“It’s Time to Meet the Moment” workshop focuses on challenges facing parks community
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Conservation experts, professionals, faculty members and students gathered in Knoxville to focus on challenges facing U.S. national parks and public lands during the 2026 George Wright Society (GWS) ParkForum.
The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture hosted this year’s workshop titled, “It’s Time to Meet the Moment.” The 130 participants included representatives from the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the National Parks Conservation Association, the Tennessee Valley Authority and the Park Institute of America, and students and faculty from several universities.
“It’s no secret that the conservation community is facing an extraordinary moment in history,” said Dave Harmon, executive director of the George Wright Society. “It is more important than ever for the parks community to come together to share insights, successes, problems and experiences.” Ryan Sharp, UT professor of outdoor recreation and park management in the School of Natural Resources, helped host the workshop. He added that the community is determined to work harder than ever to protect natural and cultural heritage.
The GWS ParkForum featured plenary sessions ranging from the Tennessee RiverLine to protecting karst landscapes and groundwater flow systems in Tennessee. Breakout sessions included discussions on “Leave No Trace,” visitor use monitoring and book talks with authors. A student summit looked at the issues future conservation leaders will face. Some participants also enjoyed a visit to the McClung Museum of Natural History and Culture on the UT Knoxville campus and field trips through Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Founded in 1980, the mission of the George Wright Society is to serve as the premier organization supporting parks, protected areas, historic sites, traditional cultural properties and the people who interpret, manage and protect them. The conference was held October 19-22 in downtown Knoxville.
The UT School of Natural Resources focuses on a mastery learning approach, emphasizing practical, hands-on experiences. The school’s faculty, staff and students advance the science and sustainable management of our natural resources through various programs of the UT Institute of Agriculture.
The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture is comprised of the Herbert College of Agriculture, UT College of Veterinary Medicine, UT AgResearch and UT Extension. Through its land-grant mission of teaching, research and outreach, the Institute touches lives and provides Real. Life. Solutions. to Tennesseans and beyond. utia.tennessee.edu.