Cumberland Mountain State Park is situated on the Cumberland Plateau, a segment of the great upland, which extends from western New York to central Alabama. It is said to be the largest timbered plateau in America. Cumberland Mountain State Park began as part of the greater Cumberland Homesteads Project, a New Deal-era initiative by the Resettlement Administration that helped relocate poverty-stricken families on the Cumberland Plateau to small farms centered on what is now the Cumberland Homestead community. This 1,720-acre park was acquired in 1938 to provide a recreational area for some 250 families selected to homestead on the Cumberland Plateau.

Friends of Cumberland Mountain State Park Awarded Iris Fund Grant

The Friends of Cumberland Mountain along with Cumberland Mountain State Park recently received a grant from the Iris Fund. The state derives Iris funds from purchases of the specialty license plate which features the state flower, the Blue Iris. The purpose of the Cumberland Mountain State Park Educational Demonstration Project is to create a native plant garden that will sustain a beautiful living landscape that will attract pollinators, birds and other native wildlife. The garden’s educational value and ecological impact will be taught through signage and interpreters, using the garden as an outdoor classroom.

The State Park staff will work closely with the Friends of Cumberland Mountain State Park as well as the Obed Watershed Community Association (OWCA) and Obed Forest Gardens to implement the two phases of this project.

The following provides a brief overview:

Phase 1 – ADA/Storybook Trail: Selection of native shrubs, flowering plants and ground cover is the first priority. New plantings at the trail head and along the trail will greatly enhance this popular trail. Also, an additional bench will be added as well as a new sign explaining the project steps.

Phase 2 – Native Garden Project: Aggressive invasive plant removal will begin this fall in the area reserved for the hybrid chestnut seedlings near Shelter One. New plants will be chosen that attract pollinators, birds and other native animals.

The Park will also provide educational programs on: the value of native plants to the local ecosystem; harm by nonnative invasive plants; and those plants that support pollinators.

These are labor intensive projects and the public is encouraged to volunteer and participate in this worthwhile project that will have an impact on the Park for many years to come.

For more information on FCMSP and to volunteer, email Friends.CMSP@gmail.com or see our Web page CMSPFriends.com

To learn more about the Iris Fund Project please go to:
https://digital.tnconservationist.org/publication/?i=686783&article_id=3837105&view=articleBrowser

Friends of CMSP raise money solely for the benefit of the park.
For more information on the Friends Group and projects, they have completed click the tab at the top of the page.

HOW TO DONATE: Click the PayPal donate button to the left, enter the amount you wish to donate and required personal info, and submit. It’s that simple. Friends of Cumberland Mountain State Park give 100% of the donations to the park. We appreciate your love and support for Cumberland Mountain. All transactions are secure through PayPal.