• A curve along the Natchez Trace Parkway with fall colors

    Natchez Trace

    Parkway AL,MS,TN

There are park alerts in effect.
show Alerts »

  • Sequestration Effects on the Parkway

    On March 1, 2013, the Parkway was required to reduce its annual budget by five percent, in accordance with the sequestration provision of the Budget Control Act of 2011. Click the link to learn about visitor center, restroom, and services impacts. More »

  • Portion of National Scenic Trail Near Tupelo Closed to Hikers

    Part of the Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail (NOT the Parkway) near Tupelo, MS, has been closed until 2015 due to construction under Tupelo's Major Thoroughfare Construction Project. Parkway travelers may expect delays, but no detours are expected. More »

Alien Species Lesson Plans

The lesson plans below contain curriculum standards that address exotic species found along the Natchez Trace Parkway and the Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail.

Alabama:

6th and 7th grades: PAIA- Alien Invasion
Summary: On a National Scenic Trail (may be adapted to other locations) students will investigate how privet, a non-native plant species, out-competes and affects native plant species diversity.

7th-12th grades: What's Happenin' on the Trace?
Summary: The students will investigate current events associated with the Natchez Trace Parkway. They will write a journalism type report and/or develop a visual presentation. Subject areas may include: community events or issues, plants, animals, invasive species, boundary issues, social issues and environmental issues.

High School: PAIB -Alien Invasion HS
Summary: The students will investigate current events associated with the Natchez Trace Parkway. They will write a journalism type report and/or develop a visual presentation. Subject areas may include: community events or issues, plants, animals, invasive species, boundary issues, social issues and environmental issues.

Mississippi:

6th-12th grades: What's Happenin' on the Trace?
Summary: The students will investigate current events associated with the Natchez Trace Parkway. They will write a journalism type report and/or develop a visual presentation. Subject areas may include: community events or issues, plants, animals, invasive species, boundary issues, social issues and environmental issues.

High School: PAIB -Alien Invasion HS
Summary: The students will investigate current events associated with the Natchez Trace Parkway. They will write a journalism type report and/or develop a visual presentation. Subject areas may include: community events or issues, plants, animals, invasive species, boundary issues, social issues and environmental issues.

Tennessee

High School:
PAIA- Alien Invasion (short version)
Summary: On a National Scenic Trail (may be adapted to other locations) students will investigate how privet, a non-native plant species, out-competes and affects native plant species diversity.

PAIB Alien Invasion (long version)
Summary: The students will investigate current events associated with the Natchez Trace Parkway. They will write a journalism type report and/or develop a visual presentation. Subject areas may include: community events or issues, plants, animals, invasive species, boundary issues, social issues and environmental issues.

What's Happenin' on the Trace?
Summary: The students will investigate current events associated with the Natchez Trace Parkway. They will write a journalism type report and/or develop a visual presentation. Subject areas may include: community events or issues, plants, animals, invasive species, boundary issues, social issues and environmental issues.

 

An additional educational resource for exotic species education is Aliens in Your Neighborhood (http://www.nps.gov/invspcurr/alienhome.htm). This curriculum addresses key national strategies for dealing with invasive plant species, enabling students to become working partners with their national parks as citizen scientists. The curriculum presents engaging units on the theme of invasive species for middle school classes. Aliens in Your Neighborhood was developed as an enhancement to required curriculum about the life sciences, especially plant science. The activities provide opportunities for students to practice math, writing, mapping, photography, and collecting and preserving plant specimens.

Did You Know?

Emerald Mound, Mississippi

Emerald Mound is the largest Mississippian Period ceremonial mound along the Natchez Trace Parkway, and covers nearly eight acres.