Maintaining forests

More than 50 percent of Tennessee’s landscape is forested, with millions of acres of that being privately owned. Forests face constant threats from disease and insect outbreaks to invasive species, wildfire, and more—but scientifically-based forest management can help mitigate these risks and keep our forests thriving.

Tennessee Wildlife Federation works with private landowners and public agencies to prepare forest management plans and provide resources to restore diversity and overall health of their forests.

Why Forests?

14

million

acres of forests in Tennessee.

Diverse

Great Smoky Mountains National Park contains more species of trees than northern Europe.

83%

of Tennessee’s forests are privately-owned.

A female Pine Warbler perched in a vibrant green pine tree with long needles surrounding her and a single pine cone.

forest management benefits wildlife, people, and the economy.

Forests are diverse—a single forest can contain several different types of habitat. Forests contain thousands of species of plants and wildlife, and each one of those species plays an essential role in the forest ecosystem. Maintaining a variety of shrubs, grasses, and trees of different heights creates layers of habitat and provides shelter and resources for hundreds of species of wildlife.

Healthy, functioning forests provide many benefits beyond wildlife value. Forests aid in climate regulation by removing carbon from the atmosphere and storing it in wood, leaves, and soil. Trees improve water quality by acting as natural sponges—by absorbing rainwater before it flows to a body of water, trees filter pollutants and reduce soil erosion. Forests also provide billions in economic value through recreation and tourism opportunities, wood products, and much more.