William B. Clark Conservation Area

Visit

• ANIMALS
  • WILDLIFE You might see beavers, otters and turtles. Depending on the season, you will be able to see or hear prothonotary warblers, common yellowthroats, wood ducks, great blue herons, barred owls and red-shouldered hawks.
  • SNAKES Snakes are common in wetland ecosystems. They are also among the most misunderstood creatures one can encounter in the wild. Most are shy and retiring, and far from dangerous. Contrary to popular belief, only four of Tennessee’s 32 snake species are venomous. Even the venomous snakes are generally not aggressive and pose no threat to humans. If you see a snake, watch it from a safe distance and let it be. Remember: it is illegal to harm, kill or remove snakes in Tennessee.
    
  • BEAVERS Beaver dams regulate flowing water and often create vast wetland systems. These wetland areas help prevent stream bank erosion, improve water quality by trapping sediment and provide safe havens for young fish and amphibians.
    
• PLANTS & TREES
  • TREES Bald Cypress and Black Gum trees are common. Tupelo have a swollen base but no visible roots, while cypress usually have a network of aerial roots called "knees." The understory is dominated by Virginia willow, which turns purple-red in the fall. Yellow pond lilies are also common and provide a source of food for beavers and muskrat. 
  • PLANTS Rare plants such as Cumberland rosemary and white prairie clover inhabit the area.
  • DEAD TREES Whether falling or still standing, dead trees, or snag trees, are an integral part of the floodplain ecosystem. They provide important abitat for fish, birds, mammals, plants and insects. 
    
• HABITATS

  The Clark Conservation Area is located in a transitional area between two floodplain ecosystems: a bottomland hardwood forest and a tupelo swamp. Seasonal flooding in these wetlands renews nutrients in the soil, which filters pollutants out of the water. 

• AMENITIES
  • An award-winning 1600ft boardwalk
    
  • Short gravel trail to a ramp leading to the boardwalk
  • Informational Kiosk
  • Benches
  • Parking Area
• GUIDELINES
  • Check the local weather forecast and dress accordingly. 
  • A hat and drinking water are recommended. During warm weather, light color and light-weight clothing is suggested. 
  • Insect repellent, binoculars and birdwatching field guide(s) are worth bringing. 
  • Dogs are allowed on leash.
  • Biking is not allowed.
• PEAK USE
  • In late September and early October, bald cypress needles turn fiery copper and bronze and fall to the ground—giving it the name “bald cypress.”
  • During the fall the Virginia willow changes its leaves to a purple-red shade.
  • In early spring, prothonotary warblers choose the Clark Conservation Area’s wetlands swamps and snag trees for mating.
  • During spring and fall, beavers are most active, usually in the evening through early morning.