Cultivating Outdoor Pursuits
People who go outdoors are the heart of conservation. Securing Tennesseans’ access to our public lands and waters is necessary to keep us all engaged and invested in conserving our wildlife, water, and wild places. Whether we hunt, fish, hike, camp, or birdwatch, people who engage in the outdoors pass on their way of life to the next generation. By coming together, sharing our passions, and exploring public lands, we can continue Tennessee’s legacy of conservation for generations to come.
Chronic Wasting Disease in Tennessee
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a major threat to Tennessee’s deer and elk populations, as well as the conservation funding they generate. Tennessee hunters are at the forefront of managing the spread of CWD and protecting these beloved resources.
Reducing River Overcrowding
Water is a public resource utilized by anglers, boaters, canoers and kayakers, and other recreationists. With a significant increase of recreational use in recent years, overcrowding on Tennessee’s rivers has reached a critical level and solutions are needed so we can all enjoy this natural resource.
Invasive Carp Threaten Native Fish
Invasive carp have taken over the Mississippi River system—and have moved aggressively into the Tennessee and Cumberland River systems. These non-native fish are a serious threat to the aquatic species, recreation, and economy in Tennessee, and surrounding states.
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More Outdoor Pursuits Concerns
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.
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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Tennessee Must Invest in Wildlife Conservation Beyond License Fees
Now, more than ever, Tennessee needs new, sustainable funding sources for wildlife conservation. Without action, we risk losing the programs and progress that have made Tennessee a leader in wildlife conservation.
2025 Legislative Outcomes
As the 2025 Legislative Session and the season setting period for the Fish and Wildlife Commission have wrapped up, here is where things stand on the bills and regulations of interest that Tennessee Wildlife Federation has been tracking.
Leaders Unite to Advance Conservation in Tennessee
Tennessee Wildlife Federation brought together more than 50 sportsmen and outdoor leaders to discuss the future of conservation in Tennessee.