Participation Type
Poster
Session Title
Rocky Fork State Park: Engaging Community Voices in Natural Resource Conservation and Cultural Heritage in a Southern Appalachian State Park
Session Abstract or Summary
Described as a community “playground” by local residents, East Tennessee’s Rocky Fork State Park (RFSP) in Unicoi County was a community asset long before becoming Tennessee’s newest State Park in 2012. Indeed, Rocky Fork’s natural resources have offered local residents recreational (hiking, swimming, fishing, hunting) and economic (logging) opportunities for decades. Following land ownership transition from logging company to State Park, local residents and park rangers are taking measures to ensure the economic prospects of cultural heritage tourism and ecotourism respect the natural and cultural history and current needs of the community. In this second year of a multi-year project, East Tennessee State University’s Appalachian Teaching Project graduate students collaborated with RFSP rangers and Friends of Rocky Fork (nonprofit) to document and preserve significant aspects of cultural heritage and natural history through ethnographic collection of oral histories and participant-observation at community and RFSP events. Students contribute to efforts of stakeholders in culturally appropriate planning that acknowledges the importance of local participation in the development of RFSP as part of Unicoi County’s continuing efforts toward economic diversification. In so doing, this project bolsters community efforts to ensure RFSP develops as a sustainable resources that both conserves the unique biodiversity and natural features of an Appalachian Cove forest and pristine watershed and provides local residents a guiding voice in the cultural interpretation of their community history. As a result, this project increases awareness of natural resource management, cultural heritage, community-driven development planning, and ecotourism in a Southern Appalachian State Park.
Presentation #1 Title
Rocky Fork State Park: Engaging Community Voices in Natural Resource Conservation and Cultural Heritage in a Southern Appalachian State Park
Presentation #1 Abstract or Summary
Described as a community “playground” by local residents, East Tennessee’s Rocky Fork State Park (RFSP) in Unicoi County was a community asset long before becoming Tennessee’s newest State Park in 2012. Indeed, Rocky Fork’s natural resources have offered local residents recreational (hiking, swimming, fishing, hunting) and economic (logging) opportunities for decades. Following land ownership transition from logging company to State Park, local residents and park rangers are taking measures to ensure the economic prospects of cultural heritage tourism and ecotourism respect the natural and cultural history and current needs of the community. In this second year of a multi-year project, East Tennessee State University’s Appalachian Teaching Project graduate students collaborated with RFSP rangers and Friends of Rocky Fork (nonprofit) to document and preserve significant aspects of cultural heritage and natural history through ethnographic collection of oral histories and participant-observation at community and RFSP events. Students contribute to efforts of stakeholders in culturally appropriate planning that acknowledges the importance of local participation in the development of RFSP as part of Unicoi County’s continuing efforts toward economic diversification. In so doing, this project bolsters community efforts to ensure RFSP develops as a sustainable resources that both conserves the unique biodiversity and natural features of an Appalachian Cove forest and pristine watershed and provides local residents a guiding voice in the cultural interpretation of their community history. As a result, this project increases awareness of natural resource management, cultural heritage, community-driven development planning, and ecotourism in a Southern Appalachian State Park.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #1
Assistant Professor, Department of Appalachian Studies and Assistant Director, Center for Appalachian Studies and Services, East Tennessee State University
Rocky Fork State Park: Engaging Community Voices in Natural Resource Conservation and Cultural Heritage in a Southern Appalachian State Park
Described as a community “playground” by local residents, East Tennessee’s Rocky Fork State Park (RFSP) in Unicoi County was a community asset long before becoming Tennessee’s newest State Park in 2012. Indeed, Rocky Fork’s natural resources have offered local residents recreational (hiking, swimming, fishing, hunting) and economic (logging) opportunities for decades. Following land ownership transition from logging company to State Park, local residents and park rangers are taking measures to ensure the economic prospects of cultural heritage tourism and ecotourism respect the natural and cultural history and current needs of the community. In this second year of a multi-year project, East Tennessee State University’s Appalachian Teaching Project graduate students collaborated with RFSP rangers and Friends of Rocky Fork (nonprofit) to document and preserve significant aspects of cultural heritage and natural history through ethnographic collection of oral histories and participant-observation at community and RFSP events. Students contribute to efforts of stakeholders in culturally appropriate planning that acknowledges the importance of local participation in the development of RFSP as part of Unicoi County’s continuing efforts toward economic diversification. In so doing, this project bolsters community efforts to ensure RFSP develops as a sustainable resources that both conserves the unique biodiversity and natural features of an Appalachian Cove forest and pristine watershed and provides local residents a guiding voice in the cultural interpretation of their community history. As a result, this project increases awareness of natural resource management, cultural heritage, community-driven development planning, and ecotourism in a Southern Appalachian State Park.
