Founders of the Tennessee Conservation League

History

In the early 1900s, Tennessee had less than 2,000 deer. Elk hadn’t been seen in the state for generations. Turkey existed only in a pocket or two.

Then there was a turning point. A conservation movement started and, ever since, Tennessee Wildlife Federation has been working methodically to bring our wildlife populations back from the brink.

Tennessee Wildlife Federation was founded by outdoor writers, sportsmen, and community leaders who gathered to build a new organization to restore the integrity of all of Tennessee’s wildlife and natural resources. Their goal, establish new leadership focused on science-based wildlife management.

Over time, the Federation grew to a diverse group of hunters, anglers, bird watchers, hikers, gardeners, and other outdoor enthusiasts—all united by their concern and passion for Tennessee’s great outdoors.

Building Upon A Legacy

Leadership on public policy has been a hallmark of the Federation throughout its history. For 75 years, the Federation has found success by rallying supporters and finding common ground with opponents.

As a result, the Federation has been instrumental in issues regarding air pollution, water pollution, endangered species protection, forest management, resource management, and other legislation that impacts Tennesseans’ opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors.

Today, the Federation continues to tackle Tennessee’s most urgent conservation issues through public policy and strategic programs that serve our wildlife and community.

The Federation is also on the ground statewide. It engages this generation of conservationists and the next through Hunters for the Hungry, Hunting and Fishing Academy, and the Tennessee Scholastic Clay Target Program. Through its Habitat Restoration program, the Federation is restoring and conserving thousands of acres of wetlands, grasslands, forest land, and streams.

Our Work Over the Years

2024
2024

Legislation Defines Hunting as Primary Method of Conservation

In the 2024 General Assembly, the Federation worked with Rep. Tandy Darby and Sen. Paul Rose to proactively pass legislation to designate hunting, fishing, and trapping as the preferred methods of wildlife management in Tennessee.
2023
2023
Hunters for the Hungry delivery.

Hunters for the Hungry Breaks Records

In its 25th year, the Federation’s Hunters for the Hungry program had its most successful year to date, with more than 148,000 pounds of venison donated, equaling 592,044 servings of protein distributed to Tennesseans in need.
Tennessee SCTP Athletes celebrating together

New National Partnership

Tennessee Scholastic Clay Target Program, a program of the Federation, partnered with the National Scholastic Clay Target Program to expand opportunities for shooting sports athletes in Tennessee.
2022
2022
Surveying equipment set up at a wetland. In front of the equipment is a large field saturated with water. On the opposite end of the field is a factory with smoke billowing from the smokestacks.

Completed Largest Wetland Restoration

Restored nearly 100 acres of poor-quality agricultural land to functioning wetland habitat in Stewart County.
A beautiful day on Duck River

Duck River Settlement

In collaboration with the Southern Environmental Law Center and The Nature Conservancy, the Federation helped state officials reach a settlement to limit water withdrawals on the Duck River.
Five deer wading into the water from a thick tree stand. A doe and fawn have waded out from under the trees. A buck and two young deer are still under the trees.

Protected Public Land

Organized support to prevent the transfer of Yanahli Wildlife Management Area from state to county ownership, which could have negatively impacted public access to outdoor recreation.
2021
2021

TACIR Litter Study

Mike Butler, CEO of the Federation, testified to the Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations (TACIR) about the state’s growing litter problem. This was part of an ongoing litter study, which TACIR completed in 2023.
Turkey calling demonstration

Began Offering Virtual Classes

Our Hunting and Fishing Academy expanded to offer virtual classes for both new and seasoned outdoorsmen to learn practical skills for all kinds of outdoor recreation.
2020
2020

Launched Adult Hunting Experiences for Beginners

Our Hunting and Fishing Academy program launched its first-ever, adult-only experiences for those looking to pursue an outdoor lifestyle for the first time could try their hand at hunting.

Hundreds of purple martins flying over downtown Nashville at dusk.

Generated National Support for Purple Martins

150,000+ purple martins were roosting around Nashville's Schermerhorn Symphony Center, creating an expensive mess. Bird lovers, music lovers, and conservation groups came together and donated tens of thousands, saving the symphony grounds and the purple martin migration.

Tennessee State Capitol building

Asked U.S. Senate Candidates to Share Their Opinion on Conservation

To keep outdoor enthusiasts informed during Tennessee’s 2020 U.S. Senate race, the Federation interviewed candidates Marquita Bradshaw and Bill Hagerty about their opinions on conservation in Tennessee.

The Great American Outdoors Act

Supported the effort to pass The Great American Outdoors Act. The Act provides 5 years of funding, up to a total of $9.5 billion, to address the national parks’ maintenance backlog and provides full and dedicated funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund.

invasive carp leaping from water

Water Resources Development Act

The Federation helped secure the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) which authorizes $25 million to manage and prevent the spread of invasive carp in the Tennessee and Cumberland river basins.
2019
2019

Began Restoring 5,400 Acres of Cumberland Plateau Habitat

Tennessee Wildlife Federation began work on a project to restore and enhance 5,400 acres of shortleaf pine forests on the Cumberland Plateau.

Reauthorized the Land and Water Conservation Fund

With other organizations nationwide, the Federation secured the permanent authorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund.

Two people in a yellow and green kayak paddling into a channel.

Protected Basic Rules on Waterways

The Federation assembled a delegation of anglers, paddlers, and fishing guides that reached out to legislators about the critical need for basic rules and data collection for paddle craft rental companies that have rapidly grown on our rivers.

Callico pennant dragonfly holding on to the end of a blade of grass.

Protected Rare Dragonfly Habitat

The Federation helped facilitate the expansion of a rare dragonfly habitat in Hardin County. In that West Tennessee paradise are 407 plant species, 132 bird species, 58 butterfly species, and 45 dragonfly and damselfly species.

2018
2018

Launched Hunting and Fishing Academy

Hunters and anglers pay for the vast majority of wildlife conservation in Tennessee. The Federation’s Hunting and Fishing Academy works to grow the number of sportsmen and women by providing hands-on instruction in the art of being an outdoorsman to first-time hunters and anglers of all ages.

Headshots of Karl Dean (left) and Bill Lee (right).

2018 Race for Governor

Tennessee Wildlife Federation was the only organization to get Bill Lee and Karl Dean on the record about the great outdoors.

Mike Butler, CEO of Tennessee Wildlife Federation, and Collin O'Mara, CEO of National Wildlife Federation

Named Affiliate of the Year

In 2018, the Federation was named Affiliate of the Year by the National Wildlife Federation for the fourth time. “Tennessee Wildlife Federation is one of the most effective conservation organizations in our nation. Period.” — Collin O’Mara, National Wildlife Federation CEO

2015
2015
Bull elk standing in a field of tall grass

Big Game Poaching

The Federation plays an instrumental role in drafting legislation establishing fines for the poaching of big game.

2013
2013
Three sandhill cranes in flight.

Sandhill Crane Season Established

The Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission passes the state's first sandhill crane hunting season. Tennessee Wildlife Federation's Board of Directors voted unanimously in support of the new season.

2012
2012

Tennessee Prescribed Burning Act

Led the passage of the 2012 Tennessee Prescribed Burning Act to reverse the negative impacts of fire suppression in the State.

White-tailed Deer Breeding and Farming Act

The Federation halts the White-tailed Deer Breeding and Farming Act in 2011 and 2012 to battle the spread of chronic wasting disease to Tennessee’s wild deer herd.

2011
2011

The Right to Hunt and Fish

The Federation led the successful campaign to amend the state constitution to secure the right of every Tennessean to hunt and fish.

2007
2007

Secured the Future of Public Hunting Lands

The Federation writes and secures passage of legislation to ensure no-net-loss of public hunting lands.

Elk Viewing Tower Constructed

The Hatfield Knob Elk Viewing Tower is constructed with the support of the Federation and numerous volunteers for the enjoyment of all Tennesseans.

2005
2005

Adopted Youth Shooting Program

The Federation adopts the Tennessee Scholastic Clay Target Program, one of the largest youth shooting programs in the nation.

2004
2004

Changed Name to Tennessee Wildlife Federation

The Tennessee Conservation League changes its name to Tennessee Wildlife Federation.

2000
2000

Reintroduced Elk to Tennessee

The Federation teams up with Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency to reintroduce elk to Tennessee, releasing the first elk to inhabit Tennessee in more than 135 years.

1998
1998
Packaged venison donated to food banks through Hunters for the Hungry

Hunters for the Hungry

The Federation restarts Hunters for the Hungry. The program has since provided more than 9.9 million meals to Tennesseans in need.

1986
1986

Wetlands Acquisition Act

Led the campaign to pass the Wetlands Acquisition Act that has since conserved hundreds of thousands of acres of critical and sensitive wetlands and uplands across the state.

1984
1984

Launched Deer Registry

The Federation and Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency jointly launch the Tennessee Deer Registry providing a database to help monitor the quality of Tennessee’s deer herd.

1983
1983

Project CENTS

The Federation’s Project CENTS (Conservation Education Now for Tennessee Students) is initiated. Project CENTS helps hundreds of thousands of students learn math and science through conservation examples and became standard curriculum for that state’s school system for many years.

1982
1982
Hunters in blaze orange jackets walking away, toward the woods

Hunter Education Bill

The Tennessee Legislature passes the Federation’s Mandatory Hunter Education Bill requiring anyone born after January 1, 1969, to complete an approved hunter education course. Today, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency administers hunter-ed courses where new hunters learn how to safely and ethically hunt in Tennessee.

1980
1980
Bald eagle soaring through a clear blue sky

Eagles at Land Between the Lakes

The Tennessee Valley Authority begins a five-year project to bring eagles back to the Land Between the Lakes. The Federation takes over the project in 1982.

Joined Lawsuit to Protect Waterfowl Habitat

The Federation joined four citizens in a lawsuit to stop the channelization of the Obion and Forked Deer river basin to conserve critical waterfowl habitat.

1972
1972

First Employee Hired

As the Federation’s first employee—and the executive director of the organization for 23 years—Tony Campbell set the groundwork for what the Federation would accomplish in the decades to follow.

1971
1971
Mallard drake in water, surrounded by litter.

Water Pollution Control Act

The Federation leads the writing and passage of the Tennessee Water Pollution Control Act.

1969
1969
Two sandhill cranes flying

Tennessee Environmental Council

The Federation proposes an umbrella organization, the Tennessee Environmental Council, to handle emerging environmental issues. The council was charted the following year.

1953
1953

Outstanding Affiliate of the Year

For the first time in its history, the Federation is named Outstanding Affiliate of the Year by the National Wildlife Federation.

1949
1949

Established the Tennessee Game and Fish Commission

The Federation successfully campaigned for the passage of the law that established the Tennessee Game and Fish Commission, the precursor to the state’s first professional wildlife management agency.

1946
1946
Founders of Tennessee Wildlife Federation

Tennessee Wildlife Federation Began

Tennessee Wildlife Federation was founded on February 12, 1946, as the Tennessee Conservation League at Chattanooga’s historic Read House Hotel.

Make Your gift for tennessee's wildlife and great outdoors.

Tennessee's wildlife, water, and wild places are under more pressure than any time in decades. Conservationists like you make all the difference.