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.

What we do for forests

4,000

acres

of forests restored or conserved through prescribed burning, tree planting, and writing plans that promote sustainable timber management.

Partnering

with private landowners and public agencies to restore large areas of contiguous forest.

forest management plans written, covering more than 20,000 acres of forestland.

Are you a landowner?

You could benefit from the Federation's decades of experience in habitat restoration.

Interested in learning if your land is a fit for habitat restoration?

Tell us more

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Your generosity helps manage wildlife populations and restore habitats for a more vibrant Tennessee.

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