FRANKLIN COUNTY, Tenn. (Dec. 20, 2021) — The Open Space Institute (OSI) and The Conservation Fund (TCF) today announced the addition of approximately 1,100 acres to the Bear Hollow Mountain Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in southcentral Tennessee. The newly protected land connects two sections of the WMA while expanding precious habitat for wildlife.
The forested Corum property, which was protected by TCF with the support of OSI, contains unique and rugged karst geology that can support high biodiversity. The land provides suitable habitat for eight bat species federally designated as "Greatest Conservation Need," as well as several federally listed plant species -- including Price's Potato Bean and Moorefield's Leather-flower.
OSI supported protection of the Corum property through its Southern Cumberland Land Protection Fund. Through five separate OSI-supported projects, approximately 11,000 acres around Bear Hollow Mountain WMA have been conserved.
"OSI is proud to have supported this astounding conservation success for Bear Hollow Mountain Wildlife Management Area, and for the people of Tennessee," said Joel Houser, OSI's Southeast Field Coordinator. "This land will remain viable habitat for biodiversity, even as the climate changes. We salute The Conservation Fund, The Nature Conservancy, and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, for their tireless efforts on behalf of Tennessee's natural places.”