Tennessee Wildcast

Get ready for an episode of Tennessee WildCast that’s buzzing with excitement! Host Jason Harmon and co-host Mime Barnes bring you the scoop on a groundbreaking conservation triumph: the reintroduction of the Red-cockaded Woodpecker (RCW) to Tennessee! Join us as we dive into this inspiring project with experts Sam King, Natural Areas Program Manager at TDEC, and David Haney, a Bird Conservation Coordinator with TWRA. Together, they unravel the story of how a project to save the rare white fringeless orchid sparked a bold mission to bring back this iconic woodpecker, absent from Tennessee since the 1980s.Discover the RCW’s unique charm—its striking white cheek patches, vibrant red crest, and fascinating clan-like family dynamics. Learn why the ancient shortleaf pines of Savage Gulf’s 16,000-acre wilderness are the perfect home for this threatened species, and how meticulous habitat restoration, prescribed burns, and artificial nest cavities are setting the stage for their return by Fall 2028. This isn’t just