out the next time you're over in Springbrook Park.