Scott's Gulf Wilderness State Park Grows by 413 Acres Through Collaborative Conservation at Lost Creek

Tennessee (August 21, 2026)

This summer, The Nature Conservancy, TennGreen Land Conservancy and The Conservation Fund transferred 413 acres of ecologically significant land to the State of Tennessee, expanding Scott's Gulf Wilderness State Park and permanently protecting another remarkable piece of the Cumberland Plateau.

Just beyond the towering sandstone bluffs, hidden waterfalls, and winding streams that make nearby Lost Creek State Natural Area a treasured destination, expansive hardwood forests blanket the landscape. They shelter headwater streams, expansive cave systems, and diverse wildlife. By adding this additional acreage to Scott's Gulf Wilderness State Park, conservation partners have ensured that one of Tennessee's most ecologically rich landscapes will remain intact, preserving sensitive habitats for generations to come.

“Tennessee State Parks is grateful for the continued leadership and expertise of our NGO partners. Their commitment plays a vital role in the development of Scott’s Gulf Wilderness State Park and ensuring these exceptional natural resources are protected for the benefit of future generations,” said Chris Padgett, Director of Tennessee State Parks.

This property helps strengthen an important conservation corridor on the Cumberland Plateau, protecting forests, streams and habitat that support an incredible diversity of plants and wildlife," said Gabby Lynch, Director of Land for The Nature Conservancy in Tennessee. "Its addition to Scott's Gulf Wilderness State Park ensures these natural resources will remain protected while expanding opportunities for people to experience and connect with this remarkable landscape. Together with the adjacent Bridgestone Nature Reserve at Chestnut Mountain, these protected lands help conserve a larger connected landscape that benefits both wildlife and people." 

The property also lies within the Scotts Gulf Area of Interest, as identified by the Tennessee Heritage Conservation Trust Fund Act and is also part of the Middle Cumberland Plateau Conservation Opportunity Area designated in Tennessee's 2025 State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP). These designations recognize the property's importance as a conservation priority at both the state and regional levels. According to TN’s SWAP, the eastern half of the property ranks as highest-priority terrestrial habitat, while the entire 413-acre tract is recognized as high-priority habitat for subterranean ecosystems.

“This newly protected property encompasses a remarkable, diverse mosaic of mature forest, farmland, and critical waterways abutting Lost Creek and Dry Creek,” added Alice Hudson Pell, Executive Director of TennGreen. “These waterways contribute to the broader hydrological system of the Cumberland Plateau while flowing through one of Tennessee's most remarkable karst landscapes.”

Through an intricate network of caves, water disappears to resurface again in a multitude of ways. “Many of our favorite places in Tennessee are designated where this groundwater surfaces through springs and waterfalls, and the forests above these karst systems play a vital role in protecting groundwater quality,” Hudson Pell continued. “All of this supports the unique plants and animals that depend on these fragile subterranean ecosystems. Together, we’re proud to take another large step in conserving these natural assets.”

White County—home to one of the highest densities of caves in the United States—contains an extraordinary network of underground streams, sinkholes, springs, and caves that support rare aquatic species found nowhere else. Conserving forests overlying these cave systems is essential. This acquisition safeguards delicate ecosystems above and below, ensuring clean groundwater, stable cave environments, and the long-term health of Tennessee's globally significant karst landscape.

“Projects like this show what’s possible when conservation partners come together around a shared vision for Tennessee’s future. The Conservation Fund is proud to bring our expertise to these collaborative efforts, helping protect special places like Scott’s Gulf and the Cumberland Plateau for people and wildlife. We look forward to building on this partnership and continuing to help conserve the places that make Tennessee so extraordinary," said Zachary Lesch-Huie, Tennessee state director at The Conservation Fund.

With this transfer, the full 413-acre property will now be managed as part of Scott's Gulf Wilderness State Park, strengthening one of Tennessee's premier wilderness destinations while enhancing opportunities for both conservation and future outdoor recreation. 

Partnerships like this demonstrate how collaborative conservation can protect not only spectacular scenery, but also the forests, waterways, wildlife habitat, and natural heritage that make the Cumberland Plateau one of Tennessee's most extraordinary places.

TENNGREEN LAND CONSERVANCY 

is a 501(c)(3) environmental nonprofit and the oldest accredited statewide land conservancy in Tennessee. TennGreen’s mission is to conserve land where people and nature can thrive. Through sound science and partnerships, TennGreen identifies and conserves land across Tennessee for wildlife corridors, critical habitat, and public benefit. TennGreen protects, cares for, and connects people with Tennessee’s natural world by providing meaningful outdoor experiences, establishing conservation easements, supporting restoration efforts, and acquiring (or assisting in the acquisition of) privately held land.

THE CONSERVATION FUND 

protects the land that sustains us all. We are in the business of conservation, creating innovative solutions that drive nature-based action in all 50 states for climate protection, vibrant communities and sustainable economies. We apply effective strategies, efficient financing approaches and enduring government, community and private partnerships to protect millions of acres of America’s natural land, cultural sites, recreation areas and working forests and farms.