The mountains, lakes, rivers and streams in the 125-counties of the Tennessee Valley are a haven for many diverse forms of outdoor recreation, and a new University of Georgia study aims to make these lands even more accessible to the public.

In a 376-page report commissioned by the Tennessee Valley Authority, researchers from UGA’s Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources have recommended that the agency build more nature trails, picnic areas, campsites and nature-viewing opportunities in its parks and natural areas while also focusing more on the region’s growing African-American and Hispanic populations.

“We are catering to a more diverse population that has more diverse needs and at the same time has different expectations,” said assistant professor Gary Green, who co-authored the study with graduate student Heather Fleming. “People want more information, greater choices and better access.”

The Tennessee Valley is the drainage basin for the Tennessee River. The valley begins in the mountains of Southwest Virginia, moves south into Western North Carolina and East Tennessee and then into north Georgia and Alabama before taking a gradual turn to the northwest into Western Kentucky. TVA manages 49 dams in the region to generate electricity, but the land and water also present significant recreational opportunities such as hiking, fishing, boating and nature-watching.

TVA recreation manager Jerry Fouse called the study, “one of the most exhaustive analyses of outdoor recreation ever prepared for the 125-counties of the Tennessee Valley.”

“It will help guide us on the future use of these lands and enhance recreational activities,” Fouse said.

To create their recommendations, the UGA researchers examined regional, state and multi-county demographics and data from the USDA Forest Service’s National Survey on Recreation and the Environment, the nation’s largest survey on outdoor recreation participation and trends.

Green and Fleming recommend that TVA establish specific outreach programs to the region's growing African-American and Hispanic populations and focus more on the needs of families and older residents. All residents, the study suggests, could benefit from more non-strenuous nature trails and paths, more picnic areas and facilities, larger open areas and greater diversity in recreational opportunities.

The researchers note that Hispanics are the third largest and fastest growing ethnic group in the region. Consequently, one suggestion is that TVA create bilingual print materials and informational signs.

The researchers found that Hispanics usually participate in large family oriented recreational activities. As a result, they recommend that TVA build large covered pavilions, create more open natural areas and improve access for all populations.

The study also notes that residents ages 65 and older are a growing segment of the region’s population. To better accommodate older adults, Green and Fleming suggest that the TVA build more accessible foot trails, wheelchair accessible nature trails and campsites as well as sightseeing outlooks and interpretive nature centers.

The study examined the most popular recreational activities among residents and found that, overall, walking was the most popular activity (80.1 percent of residents). In certain regions, gardening and landscaping for pleasure was the most popular activity (74.6 percent). More than 50 percent of participants said they enjoy outdoor sporting events and 60 percent enjoy viewing or photographing natural scenery.

Fouse said TVA use will use this report when developing recommendations on land-use plans in coming years.

Green is currently working on a similar study for the Georgia Department of Natural resources, and praised both the Georgia DNR and TVA for making the needs of the public a priority.

“Public land managers are actively trying to seek out public input to find the best use for their areas,” Green said. “It’s a case of listening to what the public wants and managing for their needs, whereas historically, a lot of park management has been based upon what the land managers thought was best for their public.”