Indian Valley Farm Conservation Easement Protects 46 Historied Acres in Williamson County

Tennessee (February 3, 2026) – In December 2025, TennGreen Land Conservancy closed on protecting the Indian Valley Farm Conservation Easement, ensuring nearly 46 acres of land in Franklin will stay whole, undeveloped, and thriving—just as the Yates family always hoped.

For siblings Scott Yates and Carolyn Rambo, this project is deeply personal. Their parents, David and Ann Yates, purchased the property in 1972, raising their family among the woods and fields that define this corner of Williamson County. Scott and Carolyn grew up exploring the land, learning its rhythms, and developing a lasting connection to the place they would later be entrusted to care for.

Their parents always wanted to see this land protected. So, after they passed, Scott and Carolyn ensured that wish was honored not just for their family, but for the future of this area.

Indian Valley Farm rests where open land is increasingly at risk of subdivision. By placing a conservation easement on the property, Scott and Carolyn ensured that the land would remain intact, preventing future development while allowing it to continue supporting wildlife, clean water, and the character of the surrounding landscape.

‘Completing this conservation easement reflects the landowners’ deep care for the property and their commitment to protecting its natural resources and wildlife habitat’

“Indian Valley Farm is a special place, defined by its forested landscape, open space, and proximity to streams that contribute to the West Harpeth River. Completing this conservation easement reflects the landowners’ deep care for the property and their commitment to protecting its natural resources and wildlife habitat,” celebrated Kristen Hanratty, TennGreen’s Director of Private Land Conservation. “I’m incredibly grateful for their generosity and vision in ensuring this land remains protected and thoughtfully stewarded for generations to come.”

The land itself tells a rich story, too. Predominantly forested with pockets of pasture and hay fields, Indian Valley Farm reflects the rolling terrain of the Western Highland Rim, shaped over time by limestone-rich soils that nourish healthy forests and streams. Two branches—Poorhouse Branch and Tucker Branch—border the property, eventually flowing into the West Harpeth River, one of Middle Tennessee’s most ecologically important waterways. Protecting land like this helps safeguard water quality downstream while maintaining natural buffers along these creeks.

Wildlife also finds refuge here. Williamson County is known for its biodiversity, and the forests surrounding Indian Valley Farm contribute to a larger network of habitat used by birds, mammals, and native plants. Rare species documented in the surrounding area—including the cerulean warbler, which relies on mature deciduous forests—underscore the importance of preserving connected forestland. The property also plays a role in a broader climate corridor that stretches toward the Natchez Trace Parkway, allowing species to move and adapt as conditions change.

A Growing Mosaic of Conserved Land in Williamson County

Indian Valley Farm is now a conservation neighbor to other protected lands, including nearby TennGreen-held conservation easements, Franklin city parks to the east, and the Natchez Trace Parkway to the west. Together, these protected places form a growing mosaic of conserved land in Williamson County—one that preserves scenic views, strengthens wildlife corridors, and maintains the rural character that draws people to this region in the first place.

For the Yates family and TennGreen, the Indian Valley Farm Conservation Easement represents a strategic and timely conservation success. As part of the organization’s Urban Focal Area, the project helps protect critical land before development pressures intensify, preserving forest connectivity, clean water, and wildlife habitat at Nashville’s doorstep.

Most importantly, it stands as a reminder that conservation is not just about acres and maps—it is about people, memories, and promises kept. Thanks to the vision and dedication of Scott Yates and Carolyn Rambo, Indian Valley Farm will remain a place of beauty, history, and life for generations to come.

If you or anyone you know stands ready to protect land in Tennessee, please contact us at land@tenngreen.org.

TennGreen Land Conservancy is a 501(c)(3) environmental nonprofit and the oldest accredited statewide land conservancy in Tennessee. TennGreen’s mission is to conserve land where people and nature can thrive. Through sound science and partnerships, TennGreen identifies and conserves land across Tennessee for wildlife corridors, critical habitat, and public benefit. TennGreen protects, cares for, and connects people with Tennessee’s natural world by providing meaningful outdoor experiences, establishing conservation easements, supporting restoration efforts, and acquiring (or assisting in the acquisition of) privately held land.

Top Photo: Landowners siblings Scott Yates and Carolyn Rambo and Indian Valley Farm Conservation Easement. All photos by Kristen Hanratty, Director of Private Land Conservation, TennGreen Land Conservancy