Statements

Mission

The Land Trust for Tennessee's mission is to conserve the unique character of Tennessee's natural and historic landscapes and sites for future generations.

Background

The Land Trust for Tennessee was founded in 1999 by Phil Bredesen and a group of visionary conservation leaders. Jean C. Nelson served as the organization's first Executive Director and our first conservation successes took place in Leiper's Fork with the Preston family in December 1999. Our organization has since expanded its successes across the state of Tennessee.

No matter where you live or visit in the state, it's all at your doorstep. It's a unique bounty that we can all enjoy-but it requires vigilance and a continued investment if we want it to exist for future generations. It's a commitment and investment that we all must make today, because you cannot put a price on what we are saving for tomorrow. For 24 years, The Land Trust for Tennessee has worked in partnership with landowners and communities across the state to protect land important to the people of Tennessee. From family farms and historic landscapes, to public parks and forests spanning thousands of acres, the work of The Land Trust has a lasting impact on people and places.

The Land Trust for Tennessee received the 2020 Land Trust Alliance National Land Trust Excellence Award for its strategic and visionary work in conserving land that matters to people and places across Tennessee. We are recognized for meeting the highest industry standards for excellence and conservation permanence by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission. The Land Trust for Tennessee was the first land trust in Tennessee to earn accreditation by The Land Trust Alliance Accreditation Commission and the first to become re-accredited.

Impact

Since 1999, we have conserved more than 136,000 acres across our beautiful state. We protect a wide variety of private and public land in both rural and urban areas, including farms, parks, forests, scenic views, and historic lands. Our projects range from conserving 4,000 acres on the Cumberland Plateau to a ¼ acre garden in downtown Nashville.

Needs

Generous donations, gifts of land and the tireless work of our volunteers all play critical roles in achieving our mission. Thank you for your support.

CEO Statement

The distinctive, authentic, historic, natural lands of Tennessee connect and inspire all of us - visitors here for a day and those who live here for a lifetime. Our commitment is to leverage every available resource to ensure that places we love and the sense they instill are conserved forever. Each region and each community in our state has its own special natural character and its own needs and desires for the economy; for the health of its people; for its natural resources; for its farms, forests and waters; and for the needs of its families.

-We see vibrant cities and towns, where residents have access to parks and green space, with abundant and accessible fresh local food and clean water.
-We see a statewide urban green plan with green corridors connecting communities.
-We see small communities that have retained their natural and historic characteristics.
-We see expansive, vibrant working forests and natural forests.
-We see diverse, lively wildlife habitats in every region of our state.
-We see a rural landscape with a robust agricultural economy. We see a future where age-old farming communities thrive, while new faces join old with a clear intention of making rural Tennessee their home.
-We see a visitor's vision of Tennessee as one to behold and experience for its bustling cities with access to green spaces that reflect the natural beauty found in rural communities. We see a future when the protection of our scenic routes and small towns forever brings travelers to all parts of our state.
-We see citizens across Tennessee with an understanding of and commitment to the deep connection between land conservation and sense of place. We see a future when the hearts, minds, and everyday choices of Tennesseans make this a place where rich and poor, urban and rural, children and elders all have a connection to the land and its importance in their lives.
-We see Glen Leven Farm as a regional, if not national, center for conservation excellence, showcasing the work of The Land Trust and providing a direct connection to the land for people from all walks of life.
-We envision a future where Tennesseans know why this work is essential, know who we are and recognize the difference we have made.
-We envision a future where the Land Trust for Tennessee has expert staff and ample financial resources, including significant and ever-growing endowed funds that support operations, stewardship and land protection projects. Our work requires that we have the capacity and the capability to take on the biggest - sometimes heroic - conservation projects.

Service Categories
Primary Category:	Environment  - Land Resources Conservation
Secondary Category:	Environment  - Natural Resources Conservation & Protection
Tertiary Category:	Environment  - Forest Conservation

Areas Served

Under our statewide charter we assist communities and landowners throughout the state of Tennessee.

TN