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TennGreen Land Conservancy

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Wetlands are one of the most productive and unique habitats in the world. Known as “nature’s kidneys,” they directly impact clean water by slowing the flow of water on a landscape, allowing sediments to be stored. In addition to improving water quality, properly functioning wetlands offer extensive benefits like creating wildlife habitat, providing recreational opportunities such as paddling, fishing, and bird watching, and reducing the prevalence of flooding by storing water.

TennGreen Land Conservancy recognizes the importance of Tennessee’s wetlands and protects them through conservation easements, land acquisitions, and restoration projects.

Learn more about our work in Tennessee via the link in bio.

We had so much fun exploring Maclellan Island in downtown Chattanooga! We were joined by friends from @chattaudubon on our paddling and hiking tour of this unique nature preserve on the Tennessee River. Our group learned about the island's history, discussed efforts to restore native species, and explored nearly one mile of hiking trails.

TennGreen has two more guided paddles coming up, though available spots are disappearing quickly! Learn more and secure your spot for our 6/20 Hatchie River paddle or 7/18 Fancher Falls paddle via the link in bio (Upcoming Events).

Conservation often begins with something simple: someone deciding the place they love is worth protecting. From there, TennGreen helps carry that work forward, turning thoughtful decisions into permanent protection for Tennessee’s land, water, and wildlife.

In spring of 2026, TennGreen joined the Little family of Franklin, @govbilllee, and supporters at Basin Spring in Williamson County for a conservation easement dedication celebrating the permanent protection of 100 acres.

Finalized in 2025, the Basin Spring Conservation Easement ensures the property’s forested ridges, spring-fed waters, and wildlife habitat will remain protected forever.

The dedication also offered a meaningful opportunity to recognize the people behind this achievement and the shared commitment that makes lasting conservation possible in Tennessee.

Read the full recap and see more event highlights via the link in bio.

📸: @ashleighnewnesphotography

Protect the Tennessee outdoors you love by becoming a TennGreen member today!

Membership contributions ensure that we can swiftly protect our vulnerable lands and waters as important conservation opportunities arise. Plus, as a TennGreen member, you’ll join a community of consistent conservationists and receive invitations throughout the year to guided hikes and paddles, exclusive conservation celebrations, special outings, and educational opportunities you won’t find anywhere else in Tennessee!

🌎 View all benefits and become a member via the link in bio.

Here in Tennessee, waterfalls are world-class landmarks. From the Cumberland Plateau to the Smokies and beyond, these icons of nature are woven into the very fabric of our landscape, making for some of the best waterfall hikes on the planet.

We've put together a guide of some of the very best waterfall hikes across the state—organized by difficulty so you can choose your own adventure!

Read our guide via the link in bio. 💦

For more than 20 years, Steven Walsh has helped TennGreen Land Conservancy turn generosity into permanently protected land. As Senior Development Officer, Steven has spent decades working with donors—exemplifying trust, sharing stories, and showing how philanthropy can and does safeguard Tennessee’s most treasured places.

When asked what stands out most from his 20-year journey, Steven doesn’t hesitate. “That a dedicated group of people can make our world a better place,” he says. It’s a belief shaped by years of watching donors, landowners, and conservation partners come together to create lasting impact.

We sat down with Steven to learn more about the memories, places, and people that have defined his time at TennGreen and continue to inspire his work today.

Read the full interview via the link in bio.

To this day, Devilstep Hollow Cave/Head of Sequatchie Springs remains one of our favorite conservation projects. This Tennessee treasure was brought to TennGreen's attention more than a decade ago by, friend and former Board member, Bob Brown. Although the land was far outside of TennGreen's price range, Bob insisted that we pursue it—suggesting that it was so valuable, so historic, and so scenic that it should be a national park.

Read the full conservation story via the link in bio.

This month, Cardwell Mountain was dedicated as Tennessee’s third state archaeological park, the first to be designated in the last 50 years!

The acquisition began in 2021 after this significant landscape was listed for sale and put at great risk. TennGreen, @theconservationfund, and @tn_nature joined together to purchase the 534 acres that would become this new park in partnership with the State.

Perched atop the rolling valleys of Warren County, Cardwell Mountain is one of the most important intact portions of the Cumberland Plateau. The site is an irreplaceable window into more than 5,000 years of human history, from Indigenous American life and settlement spanning the Archaic, Woodland, and Mississippian periods, right up to the modern apple orchards of the Cardwell family.

This new park will create meaningful educational opportunities, while also honoring Cardwell Mountain as a local landmark and ensuring its stories and cultural significance are preserved for future generations.

Learn more via the link in bio.

📸: TennGreen and several conservation partners at the May 8 Dedication of @cardwellmountainstatepark

Did you know 82% of Tennessee is within 20 miles of a Tennessee Blueway?

A Blueway is a managed stretch of river that is shared for recreation, an age-old pastime. Tennesseans paddle, fish, and explore dozens of rivers across the state, each one offering its own sense of place, adventure, and ecological richness. A Tennessee Blueway grants select rivers a special designation and a shared management vision that keeps them accessible and well cared for long into the future. Blueway status strengthens public access, supports local economies through tourism, and safeguards the wildlife habitat, clean water, and cultural heritage that make these rivers irreplaceable.

The BluewaysTN initiative is a statewide effort to enhance river recreation, conservation, and public access across Tennessee’s waterways. The initiative is launching this effort on 15 rivers across the state (Slide 3) and is seeking feedback to guide its Recreation Plans for each BluewaysTN river.

We encourage you to complete a brief survey (link in bio) to share what matters most to you and help shape the future of Tennessee’s blueways.

📸: Caney Fork River and Duck River by Chuck Sutherland

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The Conserver Newsletter—Read Online!

Hike-a-Thon 2026