Conservation News

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has approved Tennessee’s 2025 State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP), led by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA). We are grateful to have supported TWRA through three SWAP revisions over our long partnership, including this most recent update shaped by two years of focused, collaborative work.

The Nature Conservancy has partnered with TWRA on the SWAP for decades, grounded in shared conservation values and a commitment to science‑based action. We are also deeply appreciative of the many partners across Tennessee who contributed their time, expertise and collaboration to this plan.

With the plan now approved, Tennessee is positioned for meaningful, on‑the‑ground conservation that benefits wildlife and habitats across the state.

Learn more.

Tennessee State Parks officially dedicated Cardwell Mountain State Archaeological Park, safeguarding more than 5,000 years of human history on a 534‑acre landscape in Warren County.

Rising above Cumberland Caverns, one of the nation’s largest cave systems, Cardwell Mountain preserves evidence of Indigenous life from the Late Archaic through Mississippian periods — including a remarkable earthen mound complex built roughly 1,000 years ago.

This park exists thanks to a shared vision. The Nature Conservancy, TennGreen Land Conservancy and The Conservation Fund worked together to protect Cardwell Mountain — the first land conservation project completed as partners, paving the way for many more collaborations across Tennessee.

As park staff and archaeologists prepare the site and plan future trails and educational exhibits, we are proud to help ensure this extraordinary place is protected with care and respect for generations to come.

Learn more.

The Buffalo River, portions of the Duck River and several tributaries will now receive added protections thanks to a new Scenic Rivers Bill passed by the Tennessee Legislature in April. We extend our thanks to Representative Pat Marsh and Senator Kerry Roberts for sponsoring this important legislation.

The new designation adds safeguards that restrict mining, commercial timber harvest and landfill uses while allowing agriculture and other traditional rural activities to continue. This is a critical step in protecting one of the most biologically diverse freshwater rivers in the world. The Duck is more than a statistic — it is a living system with natural flow and rich habitats that support extraordinary freshwater life.

We are also grateful for Gov. Lee’s continued attention to the Duck River, including the creation of the Duck River Watershed Planning Committee, which is helping chart a healthier future for the entire watershed.

We’re proud to celebrate Britt Townsend, Director of Forestry for The Nature Conservancy in Tennessee, who has received the 2026 Forest Conservationist Award from the Tennessee Wildlife Federation.

Britt leads the management of the 5,700‑acre Bridgestone Nature Reserve at Chestnut Mountain, a living laboratory for advancing resilient forest management — particularly the restoration of fire‑adapted oak‑pine systems. Under her leadership, the Reserve demonstrates how science‑based, sustainable forestry can restore and enhance forest ecosystems for the benefit of both wildlife and people.

With more than a decade of experience managing private forestlands, Britt brings deep expertise in forest certification and carbon programs. A Tennessee‑Accredited Forester, she is widely recognized for translating research into meaningful, on‑the‑ground results and for her collaborative approach to scaling conservation impact. She leads the Cherokee National Forest Collaboratives, bringing together partners from the U.S. Forest Service, state agencies, conservation organizations, and private forestry to advance dry‑forest restoration across the region. Britt also serves on the board of the Shortleaf Pine Initiative, dedicated to restoring shortleaf pine ecosystems across their historic range.

The Nature Conservancy in Tennessee is thrilled to welcome Cole Webster to its board of trustees. A lifelong resident of Chattanooga, Cole is President of The Barn Nursery, a family-owned garden center established in 1967. Under his leadership, The Barn Nursery has grown into a regional destination that blends horticulture, tourism, and local culture—connecting people with the beauty of plants and outdoor spaces.

Cole is deeply engaged in civic and philanthropic work. He serves on the board of Crabtree Farms and the Chattanooga/Hamilton County Sports Authority, following a term on the Planning Commission. As President of Lana’s Love Foundation, founded in memory of his sister, Lana, Cole helps provide joy and support to families facing childhood cancer—a mission that earned him the 2025 Dr. Headrick Distinguished Award from the American Cancer Society.

Cole and his wife, Gabby, live in Chattanooga and remain active in initiatives that strengthen their community. We are excited to have Cole bring his leadership and passion for service to our board, advancing our mission to protect Tennessee’s lands and waters for generations to come.

The Nature Conservancy in Tennessee is proud to welcome George G. Leavell to its board of trustees. George serves as Chief Executive Officer of Wepfer Group, LLC (dba Wepfer Marine), headquartered in Memphis. Founded in 1972, Wepfer Marine operates harbor and fleeting services at nine locations along the Lower Mississippi, Ohio, and Tennessee Rivers, with additional services including trip towing, shipyard operations, fueling and marine salvage.

With decades of experience in the maritime industry, George has been a leader in advancing safe and efficient river operations. He currently serves as Vice Chairman of the Ohio Valley Region of the American Waterways Operators and sits on the Board of Directors for Waterways Council, Inc. His leadership roles also include Vice Chairman of the Inland Harbor and Fleeting Coalition and Chairman of the Harbor Sector for the Memphis Area Maritime Security Committee.

George’s commitment to waterways extends beyond business. He is a former board member of Living Lands & Waters and has served in numerous industry leadership positions focused on safety and sustainability. His expertise in river systems and navigation brings a valuable perspective to conservation efforts along Tennessee’s waterways.

We are excited to have George join our board and help advance our mission to protect the lands and waters that sustain us all.

The Nature Conservancy in Tennessee is proud to welcome Jim Coleman Jr. to its board of trustees. Jim serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of Erlanger Health System, one of Tennessee’s largest and most comprehensive academic medical centers. Since his appointment in 2022, he has led Erlanger through a period of strategic growth and modernization, advancing its mission to deliver high-quality care to communities across the region.

With more than 25 years of executive leadership experience, Jim has guided health systems through transformative change. Prior to becoming CEO, he served as Chairman of Erlanger’s Board of Trustees, where he played a key role in the organization’s transition to an independent, private nonprofit, one of the most significant governance shifts in its history. His career spans leadership roles in both nonprofit and for-profit health systems throughout the Southeast, including positions with Alliant Management Services and HCA’s Parkridge Health System in Chattanooga.

A lifelong Tennessean originally from Cleveland, Jim holds a Bachelor of Science and an MBA in Finance from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He and his wife, Amy, enjoy spending time outdoors with their rescue dog, Mona Lisa, embracing the natural beauty of East Tennessee.

We are excited to have Jim bring his leadership and passion for community to our board, helping advance our mission to protect Tennessee’s lands and waters for generations to come.