Protecting wetlands
Why Wetlands?
of Tennessee’s wetlands have been destroyed.
Flood
Wetlands act as natural sponges that trap and slowly release flood waters.
of rare species use wetlands at some point in their life.
Wetlands provide critical habitat for numerous wildlife and plant species.
Bottomland hardwood forests are the most common type of wetlands in Tennessee and are abundant in the floodplains of streams and rivers.
Wetland ecosystems are often undervalued and underappreciated despite providing significant economic and ecological benefits. They help reduce damage from flooding, maintain water quality, replenish groundwater, store carbon, and provide important wildlife habitat. Wetlands also filter out sediment and chemicals from surface-water runoff.
Approximately one million acres of Tennessee’s wetlands have been destroyed due to historic land uses, impoundment, sedimentation, and urbanization. Restoring degraded wetlands and protecting existing wetlands—and the wildlife and plants that use them—is critical.
What we do for wetlands
1,000
of wetlands restored or conserved.
Wetlands restored by Tennessee Wildlife Federation are permanently protected with conservation easements.
5
of monitoring to measure success and long-term viability of restored wetlands.
Are you a landowner?
Interested in learning if your land is a fit for habitat restoration?
Give
Your generosity helps manage wildlife populations and restore habitats for a more vibrant Tennessee.
More Habitat Restoration
Reviving Tennessee: West Fork Drakes Creek
In Sumner County, a collaborative restoration project has transformed 50 acres of less productive farmland into a healthy, functioning stream and wetland ecosystem which includes 4,400 feet of stream in the West Fork Drakes Creek watershed.
Types of Forests in Tennessee
More than 50% of the Tennessee landscape is forested—but not all forests are the same. Keep reading to learn about some common (and uncommon) forest types and where you can find them in Tennessee.
How Your Donation Improves Conservation
When you donate to Tennessee Wildlife Federation, you become a catalyst for change through our programs that focus on the perpetual improvement of conservation, wildlife habitat, recreation, and more all across our beautiful state.