The Land Trust for the Little Tennessee is hosting a nature walk at Gibson Bottoms at 8:30 a.m. June 9. LTLT Executive Director Paul Carlson will lead the walk.

Gibson Bottoms, a preserved tract along the Little Tennessee River near Franklin, includes extensive river frontage, floodplain and river bluff habitats. The property is a showcase for restoration from riverfront tree planting to open woodland restoration in uplands. Gibson Bottoms was fated to be an RV park before hundreds of Macon County citizens asked the state to halt the permit on the ground of pollution to the river.

LTLT purchased the 36-acre frontage tract from the developer in 2003 and added another 28 acres with a second purchase in 2005. LTLT named the tract Gibson Bottoms for the generations of Macon County families who grew corn, hay and other crops on the land.

It is free for LTLT members, but a donation of $35 is requested for non-members, and it includes a complimentary membership to LTLT. RSVP by contacting This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 828.524.2711 ext. 304.