Staff Spotlight: Chad Green, Administrative Coordinator
If you’ve volunteered with TennGreen Land Conservancy in the last few years, served on our Board of Directors, or visited our historic office on Music Row in Nashville, then you know—and love—Chad Green.
Chad grew up in Mt. Washington, Kentucky, a small town 30 minutes south of Louisville. After a nature-steeped childhood, he would go on to earn his Master’s degree in Social Responsibility and Sustainable Communities from Western Kentucky University. Here at TennGreen, he’s our Administrative Coordinator and the initiator of our volunteer program.
Earlier this year, we sat down with Chad to learn more about what makes him tick, alongside how this concert-loving altruist got to where he is today.
What shaped your connection to nature?
As a kid, my parents would take my sister and me to Bernheim Forest, a 15,000+ acre nature preserve about 20 minutes from our house. We hiked trails, played in the creek beds, and had family picnics out there. I still visit the forest when I’m back home with family.
My grandparents also had a several-hundred-acre farm in Bardstown, KY. I would run and play the fields, interact with the animals and livestock, and explore the forests on their property, too. When I was in seventh and eighth grade, I had the wonderful opportunity to go on school-sponsored retreats to the Great Smoky Mountain Institute at Tremont. This greatly impacted my love of outdoor education and I was mesmerized by the mountains and forests in the Smokies, cementing my love of and curiosity for nature.
How did this connection form your relationship with nature as an adult?
In my college years and shortly after, I’d often hike and camp at the Red River Gorge with friends down in the heart of Daniel Boone National Forest. Around that time, my father and I were visiting national parks out west, too. Today, I share my love for the outdoors with my partner, Tommy. She and I have visited nearly 20 national parks together and have hiked and camped all around Tennessee.
Encountering scenery and wild places much different from home expands our appreciation for nature every time. I’ve also come to realize my love for nature photography and sharing it with others. Landscape shots, as well as getting up close and personal with wildflowers and mushrooms, are favorites that keep me constantly engaged with the outdoors.
What brought you to TennGreen?
Prior to joining TennGreen, my professional experience involved various analytical roles at a couple of different larger corporations. Eventually, my desire for a more rewarding career led me to pursue a Master’s in Social Responsibility and Sustainable Communities from Western Kentucky University. Through that graduate program, I was able to study and live abroad in Peru, where I conducted research and completed service projects in the Peruvian Amazon. Those life-changing experiences further cemented a more profound connection to nature—and the connections others share with our wild spaces.
After this, I knew I wanted to work for an environmentally-minded nonprofit, so when the opportunity to join the TennGreen team arose, I jumped at the chance to be a part of this fantastic organization.
What has been the most fulfilling thing about your expansive work?
I love connecting with people and having the opportunity to spread the message of the crucial work our organization does. It has been beyond fulfilling to learn that many places Tommy and I love—and have spent much time exploring here in Tennessee since moving to Nashville in 2014—were directly protected by the efforts of TennGreen. It’s a great feeling to know that our work plays such an essential role in protecting our beautiful and precious lands here, and that so many people are positively impacted through these efforts. That’s really what keeps me going.
How has creating TennGreen’s first full Volunteer Program impacted you?
This has been an amazing experience. I really enjoy leading volunteer outings and bringing people together. It’s also a great opportunity to educate others on topics such as invasive plant species removal. I’m extremely grateful for the numerous people who have taken time out of their busy schedules to help our organization with various volunteer service projects. Additionally, the gratitude we receive from the parks we often with is very rewarding.
What are your hopes for the future? What legacy do you hope to leave behind?
I am definitely excited to continue to expand our Volunteer Program and offer more opportunities for people to further connect with our goals and the protection of Tennessee’s natural resources alongside our members and supporters throughout the state.
In the end, I’d like to leave behind a legacy of passion and enthusiasm for environmental conservation that inspires others to take action to do their part to help protect the lands of our beautiful state and beyond.
What advice would you offer to others looking to make a difference for nature?
First off, I would tell people to get out and enjoy nature and share those experiences with family members and friends—especially their young ones. I would also tell people to get involved in whatever ways they can. Visit your local parks and state parks and find out what they may need help with. Participate in volunteer outings, too. They are an excellent opportunity to learn from and give back to nature. And if you can, please support organizations like TennGreen, as the work we’re all doing is more important now than ever
Want to learn more, join a hike or volunteer opportunity with Chad? Email us at info@tenngreen.org.
