Waterfalls over Coal Dust: Transforming The Kentucky Wildlands

As the executive director of The Kentucky Wildlands, Tammie Nazario has been a driving force behind the region's economic pivot from coal to tourism.  With over 800 waterfalls as her office backdrop, Tammie embodies the resilience and spirit of her homeland, and she's here to tell us how her team has managed to carve a trail of hope through these enchanting woods.

Home to mist-shrouded mountains and ancient forests,  this 14,000-square-mile wilderness is a haven for adventure, culture, and tradition.  This episode invites you to explore the diverse ecosystem and rich tapestry that defines this remarkable region, untouched since Daniel Boone's time. Tune in for a deep dive into the mist and mystery of The Kentucky Wildlands.

Takeaways

• The Kentucky Wildlands is a region with untouched natural beauty, including over 800 waterfalls and unique outdoor experiences.
• Transitioning from coal to tourism has been a way to rebound from the economic loss in the region.
• The Kentucky Wildlands Waterfall Trail showcases 17 waterfalls and aims to create connectivity and encourage overnight stays in the region.
• Community support and involvement are crucial for the success of the Kentucky Wildlands and its initiatives.
• Becoming a National Heritage Area will put the Kentucky Wildlands on the national map and bring recognition to the region's cultural and natural heritage.

Chapters

00:00
Introduction to the Kentucky Wildlands

01:06
Personal Journey and Connection to the Region

03:16
Eastern Kentucky Pride and Environmental Initiatives

05:04
Transition from Coal to Tourism

06:26
Kentucky Wildlands Waterfall Trail

09:15
Challenges and Resilience of the Region

10:40
Impact of Declining Coal Industry

13:26
National Heritage Area Recognition

14:53
Community Response and Support

15:22
Kentucky Wildlands Waterfall Trail

16:44
Memorable Experiences and Impact

19:05
Role of National Heritage Area

19:34
Future of the Kentucky Wildlands

20:02
Hidden Gems and Lesser Known Parts of the Region

21:30
Perception and Recognition of the Kentucky Wildlands

22:26
Advice for Transitioning to Sustainable Tourism

23:48
Exciting Projects and Developments

24:18
Voluntourism and Community Involvement

26:15
Personal Passion for Exploration and Promotion

27:14
Favorite Quote and Words of Wisdom

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Transcript

Amelia Old: 0:00

Today we're diving into the untouched beauty of the Kentucky Wildlands. Led by Tammie Nazario, Tammie is the driving force behind transforming this region into a thriving tourism destination. With 22 years dedicated to the Kentucky Wildlands, her passion for Appalachia and commitment to its community shine through. Join us as we explore the transition from coal to tourism, the enchanting Waterfall Trail and the journey towards national heritage area recognition. Get ready to unveil the treasures nestled within the Kentucky Wildlands.

Amelia Old: 0:33

Everyone has a story to tell. We connect and relate to one another when we share our stories. My name is Amelia Old and I am your host of Voices of Inspiration. Join me as I share stories of friends, family and strangers in my everyday life and travels. We will laugh, possibly cry and walk away feeling connected more than ever to those around you and ready to be the change our world needs. Everyone has a story to tell. What's yours? So thank you so much for joining me today. I guess I'd really love to start off from the beginning. Can you tell us a little bit about your personal journey from being raised in Kentucky and how that led to becoming the executive director of the Kentucky Wildlands?

Tammie Nazario: 1:23

Absolutely yeah. So I grew up in Stearns, kentucky. It is definitely a part of the Kentucky Wildlands, and so it's located in McCreary County in the southern part of Kentucky, and I feel like it's just absolutely one of the most beautiful places in the world. I may be a little biased, but in the Kentucky Wildlands area we have over 800 waterfalls, and just in McCreary County alone there are hundreds and arches, and so it's just a nature lovers dream there, and growing up I was part of the latchkey generation, so we just were in the woods all day. We were out on our bikes all day, leave early in the morning, come home late at night, so nature's absolutely always been my favorite. I love all the hiking, the biking, just anytime I can be around water or creek side. Also, I have deep eastern Kentucky roots, so very familiar with the area. But I also saw the challenges throughout the years. You know the devastating flooding that they go through. Just they have a lot of challenges that they faced and they continue to be so resilient, and so I always knew I wanted to somehow serve southern and eastern Kentucky. I just didn't know in what capacity. This opportunity just kind of has fallen in my lab through just a series of events throughout my life. I guess I've been now with the organization. Actually this month is 23 years, so I've been here for a while and started out.

Tammie Nazario: 3:12

The mother organization is Eastern Kentucky Pride, and so Pride started in 1997 cleaning up the waterways in southern and eastern Kentucky, and we do that in various ways. We recruit volunteers. We're very volunteer based. Throughout inception We've recruited half a million volunteers as many as 30,000 in one year to pick up road sides, mountain sides, creek banks, those types of things. So we organize cleanups across the region. We have as many as 500 of those here in the month of April, and we also have a septic tank program where we install septic tanks in low-income homes. Straight pipes have been an ongoing issue in southern and eastern Kentucky forever, and so we, through different partnerships, we've been able to provide sanitary sewer to 30,000 homes. Throughout the years We've removed nearly a million tires from the roadways.

Tammie Nazario: 4:17

So at our 25th year it was like, okay, we have spent all this time cleaning up, now let's showcase it, let's bring people here, and so from that the Kentucky Wildlands was born. So much of our beauty is still natural, it's still untouched. It's, you know, much like the way it could have been when Daniel Boone came through here, so it's just a remarkable place to be. So the Kentucky Wildlands seemed to fit the best, and so that's where we went with that, applied for implementation dollars from the Appalachian Regional Commission, and we're very fortunate to receive that funding. And so we launched the Kentucky Wildlands through many challenges, to say the least.

Tammie Nazario: 5:09

Branding a 42-county region over 14,000 square miles is not easy, and so a lot of work behind the scenes preparing to launch all of those things. And so here we were, ready to go in 2020 and boom, launching a tourism organization when COVID shows up. So we had to take a few steps back. We had to revamp, re-examine our messaging, and it just made perfect sense. Where is the place to social distance when you're in the middle of a pandemic? And it's right in the middle of 14,000 square miles of absolute untouched beauty. We have amazing camping spots here. We have unique stays, everything from yurts to tree houses, to you can stay in a covered wagon. So we just revamped our messaging and we marched forward, and I like to always try to look for the positive in things. Even though COVID was so challenging, it almost was a silver lining for us also once we did that, there is no better place to social distance. So once we took that approach, we moved forward. It was received exceptionally well. We just recently launched our Kentucky Wildlands Waterfall Trail, because one of the goals, one of the main goals of the Kentucky Wildlands is to create connectivity across our region. So in order to create that connectivity, we wanted to start building trails across the region to bring more of those overnight stays and to get people more thinking on the line of staying overnight or spending a weekend here, more so than just day traveling. It has been an incredible success. It's 17 waterfalls across our region.

Tammie Nazario: 7:15

We did build a criteria for these two because, with over 800 throughout our region, it was hard to narrow it down. We have a group of just amazing ambassadors here. They've been with us, most of them since day one, and they're our amazing photographers who provide their talents to us at no charge, because they love this region as much as we all do, and so they came together. They are the I call them the experts in the field and they help us narrow it down. Accessibility was incredibly important. Parking could you find it easily, as there's signage available. So we just we went through a whole line of criteria To narrow this down.

Tammie Nazario: 8:06

We feel like each of them has some of the most unique opportunities that you'll see in a waterfall. For example, yahu Falls it's the tallest waterfall in Kentucky. Kameleon Falls it's the largest waterfall. And, of course, the Niagara of the South love to brag about our moonbow there, and so, yeah, we're very proud about the waterfall trail, but we also hope that if you'll come and see one waterfall, then maybe you'll take a look at what's around. You know, visit some of these other mom and pop stores while you're there, like, for instance, if you visit Princess Falls in Stearns. Travel just a little ways on down the road to the real treasure, and it's Jewel Kids Grocery. You will get the best bologna sandwich you've ever had in your life. You'll get to experience some real Appalachian food pentome beans, cornbread, all homemade right there, and if you're lucky, you'll catch a day of chicken and dumplings.

Amelia Old: 9:09

Growing up with the roots in Kentucky. How does your personal connections to that region influence your dedication to serving the Appalachians through the Kentucky Wildlands?

Tammie Nazario: 9:23

I've saw the struggles throughout this region. I see everything that so many have faced. I know what some of the challenges are, just from growing up and seeing them. The fact that you know we have faced devastating flooding throughout the years, and one of the biggest challenges that we're facing now is, you know, our region has been dependent on the coal industry for decades now, and our region built I mean Appalachia, built this nation, and so all of a sudden, we don't have that industry anymore, and so it was really important to be part of how we, how do we rebound from such an economic loss? And so, taking a look and I think many across the region have done the same thing what was the hanging fruit for us?

Tammie Nazario: 10:19

And it's our natural assets, and so let's you know, for years we used our natural assets to thrive and to grow, and so let's revamp that now and use them again, but just in a different way.

Amelia Old: 10:34

So the decline of the coal economy has been a significant challenge in the region. How did the idea of transitioning from coal to tourism come about and what impact do you think that that has had on the communities that you serve?

Tammie Nazario: 10:53

I can't say for everybody, but I know for us, or for me in particular, it was that I've just known the beauty of our region for so long. I know a lot of it inside out, but then there's also places that I'm finding every day I've never heard of and I've always felt like Eastern Kentucky has kind of been left off the map. When it comes to just being put on the map for having such natural beauty, we have kind of been overlooked for years and I wanted to make sure that I was helping bring it to the life that it needs to be in.

Amelia Old: 11:33

You've been with the organization, like you said, almost 23 years. How have you seen it evolve during that time?

Tammie Nazario: 11:38

Lots of changes, a lot of changes. We're a lot smaller staff now, funding, of course, funding challenges are simply just harder now than they have been in the past, but of course we have made that evolution as we move. We are definitely not leaving behind those other programs. We will continue to do the cleanups. We will continue to improve the water quality through the septic tape program. We'll continue all of those things, but we're going to do it on a more volunteerism opportunity. So we're going to really have a focus on volunteerism in 2024. And so we're putting all the plans together for that.

Tammie Nazario: 12:30

And we also, just because we are such a smaller staff, we're more dependent on the community itself to help us, and so we've just launched an ambassador program, the Kentucky Wildlands Ambassador Program. So we'll rely a lot on those ambassadors to kind of help us when we can't come, some events we won't be able to get to, or when they're out in the nature, then just hashtagging us, sharing that to help get the word out of who is the Kentucky Wildlands. And as we move forward and continue to evolve, in 2024, we will be Kentucky's first national heritage area, so we're incredibly excited about that. We started this process in 2019. It was co-tapion by Congressman Rogers and Senator McConnell, to begin the feasibility study to make us the first national heritage area in Kentucky. There's only 55 throughout the United States, and so we will be one, hopefully, by spring of 2024.

Amelia Old: 13:41

That's exciting. How has the community responded to the way that the organization has evolved over time and all of these different programs that you have? How has the community responded to that?

Tammie Nazario: 13:56

Overall, I think it's very positive. We've had a lot of support as we move forward, even in the building process. We had six town halls because it was community. Buying is the most important thing in order to make this project successful, and so we have tried to keep that as our number one focus through everything that we do. How are we keeping the communities involved, how are we keeping them informed? And so, of course, that became a lot more challenging through COVID. We did continue to have Zoom meetings and those types of things, but the community overall seems very supportive. We had over 350 people attend one of the town halls. We've had plenty of community support coming in through the National Park Service. But we still realize also that the name recognition is something that we've really got to work on. Anytime you're building a new organization, just that name recognition is you've got to get that name out there.

Amelia Old: 15:01

Absolutely. Can you talk a little bit about the Waterfall Trail and that's a new initiative with you guys. What makes that trail unique and how do you think it contributes to the overall tourism initiative in that region?

Tammie Nazario: 15:15

It's unique in that there's not a waterfall trail here, and, of course, we've always heard all about the Burman Trail. The Burman Trail Well, we're more than bourbon and horses in eastern Kentucky, although we are getting some places along the Burman Trail and I'm super excited about that. But we're a little more unique and so what we have is nature and so the Waterfall Trail. That's kind of our prize over here and so very excited about it 17 waterfalls across the region, everything from novice to expert, so there's something for everybody. We wanted to make sure and include that. There are also some handicap accessible trails, so there's some that are just very easy, so you can bring your children along, you can bring your strollers with you and, of course, we've tried to mark those that are pet friendly. But I always encourage everyone to do their own research also.

Amelia Old: 16:21

Can you share a memorable experience that you kind of gone through with your time with the organization over the last almost 23 years? Has there been something that just really stands out?

Tammie Nazario: 16:33

Yeah, I have a few of those. I've had the opportunity to give two people a brand new home who had nothing, and so when you can do that, you're changing not just their life but you're changing generations to come, because their grandchildren are going to have a place to be their children, so that those two will always be incredibly special to me.

Tammie Nazario: 17:03

We've had several you know episodes of just incredible stories where we've replaced or not even replaced. We've added a septic tank to a home that had never had one. One such was an 86 year old woman. So you know, you're changing their life. I've had calls on the other side of it with the Kentucky Wildlands, you know just people sharing how they're doing. They were all sharing how they had no idea this place even existed, and so they received our information and they would call me.

Tammie Nazario: 17:40

And you know, I had one lady I sat on the phone for a couple of hours with one night. She was taking care of her mother. She was in a wheelchair and she was like, you know, we really want to come down, but I have no idea. I've been there before, have no idea how to even start to know where is OK to that would be handicap accessible and she just wouldn't tire out too much. And so I spent, you know, a couple of hours researching and putting her some things together. She came down that weekend. She called me afterward and she was like honey, this was amazing she was. She was just telling me how thankful she was that I had taken that time to spend with her, but more so that she had the opportunity to experience this and it not be a challenge for her, and so I think that's something that we pride ourselves on very deservingly here in southern and eastern Kentucky, as our hospitality is, and it's unmatched.

Amelia Old: 18:44

What role do you see the national heritage area playing in preserving the cultural and national heritage of southern and eastern Kentucky?

Tammie Nazario: 18:54

Well, our culture and heritage is strong, and so a national heritage area is going to put us on that national map of a place to visit, and again, it's one of those things where I feel like we've been overlooked for so long that this will actually put us visible and bring us to the forefront, where I feel like we've deserved to be for a very long time.

Amelia Old: 19:23

How do you envision the future of the Kentucky wildlands?

Tammie Nazario: 19:27

Well, I guess in a very biased way. I hope that it continues to grow. I hope that people continue to buy into it. I hope that eventually we're known as well as the badlands. I just I really see it as a great opportunity. My heart's in it. I've always believed that regionalization is how we have to go. I just hope that it becomes the popular opportunity that it has to be.

Amelia Old: 19:56

Are there any hidden gems or lesser known parts of the area that you're particularly excited for people to discover?

Tammie Nazario: 20:05

Absolutely. We have so many hidden gems. We actually try to try to highlight some of those in our newsletter or quarterly newsletter especially. You know, even some of these waterfalls are hidden gems. The Pine Island Double Falls is just an incredible falls. There's actually two waterfalls that come down together. So I consider that one of the hidden gems. And then, of course, we have so many of our unique places to stay. I think those are hidden gems Our small mom and pop stores, like I mentioned, jewel kids grocery store. That's just like walking back in to the 1950s and it's just incredible. So I think we have a lot of hidden gems throughout our area and we are excited to show those off.

Amelia Old: 20:58

How do you hope that the Kentucky Wildlands will be perceived by a broader audience? So, when you start having more visitors come in and you start getting the recognition that you deserve, how do you hope that this organization and this area that you live and that you've grown up in, how do you hope it'll be perceived?

Tammie Nazario: 21:21

Well, I hope it definitely is positive. And we have seen, we have done, actually, our first visitor study since we launched, and in the first year it showed that we were able to change the perception in a more positive manner by 47%. So that's where we want to go. We want people to come here and be like, oh wow. I've always heard all of these negative stereotypes. This place isn't like that at all, and so that's what we're hoping to achieve.

Amelia Old: 21:57

What advice do you have for other regions looking to transition from declining industries to sustainable tourism?

Tammie Nazario: 22:04

based on your experience, I would definitely take a look at what assets you have readily available. It's always easier to start with something that you have instead of trying to build something new. Definitely bring in the experts in what you're thinking, because I knew absolutely nothing about tourism, so I just I was a wallflower in every tourism conference that I could find, trying to just learn anything and everything I can and to also meet those that were in the industry that might be able to help me, and that's one thing I've been incredibly fortunate with is the Kentucky Wildlands does have an incredible team, so definitely make sure that you're you're relying on those who know what they're doing.

Amelia Old: 22:56

That's really good advice. What excite I mean? You touched on this a little bit, but what other exciting projects and developments can we expect moving forward?

Tammie Nazario: 23:07

Well, we, of course, will continue to work toward becoming the national heritage area. That's going to open up a lot of opportunities for us. We are also working on a signage program that we hope to get off the ground next year. Signage has been a little bit challenging, but we're continuing to work toward that. We will continue to market, but we will also be as we talked about culture and heritage we're going to work toward releasing a culture and heritage trail, just like that of the Kentucky wildlands waterfall trail.

Amelia Old: 23:44

So those are just a few of the things that are coming in twenty twenty four, and it's ever changing with us, so stay tuned now I want to go back just for a moment that you mentioned that you guys are really starting to kind of move into this volunteerism. Can you talk just a little bit more about that and what you would like to see happen and what opportunities that you hope will be available for visitors?

Tammie Nazario: 24:10

Absolutely.

Tammie Nazario: 24:11

One of the best examples for that, I think, is every year we have a cleanup during the month of April.

Tammie Nazario: 24:18

April is spring cleanup month, and one of those cleanups is at Camel and Falls State Resort Park, and so, as we all know, that's one of our largest tourism attractions in our region, and so we have recruited as many as over six hundred volunteers to clean up twenty nine miles of roadway. We remove thousands of bags of trash right before the tourism season starts, so that just they're driving and it's just as beautiful as it should be. And then we also after the flooding season. Then a lot of trash tends to gather at the bottom of the falls, so we remove thousands of bags of all of that from the bottom, also to prepare it for the tourism season. So we would love to see some of those who really want to give back to our environment Use that as an opportunity. Come visit also, stay at the Camel and Falls State Resort Park or the covered wagons are just up the road Go, stay there and then take in, spend a few more days and see what our beautiful area has to offer.

Amelia Old: 25:29

So where can our listeners find you guys online?

Tammie Nazario: 25:34

We are at explore K wild wildlands dot com. We are also on Facebook and Instagram, which you can link to from our website, and, yeah, we and you can sign up for a newsletter to stay updated on everything that we've got going on new opportunities and again, if anybody in southern and eastern Kentucky is listening, our ambassador program. We're taking applications right now to you, so would love to have those come in.

Amelia Old: 26:03

And I will make sure to link to all of your your website and all of your social media profiles in the notes of this episode. Someone who enjoys traveling how has your personal passions for exploration influenced your approach to promoting Kentucky Wildlands as a travel destination?

Tammie Nazario: 26:25

I think, because I've tried, I've been fortunate to be able to travel so much that I saw so many beautiful areas, and it just always, it always stuck in the back of my mind we have this, we have all of this, but people aren't coming to see ours, and why, and so I think that's made it even more important to me to make sure that it gets the marketing attention that it deserves.

Amelia Old: 26:53

Yeah, I agree, I mean I had. It was not familiar with the area prior to connecting with you and I personally am adding it to my own list to visit and I'm very excited to see and hear all of the things that you guys are doing and I can't wait to personally visit. I have one more question and I ask everyone this do you have a favorite quote or any words of wisdom that you would like to share?

Tammie Nazario: 27:21

I think we've all been through so many challenges, the last couple of years especially. It's just to continue to work together, continue to build partnerships. That's as each of us face more and more funding challenges, those types of things. Partnerships are so important, and so that would be probably just my line of advice.

Amelia Old: 27:47

I love that and I think that's incredibly important. Thank you so much for taking the time to chat with me. I really enjoyed learning more about the Kentucky Wildlands and, like I said, I cannot wait to visit.

Tammie Nazario: 27:59

Please do. We can't wait to have you.