Statements
Mission
The mission of the Cumberland River Compact is to enhance the health and enjoyment of the Cumberland River and its tributaries through education, restoration, and collaboration.
Background
Since its founding in 1997 by a small group of dedicated individuals, the Compact's course of collaboration and non-confrontation has been recognized as effective in the monumental challenge of water protection in the 18,000 square miles of the Cumberland River basin. Our accomplishments include receiving the Whirlpool/Siemen award for Excellence in Conservation in 1998, being among one of only 20 organizations to be awarded a Water Initiative Grant by the EPA in 2003, recognition in the American Museum of Natural History, being named a Center for Watershed Solutions by the EPA - the first in the Southeast, and most recently received the Governor's Conservation Stewardship Award for building new Nature Centers with EarthCraft green infrastructure certification. We received the Governor's Environmental Stewardship Award in 2019 and 2021, the Conservation Partner of the Year Award from NRCS District Conservationist and Environmental Educator of the Year in 2022. In 2023, the Compact broke ground on the largest suburban stream restoration in the state of Tennessee - Trace Creek at Stephens Valley. That same year, the Working Lands program expanded to include work on previously mined land. In March of 2024, nearly 50 acres of previously mined land were planted with nearly 35,000 trees.
Impact
There are more than 3 million people and thousands of species that depend on clean water from the Cumberland River. Additionally, Tennessee is the most biodiverse inland state in the U.S. As the population of Tennessee increases and the threats to clean water and healthy habitat become more numerous, the Compact strives to build a diverse portfolio of projects to make headway in areas that we identify as most urgent. We pride ourselves on partnership. We support individuals, communities, and organizations in their conservation efforts and aim to empower them to care for their land and water through action, education, and collaboration.
The Compact's work aims to address the multifaceted root causes of water pollution to provide clean and abundant water throughout the Cumberland River basin. The work of the Compact is complex and wide-ranging as it spans an 18,000 square miles watershed of rugged wilderness, beautiful streams, and charming towns in the Cumberland River basin of Kentucky and Tennessee. We tackle these issues through four programmatic areas: Stream Restoration, Urban Waters, Working Lands, and Education and Engagement.
Here are a few examples of how we fill community needs to achieve the most environmental impact.
Our Working Lands division works to reforest previously mined land in Appalachia. The Compact identified a need for "small" restoration sites ranging from 50 - 300 acres. This size of site is typically too small to pursue for larger mineland reforestation organizations. The Compact can take on these "small" projects and have a significant impact on habitat, especially when the sites are adjacent to or located within other protected sites, such as our work within the Cumberland Forest in partnership with the Nature Conservancy. In March 2024, nearly 35,000 trees were planted on 50 acres near Lafollette, TN.
Root Nashville is a citywide campaign, led by the Cumberland River Compact and Metro Nashville, to plant 500,000 trees in Davidson County by 2050. The Compact focuses on planting trees on private property, while the city plants on public property. The city is limited to how many trees can be planted annually due to maintenance and upkeep. To maximize the number of trees that can be planted each year, the Cumberland River Compact's field team provides the watering and maintenance, watering over 6,000 trees per week May - September.
The Education and Engagement division provides learning experiences for K-12 students and continued education for teachers. Another notable aspect of their education is in partnership with local municipalities to provide stormwater compliance training and green infrastructure maintenance. As we encourage cities to install green infrastructure features such as rain gardens and roadside bioswales to clean stormwater, maintenance is key to their long-term success. We partner with municipalities to provide maintenance training so that their investment retains value and additional projects will be funded in the future.
The Stream Restoration division encompasses a variety of urban and rural initiatives to repair stream banks, restore natural water flow, and enhance native plant and animal habitats. The largest suburban stream restoration in Tennessee history broke ground in the Fall of 2023 with a projected construction completion date of Fall 2024. The restoration project on Trace Creek near the Natchez Trace boasts 2.6 miles of restored stream with 15,000 native trees and shrubs planted.
Needs
The Cumberland River Compact supports individuals and communities in their conservation efforts and empowers them to care for their land and water. We need people to take action through Compact initiatives to enhance water quality in their communities whether that be through planting a tree with Root Nashville, participating in a no mow month or installing a pocket prarie, attending a volunteer event, or becoming a one-time or recurring donor to the Compact.
CEO Statement
Water has always been and will always be our lifeline.
As regions around the U.S. suffer drought, frequent flooding, and extreme heat, the Cumberland River's steadfast flow supports the health and prosperity of three million people and thousands of species. It nourishes us and transports our commodities. It teaches our children the joy of fishing, swimming, and exploration. The water flowing through our basin keeps the hills lush and green and the aquatic habitat thriving. As the caretakers of one of the most biodiverse freshwater regions in the world, the Cumberland River Compact has the important job of ensuring clean and abundant water for all people, animals, and habitats in the basin.
The Cumberland River Compact is a non-profit group that believes we can have both a strong economy and a healthy environment. We work with all interested organizations and individuals to help ensure that our rivers and streams continue to provide us with clean water, bountiful crops, healthy fisheries, and abundant recreational opportunities.
The Cumberland River Compact's work is firmly rooted in science, leveraging environmental research and data-driven methodologies to protect and improve the health of the Cumberland River and its tributaries. By collaborating with scientists, researchers, and environmental experts, the Compact ensures that its conservation strategies are both effective and sustainable. The organization employs innovative and established restoration techniques to address water pollution, habitat degradation, and climate challenges. This science-based approach guides the Compact's initiatives and informs its community practices, fostering a resilient and thriving watershed for future generations.
The Cumberland River Compact distinguishes itself among environmental nonprofits through its unique blend of community engagement, education, and innovative, science-based conservation strategies focused on the Cumberland River watershed. The Compact seeks to foster a deep, place-based connection with local communities. This hyper-local focus allows for tailored programs that address the unique ecological and socio-economic needs of the region. Furthermore, the Compact's commitment to collaborative partnerships with government agencies, businesses, and educational institutions amplifies its impact, creating a comprehensive network dedicated to the health and sustainability of the Cumberland River. This distinctive approach drives measurable environmental improvements and cultivates a sense of stewardship and environmental literacy within the communities
Service Categories |
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| Primary Category: | Environment - Natural Resources Conservation & Protection |
| Secondary Category: | Environment - Environmental Education |
| Tertiary Category: | Environment - Management & Technical Assistance |
Areas Served
14 watersheds that comprise the Cumberland River basin.
| KY |
| TN |
| TN - Bedford |
| TN - Cannon |
| TN - Cheatham |
| TN - Clay |
| TN - Coffee |
| TN - Davidson |
| TN - Dickson |
| TN - Franklin |
| TN - Giles |
| TN - Montgomery |
| TN - Putnam |
| TN - Rutherford |
| TN - Smith |
| TN - Sumner |
| TN - Williamson |
| TN - Wilson |
