Opportunities From: Tennessee State Parks

Come learn about some of the invasive plant species in Tennessee and help us remove invasives along our Bunkum Cave Loop Trail. This program is intended for ages 16 and up and is perfect for getting TN Promise Hours and for those wanting volunteer in Tennessee State Parks and gain experience removing invasives. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

For this removal we will be focusing on Chinese privet and multiflora rose. SIR Kandace will meet everyone at Bunkum Cave Loop Trailhead to go over how to identify these invasive species, discuss the plan of action, and address safety precautions before you receive your equipment.

Volunteers will want to wear comfortable and protective clothes. Choose a breathable material and make sure to wear sturdy and comfortable shoes. Also wear sun protection, bug spray, and bring plenty of water. Bring work gloves if you have them, if not we can provide them for the duration of the event. We will have some equipment available to use, but please feel free to bring your own loppers and/or shovels if you would like to. Restrooms are located at the museum across the street and there is a water fountain by the trailhead. To prepare more for this program please see the Essential Eligibility Criteria below. In the event of inclement weather this event will be cancelled.

Program participants will need to be able to do the following independently or with assistance of a companion or adaptive equipment: • Understand and follow directions to avoid and/or manage risks. • Tolerate the elements including temperature for 1-5 hours (depends on volunteer commitment). • Perform self-care including maintaining nutrition and hydration, personal hygiene, and managing existing medical conditions. • Be able to identify and recognize environmental risks, including potential hazardous animals, insects, and slippery terrain. • Move over uneven, packed soil terrain for 0.50 mile for Storybook trail or 1.25 miles for Bunkum Cave Loop trail. • Engage in service-learning projects such as building, digging, lifting, painting, construction, and clean-up for up to 5 (five) hours depending on volunteer commitment. • Wear all protective gear recommended or required for the work/service, including but not limited to protective eyewear, face mask or shield, gloves, helmet, footwear. • Work responsibly and reliably with minimal supervision and/or on a team. Should you need additional assistance to participate; please contact the park office.

We are looking for people to assist us with our living history school day event. The park needs people to walk school groups around to different historical stations on Friday, May 5th.

The day will start at 9:00 a.m. and end at 11:00 a.m. and the second tour will start at 12:00 p.m. and end at 2:00 p.m. Visitors will be able to interact with our living historians and interpreters to learn what it was like for families, like the Hulls, who lived in Tennessee during the 1870s.
Activities that will take place on this day include blacksmithing, fiber spinning, planting crops for the summer, woodworking. and much more. As you make your way around the park and speak with our resident farmers, you will learn that nothing came easy and everything had to be earned. We hope that by attending this event and immersing yourself in the early life of Cordell Hull and his family, you will learn how the small farm he grew up on in rural Pickett County, Tennessee came to shape his character later in life.

You must demonstrate an 1870s trade or profession. This is a juried event, so your clothing and any items used in your demonstration must be 1870s.

Description/Purpose: We are looking for an enthusiastic individuals to help us maintain our historical kitchen and herb garden here at Cordell Hull Birthplace! As a volunteer gardener, you will assist in maintaining the historical outdoor kitchen and herb gardens so we can inspire and delight visitors with quality plants and teach them the history of the site through these gardens.

Responsibilities: Work with park rangers and other seasonal staff to maintain our historical kitchen and herb gardens adjacent to the Hull Birthplace Cabin.

Required Skills/Tasks: Watering, weeding, tilling, able-bodied, and willing to teach and learn, willing to take guidance, enjoy being outdoors, advanced gardening knowledge is preferred.

Time Commitment and Schedule Details: We are open seven days a week from 9AM until 4:30PM, we are flexible on the days you are able to come and the hours you are willing to volunteer. This volunteer opportunity will be ongoing from April until the end of September.

Additional Information: Being flexible and able to work in various gardens. Water, gloves and tools will be provided by the park, but feel free to bring your own if you'd like! Be sure to wear appropriate/comfortable clothing and call the park office at 931-864-3247 if you are interested or have any questions!

Essential Eligibility Criteria: Herb and Kitchen Garden Program

Participants will need to be able to do the following independently or with assistance of a companion or adaptive equipment:

• Understand and follow directionsto avoid and/or manage risks.

• Tolerate the elements including temperature for 1-5 hours (depends on volunteer commitment).

• Preform self-care including maintaining nutrition and hydration, personal hygiene, and managing existing medical conditions.

• Be able to identify and recognize environmental risks, including potential hazardous animals, insects, and slippery terrain.

• Move over uneven terrain between the park office, herb garden, and kitchen garden up to 0.25 miles or 1,320 feet depending on garden bed.

• Wear all protective gear recommended or required for the work/service, including but not limited to protective eyewear, face mask or shield, gloves, helmet, footwear.

• Work responsibly and reliably with minimal supervision and/or on a team.

Join Our Invasive Plant Removal Volunteer Program!

Help protect native ecosystems and restore the natural beauty of our local habitats by joining our Invasive Plant Removal Volunteer Program! This hands-on conservation effort focuses on removing invasive plant species that threaten the health and diversity of our environment.

What We’ll Be Removing:

Privet (Ligustrum spp.)

Japanese Stiltgrass (Microstegium vimineum)

Johnson Grass (Sorghum halepense)

Multiflora Rose (Rosa multiflora)

Honeysuckle (Lonicera spp.)

These non-native species outcompete native plants, degrade wildlife habitat, and disrupt natural ecological processes. Your help will make a real difference in preserving the local environment for future generations!

What to Expect:

Training and tools will be provided

Light to moderate physical activity

Opportunities to learn about native and invasive plant species