Scenic Roots

"Scenic Roots" offers conversations that matter in the heart of Chattanooga and the Tennessee Valley.From the mountains to the river, our conversations are rooted deep within every corner of our community - reflecting who we are, who we were and who we can become.We engage with the news that affects our community, behind and beyond the headlines. We build bridges that span from creators and innovators to storytellers and the outdoors. We focus on our challenges as many communities in one - as we celebrate what inspires us. We resonate with countless voices - in words and spaces, sounds and songs.We are "Scenic Roots."Ray Bassett hosts and produces "Scenic Roots" at WUTC.

A Bold Pack Of Ecological Engineers In “Beaverland”

WUTC

Published April 18, 2023 at 1:43 PM EDT

Leila Philip and the cover of “Beaverland.”

Beavers are crafty, consequential animals.

They have shaped the history of this country, they loom large in our legends - and they are engineering our ecosystem at this very moment, including in our own backyard.

Leila Philip writes about them in her recent book, “Beaverland: How One Weird Rodent Made America.”

Next month, Leila will visit Chattanooga.

On Thursday, May 18th, she will speak at The Camp House, starting at 5:30 PM.

The day before, she will be at Reflection Riding Arboretum and Nature Center, for paddling trips on Lookout Creek to glimpse a beaver dam.

I spoke with Leila - and Mark McKnight, president and CEO of Reflection Riding.