Hi Jennifer,

I went last weekend with my sister to the Hiawassee Refuge. . It was really
something to see thousands of these cranes.

Mary


At 04:07 PM 2/5/2004 -0500, Jennifer Hoff wrote:
>12th Annual Cherokee Heritage and Sandhill Crane Viewing Day
>
>Saturday, February 7, 2004
>
>Hiawassee State Wildlife Refuge and
>
>Birchwood School
>
>The Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge is a jewel set on the banks of the Tennessee
>River at the confluence the Hiwassee River.  At this unique location,
>thousands of Cherokee Indians crossed the river on their way west on the
>Trail of Tears.  It is also the location where 50,000 or more Sandhill
>cranes stop on their fall and spring migrations.  Visitors have viewed
>more Sandhill cranes here than at any other location in North America.
>Most of the Hiwassee State Wildlife Refuge is reserved for the Cranes, and
>plans are in place to create a nearby Cherokee Memorial and Park.
>
>On February 7 of 2004, the nearby Birchwood School will host the Cherokee
>Heritage and Sandhill Crane Viewing Day, with speakers, performers, and
>exhibits relevant to both the Cherokee history of the area, and the visit
>of the Sandhill cranes.  Past presenters have included representatives of
>the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency,
>the Tennessee Ornithological Society and other cultural and
>conservationist organizations.  As this is an all day event food and
>beverages will be available for purchase from the Birchwood PTA.
>
>In addition to the cranes, visitors could possibly see Bald Eagle,
>Whooping Cranes, and several other species of birds. Members of the
>Tennessee Ornithological Society will be on hand at the Refuge with
>telescopes and binoculars, in order to enhance the viewing
>experience.  Due to extremely heavy visitation during this event, visitors
>are encouraged to park at Birchwood School and ride the shuttle bus to the
>crane viewing site.
>
>For additional information, contact Meigs County Tourism at 423-334-5850.
>
>
>***********************************************
>Jennifer Hoff
>Grant Consultant
>
>Office of Grants and Program Review, Dept. 4905
>The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
>615 McCallie Avenue
>Chattanooga, TN 37403
>
>Phone:  423-425-4168
>Fax:  423-425-4052
>Email:  [log in to unmask]
>Website: http://www.utc.edu/Grants-and-Research
>*************************************************

Mary Coleman
Administrative Assistant
Political Science, DEPT. 6356
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
615 McCallie Avenue
Chattanooga, TN 37403-2598
423/425-4281
FAX: 423/425-2373