The Tennessee section of the Cumberland Plateau—the world’s longest hardwood forested plateau—faces an array of threats from timber harvesting, development and invasive species. But the region’s climate-resilient lands are critical for helping plants and animals find refuge to grow and thrive even as the planet warms.
Our work in Tennessee has permanently protected a biologically rich area that doubles as a popular rock-climbing destination, as well as lands for the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency for hunting, hiking and wildlife viewing.
A multimedia Story Map showcases some of this land conservation work by OSI and its partners atop the Southern Cumberland Plateau.
Saving the Southern Cumberlands
A Case Study of the Southern Cumberland Plateau and the Fiery Gizzard Trail
All told in Tennessee, we’ve made grants and loans totaling more than $4.4 million, which have helped the state’s conservation groups and agencies protect 17,505 acres of their most important places.