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Places We Protect

Taylor Hollow

Tennessee

A wooded valley with purple wildflowers growing in the understory.
Taylor Hollow Spring wildflowers bloom along the trail at Taylor Hollow. © Paul Kingsbury/The Nature Conservancy

We are protecting an undisturbed remnant of Middle Tennessee’s majestic forest system.

Taylor Hollow is currently closed to the public due to ongoing restoration efforts. However, limited guided group tours are available each spring in March and April through the Tennessee Division of Natural Areas. Signups for these tours begin in early January; signup information is linked below. We appreciate your understanding as we work to conserve the wildlife that makes Taylor Hollow so special.

Find Guided Tours

Overview

Description

Taylor Hollow is among the first nature preserves purchased by The Nature Conservancy in Tennessee. Located on the northeastern edge of the Highland Rim, it contains one of the last undisturbed remnants of an historic, and once magnificent, mesophytic (moderately moist) forest system of Middle Tennessee. The land enclosed by the nature preserve was once a pasture field, and an old barn still stands on the site. 

An ecological gem, Taylor Hollow is shaped by a deeply cut valley and steep slopes that are divided by a tranquil spring-fed stream. This setting features four major habitats that support aquatic and cave-dwelling creatures, and hundreds of plant species, including state-endangered Blue-eyed Mary (Collinsia verna) and Ozark Least Trillium (Trillium pusillum var. ozarkanum) and state threatened Michigan Lily (Lilium michiganese) and Butternut (Juglans cinerea). 

Access

CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC

Due to ongoing restoration efforts, Taylor Hollow is currently closed to the public.

Location

Westmoreland, TN

Highlights

Hiking, Wildflower Viewing, Photography

Size

163 acres

Explore our work in Tennessee

Tennessee Notes An early edition of TNC's Tennessee Notes reports on the purchase of Taylor Hollow. (Click to enlarge.) © The Nature Conservancy

Taylor Hollow Through The Years

A Hidden Gem

Timeline

Acre by acre, we are securing this special space for future generations.

Wildflowers line a dirt path winding through a forest.
Taylor Hollow Wildflowers Dutchman's Breeches grows at TNC's Taylor Hollow Preserve in Tennessee. © The Nature Conservancy/Terry Cook
With a red barn in the distance, a stream flows through a field of grasses.
Tennessee Farm A stream winds through a farm field in Tennessee. © The Nature Conservancy/Cory Giles
1800's

Taylor Hollow’s neighboring town of Westmoreland, Tennessee was developed as an agricultural center during the move westward.

Blue-ish, trumpet-shaped flowers emerge from abundant green leaves.
Taylor Hollow Wildflower Virginia bluebells grow at the Taylor Hollow Preserve in Tennessee. © The Nature Conservancy/Terry Cook
1900's

The region grew to include a railroad stop, followed by a tourist boom fueled by visitors seeking the medicinal values of the nearby sulfur springs.

A golden colored plant curls up into a shape that looks like a snail.
Taylor Hollow Wildflowers A fiddlehead fern grows at TNC's Taylor Hollow Preserve in Tennessee. © Terry Cook
1975

Vanderbilt University botanists first noted Taylor Hollow's unique ecological diversity.

A blanket of small blue flowers spread out across a forest floor.
Taylor Hollow Spring wildflowers bloom along the trail at Taylor Hollow. © Paul Kingsbury/The Nature Conservancy
1978

TNC purchased the property that would become the Taylor Hollow preserve after establishing a presence in the state.

A yellow butterfly visits a purple flower.
Taylor Hollow Wildflower A Swallowtail butterfly hangs on the flower of a Dwarf Larkspur plant. © Mike Davis
1995

The Taylor Hollow Preserve became a Designated State Natural Area pursuant to Tennessee state law that recognizes and protects unique, scientifically important ecosystems.

A yellow flower blooms from big green leaves.
Taylor Hollow Wildflower A celadine poppy grows at TNC's Taylor Hollow Preserve in Tennessee. © William Stoots
2017

Larkspur Conservation, a non-profit organization, purchased a parcel across the road from the Taylor Hollow Preserve to establish a green burial ground and welcome visitors to enjoy mindful recreation.

Dozens of small blue and white flowers emerge from big green leaves.
Taylor Hollow Wildflowers Blue-Eyed Marys grow at TNC's Taylor Hollow Preserve in Tennessee. © Mike Davis
2018

Larkspur Conservation donated a conservation easement to TNC to permanently prevent the land from being developed.

Taylor Hollow Wildflowers

Get inspired by Taylor Hollow's colorful spring palette.

Long thin petals emerge from a red wildflower.
Small blue and white flowers blanket a forest floor.
A curled up fern emerges from a forest floor.
Delicate white flowers emerge from bright green foliage.
A yellow flower emerges from green leaves.
A burgundy bloom emerges from a thick green stem.
A butterfly visits purple flowers in bloom.
Periwinkle flowers brighten a leafy forest floor.
Spring wildflowers bloom along a trail at Taylor Hollow.
Trumpet-shaped purple flowers emerge from bright green leaves.
Long thin petals emerge from a red wildflower.

Taylor Hollow Wildflowers: Wild Ginger grows at TNC's Taylor Hollow Preserve in Tennessee. © William Stoots

Small blue and white flowers blanket a forest floor.

Taylor Hollow Wildflowers: Blue-Eyed Marys grow at TNC's Taylor Hollow Preserve in Tennessee. © Mike Davis

A curled up fern emerges from a forest floor.

Taylor Hollow Wildflowers: A fiddlehead fern grows at TNC's Taylor Hollow Preserve in Tennessee. © Terry Cook

Delicate white flowers emerge from bright green foliage.

Taylor Hollow Wildflowers: Dutchman's Breeches grows at TNC's Taylor Hollow Preserve in Tennessee. © The Nature Conservancy/Terry Cook

A yellow flower emerges from green leaves.

Taylor Hollow Wildflower: A celadine poppy grows at TNC's Taylor Hollow Preserve in Tennessee. © William Stoots

A burgundy bloom emerges from a thick green stem.

Taylor Hollow Wildflowers: A pitcher plant grows at TNC's Taylor Hollow Preserve in Tennessee. © Mike Davis

A butterfly visits purple flowers in bloom.

Taylor Hollow Wildflower: A Swallowtail butterfly hangs on the flower of a Dwarf Larkspur plant. © Mike Davis

Periwinkle flowers brighten a leafy forest floor.

Taylor Hollow Wildflowers: Wood phlox grows at TNC's Taylor Hollow Preserve in Tennessee. © William Stoots

Spring wildflowers bloom along a trail at Taylor Hollow.

Taylor Hollow: Spring wildflowers bloom along the trail at Taylor Hollow. © Paul Kingsbury/The Nature Conservancy

Trumpet-shaped purple flowers emerge from bright green leaves.

Taylor Hollow Wildflower: Virginia bluebells grow at the Taylor Hollow Preserve in Tennessee. © The Nature Conservancy/Terry Cook

Taylor Hollow Wildflowers (38:32) Join The Nature Conservancy of Tennessee's Director of Science and Policy and wildflower aficionado, Sally Palmer, on a virtual tour of Taylor Hollow preserve.

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