3,157 acres of conservation properties have been connected!
Photo by Josh Tilford
The Tennessee River Gorge Trust (TRGT) is pleased to announce the recent addition of 409 acres of land in the western portion of the Tennessee River Gorge. Through a series of priority land acquisitions, conservation lands now span nearly 7 continuous miles along the south side of the Tennessee River. These acres represent six new parcels added to currently protected properties within the Tennessee River Gorge. Since 1981, TRGT has been a steadfast leader in the Chattanooga area conservation movement, working to protect over 17,000 acres in the gorge through ownership, Memorandums of Understanding and conservation easements. As a community land trust, TRGT also strives to educate the public about the value of open space and implement science-based innovative land stewardship.
These six newly-acquired tracts were also secured through generous support from the Open Space Institute’s (OSI) Southern Cumberland Land Protection Fund, Tucker Foundation, the Pineapple Fund, a major anonymous gift, and the many other longstanding supporters of the Tennessee River Gorge Trust.
The new properties will connect existing TRGT tracts to provide greater flexibility for future access projects like trail development as well as provide perpetual corridors for wildlife to adapt to our changing environment. These new acquisitions are also home to beautiful waterfalls, mature forests, high-quality streams, and the federally threatened large-flowered skullcap plant.
“The protection of these six properties is a phenomenal win for both the people and wildlife of the Chattanooga region and beyond,” said Peter Howell, executive vice president at OSI. “We commend the Tennessee River Gorge Trust on their tireless efforts to safeguard the Tennessee River Gorge, so that it can be available for future generations.”
TRGT is committed to protecting these lands and the cultural heritage associated with them. “Conservation efforts in the modern era are a partnership driven process. We cannot successfully protect the special places within our community without the support of organizations like OSI, the Tucker Foundation, and the countless other members of our community that give of themselves and their resources every day,” says Executive Director Rick Huffines, “these properties will be essential to future community access projects and our scientific understanding of this magical place.”
Map of the newly acquired properties along with prior conservation lands
TRGT staff visit the newly purchased properties. Photos by Josh Tilford