Conserving Tennessee’s Wetlands
Wetlands are vital to Tennessee’s wildlife, environment, and communities, providing critical habitats, improving water quality, and reducing flood risks. However, with significant losses already and recent Supreme Court decisions putting these regulations in the hands of the states, state-level action is more important than ever to safeguard these essential ecosystems.
Did you Know?
1 million
of water can be stored by one acre of wetland
of Tennessee’s wetlands have been destroyed
$21.5
Economic value of isolated wetlands in Tennessee
Benefits of Wetlands
Wetlands are essential to Tennessee’s wildlife and communities. These unique ecosystems provide critical habitats for many species, including birds, amphibians, fish, and invertebrates. In fact, about 20% of rare species depend on wetlands at some point in their lives.
But wetlands do more than support wildlife—they also keep our environment healthy. They improve water quality by filtering out sediment and pollutants, creating cleaner drinking water for nearby communities. Wetlands also help manage flooding by absorbing excess water, protecting both people and habitats from potential damage.
Wetlands in Tennessee
Tennessee has lost about one million acres—or 60%—of its natural wetlands due to historic land use changes, urban development, sediment buildup, and the construction of dams and reservoirs. Many of the wetlands that remain are geographically isolated. At first glance, they might seem disconnected from nearby rivers or streams, but they are often linked to the surrounding environment through underground water systems like groundwater and aquifers.
Despite their small size and apparent isolation, research shows these wetlands are remarkably effective. They filter pollutants from runoff, helping keep downstream waters clean. They also play a vital role in flood prvention by soaking up and storing floodwaters in areas that lack other natural flood defenses, such as larger wetlands or floodplains.
How Do We Protect Wetlands?
Legislation plays a critical role in conserving Tennessee’s wetlands and other natural resources. It establishes criteria for land and water protections and creates systems to evaluate potential impacts on these resources.
Tennessee’s current wetlands protections effectively safeguard wetlands across the state. Tennessee Wildlife Federation is dedicated to maintaining these vital laws to ensure our wetlands are conserved for future generations.
You can help keep Tennessee’s wetlands thriving by joining our Action Alert email list. Sign up today to be notified when your voice is needed—whether it’s contacting legislators, signing petitions, or other critical actions to conserve our wetlands and natural resources.
Speak out
Help lead Tennessee's wildlife and habitat conservation movement by making your voice heard.
Give
Your generosity helps manage wildlife populations and restore habitats for a more vibrant Tennessee.
Sign up for action alerts
Learn More
Mississippi River Facing Severe Ecological Decline
Tennessee Wildlife Federation needs you to support legislation that will safeguard and restore the health of the Mississippi River so that our wildlife and our communities have safe, clean water.
Senator Lamar Alexander | 75 years of Tennessee Wildlife Federation
As a two-term governor turned U.S. Senator, Alexander found Tennessee Wildlife Federation to be a critical part of advancing the conservation of our natural world.
Conservation Wins at the Tennessee General Assembly
This past legislative session, Tennessee Wildlife Federation’s conservation policy team was hard at work being your voice and monitoring more than 30 bills and rules that would impact our wildlife, waters, and wild places.