In June 2025, Paddle Georgia will commemorate its 20th anniversary with a unique canoe and kayak journey traversing Georgia, Tennessee, and Alabama. This week-long adventure will bring over 300 paddlers to explore the Tennessee River basin, with the final five days highlighting the Tennessee RiverLine—a 652-mile continuous system of outdoor recreation experiences.

The Tennessee RiverLine has been awarded a $500,000 Area Development grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) and Tennessee’s Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD). This funding will power the development of a comprehensive set of Planning and Design Standards that will shape and support river experience amenities along the Tennessee River’s entire 652-mile stretch, benefiting residents and visitors alike.

The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) recently celebrated the graduation of 40 fellows from its Appalachian Leadership Institute (ALI), representing 13 states across the Appalachian region. Among the distinguished graduates is Brad Collett, Tennessee RiverLine executive director and professor at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Collett’s participation enhances UT Extension’s capacity to support community development initiatives through the Tennessee RiverLine.

In a strategic alliance initiated in January 2021, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, established themselves as principal partners in the creation of the Tennessee RiverLine – North America's next great regional trail system, spanning 1.2 million acres of interconnected river experiences – as an initiative of UT Extension. TVA has renewed its commitment, solidifying its dedication to the Tennessee RiverLine's transformative vision. Over the past three years, the initial investment has yielded remarkable results, leaving an indelible mark on the Tennessee RiverLine and the communities along its banks.

The Tennessee RiverLine announces Lawrence County, Alabama; Calloway County, Kentucky; and Dayton, Tennessee, as the 2024 cohort of the Tennessee RiverTowns Program. Now comprised of 22 enrolled communities, the Tennessee RiverTowns Program has expanded with these new additions, each shaping their local vision for the Tennessee RiverLine.

After seven years of dedicated service leading the Tennessee RiverLine initiative as part of his teaching and research activity as a University of Tennessee faculty member, Brad Collett has officially assumed the role of Executive Director, marking a significant milestone for the initiative. This appointment, made by UT Extension, signifies a pivotal moment in the initiative's evolution, allowing Collett to transition into a full-time leadership position and intensify his focus on organizational and partnership development.

The Tennessee RiverLine is pleased to announce its collaboration with the UT One Health Initiative, which has recently bestowed a seed grant to fund a multidisciplinary research project aimed at safeguarding the health of the Tennessee River. This investment underscores our commitment to supporting endeavors that address the complex challenges impacting the health of our waterways.

The UT One Health Initiative's 2023 Multidisciplinary Research Seed Grant Program has awarded three grants, each totaling $40,000, to teams employing a One Health approach. This innovative strategy brings together diverse disciplines to tackle multifaceted issues, aligning seamlessly with the Tennessee RiverLine's stewardship priorities. The Tennessee RiverLine provided funding to support one of the three awarded grants. 

The Kentucky Recreation and Parks Society honored the Paducah-McCracken County Tennessee RiverLine program with the Outstanding Program Award – Class 4 for its free paddling events.

From June through October, the community could register for a single or tandem kayak for a river experience of nearly five miles from Clarks River Landing and ending at the Foot of Broadway on the Ohio River in downtown Paducah.

The Paducah-McCracken County Tennessee RiverLine program is a partnership among the Tennessee RiverLine organization, the City of Paducah, McCracken County, and local partner agencies. 

Local Leadership Teams from all Tennessee RiverTowns Program enrollees are invited to nominate one qualifying river access amenity in their community for the Shared Access Community Impact Grant. Selected nominees will collaborate with the Tennessee RiverLine’s Planning & Design group and local partners to develop site enhancement and project funding plans. Eligible projects may receive up to $40,000 in grant funding toward implementation.

Brad Collett, director of the Tennessee RiverLine initiative of the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, is one of 40 fellows from 13 states chosen for the 2023-2024 Class of the Appalachian Leadership Institute.

Through the Appalachian Leadership Institute developed by the Appalachian Regional Commission, Collett and the other fellows will participate in seminars and best practice reviews from October 2023 to July 2024. The purpose is to help professionals from various sectors, including tourism, healthcare, education and civil service, improve and enhance leadership and economic development opportunities across the Appalachian region. Fellows submitted an application in a competitive process to be considered.