Friends of Erwin National Fish Hatchery

10/14/2026

We will be doing a fall cleanup work day at the Hatchery on Saturday, November 7th at 10am. Tools will be provided. Depending on the number of volunteers, the work should only take two or three hours. Forecast calls for cooler weather, which is perfect for working in the gardens. Please join us!

09/05/2026

The Hatchery has some fascinating history, including this bit of information. Want to learn more? Join the Friends of Erwin National Fish Hatchery.

Erwin National Fish Hatchery has been producing trout since 1897. During the early days of the hatchery fish were transported using train cars rather than stocking trucks, like this one stopped in front of Buffalo Mountain here in Erwin.

09/05/2026

Summer is waning but there is still beauty to be found. Just a few shots from today in the pollinator gardens at the Hatchery.

08/14/2026

One more piece of the puzzle at the Hatchery.

Bats are an essential part of our ecosystems, helping to control pests like mosquitos, pollinate flowers, and disperse seeds throughout the forest. Several species of bats call Erwin National Fish Hatchery home, including the Big brown bat, eastern red bat, hoary bat, silver haired bat, gray bat, little brown bat, northern long eared bat, Indiana bat, evening bat, and tri-colored bat! Staff at Erwin National Fish Hatchery are working to improve bat habitat at the hatchery by providing artificial roosts for the bats.

08/11/2026

More exciting news from the Hatchery.

Erwin National Fish Hatchery partners with the University of Tennessee Tree Improvement Program to serve as a seed source for the native American Plum. This partnership will provide high-quality, locally adapted seeds and seedlings to support restoration efforts in the surrounding area, and help to restore the American Plum in east Tennessee.

07/09/2026

We’re usually talking flowers and flying things, but let’s not forget why the property we work on is here.

Every year, millions of Americans try their luck at trout fishing. Many of the trout caught in states such as Georgia, North Carolina, New Mexico, Massachusetts, Missouri, and Tennessee began their lives hundreds or even thousands of miles away at Erwin National Fish Hatchery.

06/03/2026

From outward appearances we have been dormant for a while. But like the native plants we work with, don’t be fooled by the apparent lack of progress on the outside during the cooler months. There has been a lot of interesting activity going on that isn’t yet visible. And like the blooms below, more will be available to enjoy soon. In the meantime enjoy these shots of current color at the Hatchery.

12/03/2025

We focus on terrestrial pollinators in our work at the Hatchery, but this version is pretty interesting as well.

A telescope in Chile has captured a stunning new image of the Butterfly Nebula, a grand and graceful cosmic wonder.