We work to increase the public's awareness of land management issues through events which are fun, educational, and inspirational. The Clinch Coalition believes there are no greater gifts we can share with future generations than clean air, clean water, richness in plant and animal species worldwide, and the ethic of stewardship for our planet. On the weekend of our 2007 High Knob Naturalist Rally, several of us stumbled across a young couple who had just become engaged on Bear Rock.  The couple had chosen to cement their vows to each other while gazing across a beautiful vista of fall leaves and moist valleys, hoping that their lives together would be equally beautiful and timeless. In stark contrast, an arsonist burned down the High Knob Tower on October 31 of the same year, showing complete disregard for a location which has been integral to many people's lives (read related article HERE).  The Clinch Coalition's education program is our attempt to help local residents feel ownership of the National Forest around High Knob so that vandalism and other unsustainable activities will diminish and eventually cease.

Boy with newts at the 2007 High Knob Naturalist Rally.   Photo credit: Richard Kretz

• an annual art and essay contest for children, grades K-12 (photos HERE, 2010)
• an annual naturalist rally at Bark Camp Lake (photos HERE)
• photo contests (Past winners-Spring 2009, Winter 2009, Spring 2008, Summer 2008, Fall 2008) 
• presentations at community organization meetings
• fun and educational hikes (see photos of past hikes: The Channels, Phillips Creek, Clinch Mountain Preserve)
• environmental film festivals (Information & photos here)

A corn snake was one of the highlights at the 3rd Annual Naturalist Rally in 2009.

If you would like to schedule a presentation for your group about the uniqueness of High Knob, our organization, or any of our programs, please contact: