Short Mountain Sanctuary

Short Mountain Sanctuary is a 1,300-acre nature reserve and intentional community located in Tennessee, United States, near the town of Woodbury, Tennessee. The sanctuary is situated on Short Mountain, the highest point in Cannon County, Tennessee, and is surrounded by the Cumberland Plateau and the Great Smoky Mountains. The area is known for its diverse wildlife, including white-tailed deer, wild turkey, and American bald eagle, and is home to several Native American archaeological sites, such as Pinson Mounds State Archaeological Park and Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park. The sanctuary is also close to the Center for Popular Economics and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.

Introduction

The Short Mountain Sanctuary is a unique blend of natural beauty, spiritual growth, and community living, inspired by the principles of Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., and Henry David Thoreau. The sanctuary is home to a diverse community of individuals and families who live and work together to maintain the property and promote sustainable living practices, such as permaculture and organic farming, similar to those found at The Farm (Tennessee) and Twin Oaks (Virginia). The community is also involved in various social and environmental initiatives, including Amnesty International, Greenpeace, and the Sierra Club. Visitors to the sanctuary can participate in a range of activities, including hiking, meditation, and workshops on topics such as yoga, herbalism, and natural building, similar to those offered at Esalen Institute and Omega Institute.

History

The Short Mountain Sanctuary was founded in the 1970s by a group of individuals who were inspired by the counterculture movement and the ideals of simple living and self-sufficiency, similar to those of Walden Pond and Arden, Delaware. The community has a rich history of social and environmental activism, and has been involved in various campaigns and initiatives over the years, including the anti-war movement, the civil rights movement, and the environmental movement, alongside organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union and the National Wildlife Federation. The sanctuary has also hosted numerous events and workshops, featuring speakers such as Noam Chomsky, Howard Zinn, and Starhawk, and has been influenced by the ideas of Buckminster Fuller, E.F. Schumacher, and Ivan Illich.

Geography

The Short Mountain Sanctuary is located in the Cumberland Plateau region of Tennessee, near the town of Woodbury, Tennessee. The sanctuary is situated on Short Mountain, the highest point in Cannon County, Tennessee, and is surrounded by rolling hills, forests, and wildlife habitats, similar to those found in Shenandoah National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The area is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, including oak trees, hickory trees, and wildflowers, such as black-eyed susans and buttercups, and is close to the Tennessee River and the Cumberland River. The sanctuary is also near the Fall Creek Falls State Park and the Savage Gulf State Natural Area.

Facilities and Activities

The Short Mountain Sanctuary offers a range of facilities and activities for visitors, including hiking trails, meditation rooms, and workshops on topics such as yoga, herbalism, and natural building. The community also has a number of sustainable energy systems, including solar power and wind power, and uses organic gardening and permaculture practices to maintain the property, similar to those used at The Land Institute and The Rodale Institute. Visitors can participate in a range of activities, including volunteering and workshops, and can stay in the sanctuary's eco-lodges or camping facilities, similar to those found at Breitenbush Hot Springs and Harbin Hot Springs. The sanctuary is also close to the Tennessee State Parks and the National Park Service.

Conservation Efforts

The Short Mountain Sanctuary is committed to conservation and sustainability, and has implemented a number of initiatives to protect the natural environment and promote ecological balance. The community has established a number of wildlife habitats and nature reserves, and works to protect and restore the local ecosystem, similar to the efforts of the Nature Conservancy and the World Wildlife Fund. The sanctuary also participates in regional and national conservation efforts, including the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and is involved in initiatives such as the Endangered Species Act and the Clean Water Act, alongside organizations such as the Environmental Defense Fund and the National Audubon Society. The sanctuary's conservation efforts are inspired by the work of Aldo Leopold, Rachel Carson, and E.O. Wilson, and are guided by the principles of deep ecology and ecological stewardship.

Category:Protected areas of Tennessee