On a sunny afternoon in Knoxville, CFACT collegians Emma Arns and Jude Abernathy gathered a group of fellow students for a hike through the scenic trails of Baker Creek Reserve. With waters, snacks, and flyers in hand, the two student leaders turned a simple outdoor adventure into a meaningful lesson on stewardship and free-market environmentalism.
About fifteen students joined the two-mile hike, which wound its way through the reserve’s rolling hills and woodlands. Along the way, Emma and Jude spoke about the importance of conservation through hunting and the need for reliable, affordable energy sources like nuclear power. The conversations soon grew beyond environmental policy, touching on the broader conservative movement and the values that unite CFACT’s mission.
One participant, Ayden, summed up the spirit of the day when he remarked, “CFACT sounds awesome—I really love your core values of conservation and conservatism.”
The afternoon wasn’t all policy talk, however. The group also enjoyed fellowship, laughter, and even some time at a nearby park, strengthening bonds and building momentum for future activism. The day’s mix of hiking and discussion made clear that protecting nature and upholding conservative ideals aren’t competing goals, but part of the same vision.
Reflecting on their success, Emma remarked, “It was a great event. We had a lot of amazing conversations about the conservation, energy, and the conservative movement as a whole. We even spent some time at the nearby local park ha-ha.”
Thanks to their leadership, a new circle of Tennessee students now sees conservation not as a leftist talking point, but as a shared responsibility rooted in liberty, private stewardship, and good old fashion common sense.
