Protecting Land & Habitat
From the wetlands in the west to the mountaintops in the east, Tennessee is filled with beautiful, diverse habitats. Because approximately 90 percent of Tennessee land is privately owned, managing land well and connecting habitat is essential for native wildlife populations. Tennessee Wildlife Federation advocates for better stewardship of our forests, grasslands, streams, rivers, and wetlands—and works with public agencies and private landowners to achieve our goals.
Restoring North America’s Most Imperiled Ecosystem
It is estimated that Tennessee was once home to nearly 7 million acres of grasslands. From 2008 through 2016, Tennessee lost an average of 27,359 acres of grassland each year. Restoring this critical habitat is key for the success of native wildlife and plants.
Stop Litter, Preserve the Land We Love
Tennessee has a pollution problem. Litter affects wildlife, agriculture, recreation, and much more—all of which lead to negative impacts on Tennessee’s economy, health, and wild places.
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Help lead Tennessee's wildlife and habitat conservation movement by making your voice heard.
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More Land & Habitat Concerns
Unsafe Roadways for Wildlife
Roads connect us, but they are often impossible and deadly barriers to wildlife. Creating tunnels, bridges, and other wildlife-friendly infrastructure to increase habitat connectivity and reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions is essential to improve the safety of wildlife and people traveling through these areas.
Growing Need for Long-Term Funding
The hard-earned conservation successes from the past century are at risk. In the early 1900s, conservationists ignited a movement to find management and funding solutions for our land, wildlife, forests, and water. The problems of today are more complex but share the same foundations. This means it is time to come together again to address the growing need for long-term conservation funding.
Inadequate Water Resource Management
Regional growth is good for the economy, but if not done responsibly it will have detrimental impacts on the lands, water, and wildlife that draw many people to Tennessee. The health and abundance of Tennessee’s waterways needs time and resources to plan and monitor regularly.
Keep Public Land in Public Hands
Approximately 10 percent—2.4 million acres—of Tennessee land is public land, yet public land generates $30 billion for Tennessee’s economy every year.
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Tennesseans Create NWF Certified Wildlife Habitats
Tennessee Wildlife Federation board member Anker Browder presented Knoxville Mayor Rogero and city officials with NWF’s Community Wildlife Habitat certification. First Community Wildlife Habitat in...
Knoxville’s Public Lands Leadership
Opinion article by Michael Butler, CEO of Tennessee Wildlife Federation, as it appeared in the Knoxville News Sentinel. For many East Tennesseans, public lands are a way of life. With the...
Recovering America’s Wildlife Act Conserves Wildlife Before It’s Endangered
In Tennessee, more than 1,400 plant and wildlife species, including the Red Squirrel, have been identified as being in greatest need of conservation. As the old adage goes, an ounce of prevention is...