Thanks to the Fund’s dynamic partnerships in Tennessee, more than 135,000 acres of the state’s special places – essential to outdoor enthusiasts and wildlife alike - will remain unspoiled for the enjoyment of future generations.

Ongoing Projects:

Open Space Plan for Davidson County

Based on our national expertise in green infrastructure planning, Nashville Mayor Karl Dean and The Land Trust for Tennessee selected the Fund to lead a team to develop an Open Space Plan for Davidson County.  The plan will be a roadmap for the strategic conservation and creation of green spaces in an effort to protect the unique landscape of Middle Tennessee. The recent flooding that devastated Nashville illustrates how important the strength of natural infrastructure is to the well-being of a community. Click here to learn about the project.

Rocky Fork

Rocky Fork, Tennessee—a nearly 10,000-acre expanse of forests, trout streams, and mountainous ridges—is the largest unprotected tract of land in the southern Appalachian Mountains.

Click here to learn about our efforts to preserve Rocky Fork.

See images of the beautiful landscape and wildlife that make up Rocky Fork. View gallery >>

Past Projects:

Appalachian Trail Cooridor

The Fund, in cooperation with the USDA Forest Service, the State of Tennessee, and community leaders, acquired the Gulf Tract—6,800 spectacular acres at the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains and adjacent to the Cherokee and Pisgah national forests. Encompassing six miles along the Appalachian Trail, these mountains, forests, and streams also host a significant black bear population and contain native trout.

Bridgestone/Firestone Centennial Wilderness

Thanks to Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc., the state now owns 10,000 acres of unspoiled wilderness along the Caney Fork River at Scott’s Gulf. This breathtaking landscape is characterized by deep gorges, rock outcrops, and class V rapids. The company honored its 100th anniversary by donating 4,000 acres in 1999 and 6,000 acres in 2000 to complete the Bridgestone/Firestone Centennial Wilderness as a gift to the citizens of Tennessee. The Fund holds a conservation easement over the entire 10,000 acres, protecting these lands permanently.

Cumberland Trail State Park

In partnership with the state of Tennessee and the Cumberland Trail Conference, the Fund transferred 5,000 acres from Bowater Incorporated to the state to add to Cumberland Trail State Park. The new parcel contains three striking gorges and is the key to establishing a 230-mile greenway running from Cumberland Gap National Historic Park to Signal Point near Chattanooga.

Duck River Restoration

With lead support from the Tennessee Environmental Endowment, Power Bar, REI, and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the Fund worked with Maury County landowners to restore 100 acres of land and two miles of the riverbank, preventing more than 10,000 tons of soil from entering the Duck River and its tributaries.

Great Smoky Mountains

The Fund and the Foothills Land Conservancy now hold one of the largest conservation easements ever donated by private parties in Tennessee. The 769-acre property provides a two-mile buffer along the southwestern boundary of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, renowned worldwide for its scenic views and abundant wildlife, such as bobcat, black bear, and migrating songbirds. Tennessee’s U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander and his wife, Honey, along with Ruby Tuesday CEO Sandy Beall and his wife, Kreis and other partners made a gift of the easement.

Civil War Battlefield Campaign