Thanks to the Fund’s dynamic partnerships in Tennessee, more than 280,000 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 recent flooding in Nashville illustrates how important the strength of natural infrastructure is to the well-being of a community. Read more.

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.

Learn more about our efforts to preserve Rocky Fork.

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

Recent Projects:

City of Brentwood

Our work with the City of Brentwood in Tennessee is a great example of how our efforts can make a real difference in a community. In 2010, we helped the city increase its green space by 50 percent. Brentwood, just 13 miles from downtown Nashville, is one of the most desirable suburban locations to live and work in Middle Tennessee. As the city grows and the number of subdivisions increases, the community is putting conservation first. Find out how we've helped.

Appalachian Trail and Unicoi County

Known as "The Valley Beautiful," Unicoi County includes the 10,000-acre property of Rocky Fork—a mountain haven of forests and streams with more than a mile of Appalachian Trail. The county recently was recognized as an “Appalachian Trail Community” and tourist destination by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy—the first such designation in Tennessee and one of only four along the trail. 

This special recognition is a great example of how the Fund's work creates lasting results. It all began with our Balancing Nature and Commerce course.  Learn more >>

Fiery Gizzard

In 2010, the Fund worked with The Land Trust for Tennessee and the Friends of the South Cumberland State Recreation Area to protect over 6,200 acres of the western bluff of Fiery Gizzard Cove and over a mile and a half of the Fiery Gizzard trail system. Learn More.

Past Projects:

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.