Tennessee

Land for climbers and critters

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. 

All told in Tennessee, we’ve made grants and loans totaling more than $3.5 million, which have helped the state’s conservation groups and agencies protect 12,890 acres of their most important places.