The Scoop: Earth Day Edition

April 22, 2025

It’s April, and today is Earth Day! Elk used to be plentiful in Appalachia, and thanks to conservation efforts, they have been reestablished with more than 10,000 elk in the Kentucky and Tennessee region. You can also see a live feed of the elk from the Hatfield Knob Elk Viewing Tower in Campbell County.

Sycamore Than You Knew

Federal Funding ~ Earlier this month, we released an interactive dashboard showing how much federal money Tennessee received in FY 2024. Users can filter by each county or by federal agency.
Annual Forum ~ On May 8, Sycamore will host our 2nd Annual Forum with Samar Ali and Marianne Wanamaker in Nashville. Tickets are on sale through May 1, so secure your spot today!
Housing Zoom ~ We are hosting a Zoom this Thursday where our research team will share their latest housing findings, and attendees will be able to share their input on what we should explore next. Registration is free, but required.

Not From Around Here

County Economies ~ The USDA recently released their Economic Typology Codes, showing key economic industries by county. Tennessee has two high farming-concentration counties, two high recreation-concentration counties, and 29 high manufacturing-concentration counties.
Good Pup ~ In Lebanon, TN, a Golden Retriever named Zoie helped save a missing toddler earlier this month. The usually calm dog alerted her owner to the toddler’s presence through frantic barking.
Foster Care ~ “The statehouse voted unanimously to pass the Foster Care Youth Bill of Rights, which guarantees all kids in foster care access to an education, medical care and a safe environment, free from abuse, neglect and pests. The bill also ensures that foster care kids can report abuse without fear of punishment.”
Flood Protection ~ After nearly a foot of rain led to floods in Bogota, TN, about 58 of the town’s 100 homes were destroyed. A week before the storms, one family built a levee around their home, which saved their home and allowed them to wait for the waters to recede, which took about a week.

Rated G for Graphic

Dusting Off the Archives

In honor of Earth Day, this 2018 brief explains the four drivers of health. One of those factors is the physical environment, which “encompasses the natural and built environments — including transportation systems, buildings, and public resources.”