Environmental Education Funding: Nashville’s Friends of Warner Parks raised money at the 64th annual Swan Ball to expand its Nature Discovery Program across Metro Parks’ 26 centers, with hands-on learning for kids plus support for trails and the Warner Parks Nature Center. Wildlife Protection in Policy: A federal court move blocks a coal loophole that would have weakened Endangered Species Act harm checks, pushing mines to fully account for impacts to protected plants and animals. Local Sustainability Program: Clarksville-Montgomery County’s Green Certification Program welcomed organizations for 2026 recertification, highlighting waste reduction and resource-saving practices. Endangered Species Act & Coal: The court ruling is framed as a win for Appalachia’s streams, rivers, and wildlife. Community Conservation Grants: A Western North Carolina foundation approved $130,000 in focus area grants, including support for protecting habitat tied to the Little Tennessee River basin. Heat & Storm Context: Mid-South weather coverage continues to warn about rising heat and storm risks, underscoring the need for preparedness.