Conservation easements are a powerful way to protect waterways.

March 8, 2017

Conservation easements would be a primary tool to protect waterways and would not take land off the tax rolls. Public ownership is not required to conserve water. Public ownership would be used only when private ownership with permanent conservation easements will not accomplish the conservation objective, i.e. when the location would also serve for a local … More Conservation easements are a powerful way to protect waterways.

Governor Haslam’s Conservation Legacy

February 5, 2013

Already, Governor Haslam and his administration have protected more than 24,000 acres in State Parks and Natural Areas.  World-class treasures include Virgin Falls, Cummins Falls, Island Mesas at Pogue Creek Canyon and the high mountains at Rocky Fork.   We are grateful. By conserving our water with 1.2 million acres more of forested headwaters and rivers, … More Governor Haslam’s Conservation Legacy

How we leverage state and federal funds

January 24, 2012

Tennessee has been very successful leveraging limited conservation funds in the past A recent example:  When 1,575 acres were purchased to conserve the world-class wonder that is Virgin Falls State Natural Area, only $300,000 came from our State’s Land Acquisition Funds.  State funding leveraged $1.5 million from Federal Endangered Species Funding and $800,000 from private … More How we leverage state and federal funds

State Funding for Conservation: Are we keeping up with growth?

May 23, 2011

2015-2016 State Lands Acquisition Fund: $3,067,500 Local Parks & Recreation Fund: $3,718,700 Land and Water Conservation Fund:  $750,000 Agricultural Resources Conservation Fund: $3,187,500 The Wetlands Fund: $6,521,000 2013-2014 State Lands Acquisition Fund: $3,171,800 Local Parks & Recreation Fund:  $3,772,100 Agricultural Resources Conservation Fund:  $3,612,600 The Wetlands Fund: $11,226,700 2011-2012 State Lands Acquisition Fund: $3,087,500 Local Parks & … More State Funding for Conservation: Are we keeping up with growth?

Gov. Bill Haslam Continues to Endorse a Forever Green Tennessee!

May 12, 2011

THANK YOU, Governor Haslam! We really appreciate you! In this photo: Bottom Row, from Left: Jeanne Nelson (Land Trust for Tennessee), Stewart Clifton (TN Conservation Voters), Kathleen Williams (TN Parks & Greenways Foundation), Governor Bill Haslam, Melinda Welton (TN Ornithological Society), John Noel (Southern Alliance for Clean Energy), Gary Myers (former director, TN Wildlife Resources … More Gov. Bill Haslam Continues to Endorse a Forever Green Tennessee!

Real Estate Transfer Funds remain IN the budget!

May 3, 2011

Governor Haslam released his amended budget this morning (Tuesday, May 3, 2011), and we are pleased to report that the Tennessee Real Estate Transfer Funds are STILL IN the proposed FY 2011-12 Tennessee Budget! Over the next few weeks both the Senate and House Finance Committees will discuss and vote on all budgetary amendments, and … More Real Estate Transfer Funds remain IN the budget!

TN Real Estate Transfer Funds are IN the Budget!

March 21, 2011

We are thrilled to announce that Gov. Haslam has included ALL 4 of the Real Estate Transfer Funds in his proposed FY 2011-12 Tennessee State Budget! The State Lands Acquisition Fund will be funded with $3,087,500; the Local Parks & Recreation Fund has been appropriated $3,718,700; the Wetlands Fund will receive $6,521,000; and the Agriculture … More TN Real Estate Transfer Funds are IN the Budget!

Forever Green Tennessee Paying Dividends!

September 16, 2010

As a result of our efforts to “Forever Green Tennessee” and reinstate the Tennessee Real Estate Transfer Funds, millions of dollars are already at work to conserve land for future generations of Tennesseans. The Fiery Gizzard campaign is receiving $4 million from the State of Tennessee; the majority of these dollars comes from the State … More Forever Green Tennessee Paying Dividends!

Our WASHINGTON D.C. Legislators need to hear from us … TODAY!

July 28, 2010

DRAFT—Short_Summary_and_Section_by_Section—DRAFTLWCF_General_Talking_Points_FloorVotes_(oil_spill_and_energy_bill) From our friend and partner Pat Byington, Director of the Eastern Forest Partnership: We literally have 32 hours to make a difference. Keep on making calls, sending emails and encouraging all of our friends to do so. Yesterday afternoon, the Senate released a summary draft of their Energy Jobs and Oil Company Accountability Act … More Our WASHINGTON D.C. Legislators need to hear from us … TODAY!