Tennessee’s government takes a giant leap forward in protecting the Duck River’s critical biodiversity, recreation, and sustainability. (Photo: Gov. Bill Lee working along the Duck River, Tennessee Wildlife Federation)
In April, TennGreen Land Conservancy welcomed Tennessee Governor Bill Lee to their historic office in downtown Nashville. The private gathering held hopes of furthering state conservation efforts amid rapid growth, development, and pressing legislation.
“We remain committed to preserving our state’s natural beauty and rich resources so that Tennesseans can enjoy the great outdoors for generations to come,” Governor Lee stated that Wednesday. “Great to meet with TennGreen to commend their work and share Tennessee’s conservation strategy for a bright future.”
This fall, Gov. Lee delivered on his promise, signing Executive Order 108 into action on Nov. 20, 2024—affirming his administration’s commitment to the Duck River. In doing so, Tennessee’s government took a giant leap forward in ensuring the Duck continues to be a bountiful resource of both recreation and biodiversity.
Why the Duck River?
The Duck River is one of the most biodiverse rivers on our planet. “It provides drinking water to more than a quarter million people living along the watershed, as well as being a source of enjoyment and recreation; a place to disconnect from the noise of modern life and find peace in nature,” Tennessee Wildlife Federation (TWF) pinpoints.
“Underneath the surface, the river teems with such an abundant variety of freshwater animal life that has earned its standing as North America’s most biologically diverse freshwater river and, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, one of three hot spots for fish and mussel diversity in the entire world,” The Nature Conservancy adds.
But in 2024, the Duck was listed in the top three most endangered rivers in the United States due to increasing threats from Middle Tennessee’s rapid growth.
Over the last decade, TennGreen, Tennessee Wildlife Federation, The Nature Conservancy, Southern Environmental Law Center, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA), and the Lee administration – alongside other crucial partners – have worked tirelessly to conserve the Duck River for the critical reasons above.
“The Duck River is a treasured resource, and the Federation applauds this step to its long term conservation,” TWF lauds of Gov. Lee’s November Order.
The Specifics of Governor Lee’s Executive Order 108
As TWF states, Executive Order 108 affirms Governor Lee’s commitment to the Duck River by:
- Creating the Duck River Watershed Planning Partnership, which will develop comprehensive watershed management recommendations and advise the state on policies and actions to promote conservation of the river.
- Directing TDEC to carry out long-needed Comprehensive Regional Drought Management Planning on the river, and directing TDEC to revise the Normandy Reservoir Management Plan.
- Continuing the implementation of TDEC’s pilot program for water withdrawal permitting, but with a renewed prioritization on regionalization and reducing water loss.
- Directing TDEC to lead Habitat Conservation Planning under Section 10 of the Endangered Species Act to aid in the conservation of the Duck River’s endangered mussels.
- Directing TDEC to evaluate long-term solutions that reduce reliance on the Duck River as a drinking water source, including large-scale infrastructure projects.
- Looking at the surrounding watershed as a whole, putting an increased emphasis on natural infrastructure and innovative approaches to stormwater management as methods of ensuring the health of the river.
- Directing TDEC and TWRA to identify other watersheds where these activities can and also should replicate.
“This executive order represents a major stride in the correct direction—but our work isn’t complete,” TWF continues. “In order to ensure the long term health of the river, we will need to show the Governor that this is a priority for conservationists throughout Tennessee.”
TennGreen’s Work Along the Duck
For over 25 years, TennGreen Land Conservancy has conserved land where people and nature can thrive—safeguarding wetlands, grasslands, mountains, forests, and waterways across the state we call home. Through projects like Happy Hollow WMA, Star Branch Headwaters, Rockdale Trace, and Mayberry Hollow Conservation Easement, TennGreen has protected (and will in perpetuity) the Duck River alongside its tributaries and feeder streams.
At Mayberry Hollow—an easement recently expanded to over 70 acres—diverse habitats protect a large diversity of breeding birds and freshwater animals in the Duck’s broader ecosystem. Fort Cooper Creek runs through the property and empties into Lick Creek, a feeder stream to the Duck River.
In 2024, landowner Tommy Pinkston acquired and added an additional 9.3 acres to the Mayberry Hollow, further protecting this area’s riparian corridor. Here, the Pinkwood Branch ultimately feeds the Duck—a waterway of critical conservation concern.
Similarly, Star Branch Headwaters is a Conservation Easement named for the Star Branch stream which flows through the property for more than three-quarters of a mile. Waters on the land continue downstream into the protected Big Swan Headwaters Preserve, part of the Lower Duck River watershed. In addition to the streams, Star Branch Headwaters contains nearly an acre of a calcareous seep wetland—a critical source of recharging waters for the Duck. The area has been protected by a 141 acre easement since 2022.
‘Conservation easements, such as the one at Rockdale Trace, are ideal for permanently preserving land in the watershed of this critical waterway’
(Turtle hatchling at Rockdale Trace, TennGreen)
In 2021, TennGreen partnered with Swan Conservation Trust (SCT) and a private landowner to assume responsibility for the Rockdale Trace conservation easement in Lewis County, Tennessee. Rainwater falling on the Rockdale Trace property flows into the Duck River from Big Bigby Creek. This followed 2017’s groundbreaking work to protect 1,358 acres adjacent to The Farm with a conservation easement called Big Swan Headwaters.
To reduce sediment entering creeks, it’s essential to protect forested tracts in the headwaters and along the Duck. Conservation easements such as Rockdale and Big Swan are ideal for permanently preserving land in the watershed of this critical waterway.
Through acquisitions, TennGreen also assisted in the formation of 1,800-acre Happy Hollow Wildlife Management Area. This Hickman County WMA consists of upland oak forests with steep ridges and wet valleys along the Duck River. It also remains the river’s largest protected area.
Protecting Tennessee in Perpetuity
And in 2023, TennGreen embarked upon the latest full-scale strategic planning process to adapt to the ever-changing conservation needs of Tennessee and protect the special places that matter to you—TennGreen’s loyal members, partners, colleagues, civic leaders, and communities. The completed 2024-2029 Strategic Plan launches a new chapter in TennGreen’s storied history. As our treasured lands are passed on to the next generation, and development pressures continue to accelerate, we stand poised to have a greater conservation impact in areas of critical importance like the Duck River.
If you or someone you know also stands ready to protect land along the Duck, please contact us.