Renew America Success Stories

Tennessee River Gorge Trust, Inc.

Description

Established in 1986, the Tennessee River Gorge Trust was created by Chattanooga area residents, under the auspices of the Tennessee Nature Conservancy, to protect the 25,000 acres of land within the Tennessee River Gorge.

One of the four largest canyons in the Eastern United States, such is the beauty of the 26-mile Gorge that it has been dubbed the "little Grand Canyon" by some naturalists. In addition to its physical beauty, ecologists have documented the Gorge as one of the most biologically diverse places in the United States, containing numerous endangered plants and animals.

Rather than lose portions of this pristine gorge to development, a group of local citizens more than a decade ago began a campaign, based on the Nature Conservancy model, to buy the 25,000 acres of land within the gorge to ensure its preservation. To date, about half of the area has been preserved.

In addition to preservation, the Trust is dedicated to environmental education and conveying the value of environmental stewardship. To this end, the Trust has established the Pot Point facility, a scientific field station. Here, students and the public are exposed to the beauty of the area, and are taught about the value of the entire conservation movement.

Finally, as a result of working to preserve Chattanooga's natural beauty, the city has enjoyed the benefit from businesses that have chosen to settle in the area.

Program Highlights

Preservation of the Tennessee River Gorge

• More than 13,000 acres, slightly more than half of the targeted area, have already been protected. About 4,000 acres are owned by the Tennessee River Gorge Trust, and the remaining 9,000 acres are protected through various agreements with the respective land owners.
• A permanent monitoring system has been established that records forest growth rates as well as other developments to convey information about the region's health.
• A bird monitoring program has also been established that compares nest sizes of various bird populations to help determine the health of migrating and song bird species.

• The Trust's environmental outreach programs bring inner-city high school students to the Pot Point facility, Chattanooga's first scientific field station owned by the Trust. Here, students have access to an outdoor laboratory and to the recently established herbarium containing 640 plant species.
• The Trust works closely with industry on the control and clean up of hazardous waste dump sites.
• The Trust hosts three annual "interpretive walks" through the Gorge to promote public awareness about the value of the gorge and the environment in general.
• The Trust is a participant in the Annual Hawk Watch program.

Vital Statistics

Program Management/Partnerships: The Tennessee River Gorge Trust is a nonprofit corporation that cooperates with a number of state agencies and local organizations in its preservation and stewardship efforts.

Budget: $350,000 operating budget for 1996.

Community Served: The 430,000 residents of the Chattanooga area. Area scientists and schools benefit from free use of the science field station, and citizens benefit from an increased quality of life and the economic impact of businesses moving into the area.

Measures of Success:

More than 13,000 acres, slightly more than half of the targeted area, have been protected. About 4,000 acres are owned by the Tennessee River Gorge Trust and the remaining 9,000 acres are protected through various agreements with the respective land owners.

Approximately 500 students participate in the Trust's programs annually.

Approximately 200 citizens participate in events annually.

The Trust has approximately 630 members.

Success stories designed by Mark Nowak

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