Tennessee is lucky to be one of the most biodiverse states in the nation. With numerous rare plants and animals, Tennessee is home to a variety of species, but sadly, many of these species are at risk. In September 2021, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service declared 23 species lost to extinction, with some of the lost species found in Tennessee.
In response, artist R.A. Fedde created a small series of paintings based on this declaration, focusing on the two areas where most of the impacted species were located: Hawai’i and the Tennessee River Valley. The proceeds from the artwork will be donated to support conservation in the areas that these lost species once called home, and TennGreen Land Conservancy is honored to be one of the chosen partners on this project.
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“I made this series of small works in tribute to each of the lost 23 [species], with the idea of using them to help prevent further losses by raising funds for two of the areas with the most losses on the list: Hawai’i and the Tennessee River Valley, which crosses several states.
For each piece, I spent time reading about and looking at images — in some cases, only etchings were available — of the lost species. I learned at least a little of how they lived, and what changed around them to keep their species from continuing. In every instance, the hand of humankind was the deathknell: deforestation, dams, invasive species. Then I created a fanciful image to honor the spirits of the departed. I see these works not as sorrowful, but as proud and defiant testimony. These creatures had their part to play, and we are all lessened by their loss. Their stories remind us we are all inextricably connected to everything in the natural world. Let us do what we may to protect habitats and prevent more such extinctions.”
—R.A. Fedde
TENNESSEE RIVER VALLEY
The Tennessee River Valley is one of the most biodiverse river systems in the United States. Unfortunately, many of its species are threatened or endangered. One such imperiled species is the freshwater mussel—which more than 100 species call the Tennessee River Valley their home. In 2021, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed eight freshwater mussels be removed from the Endangered Species list due to extinction. The mussels proposed for delisting were all located in the Southeast, America’s biodiversity hot spot for freshwater mussels, including several in the Tennessee River Valley.
Yellow-blossom Pearly Mussel
The yellow blossom pearly mussel (Epioblasma florentina florentina) was listed as endangered on June 14, 1976. At the time of listing, the single greatest factor contributing to the species’ decline was the alteration and destruction of stream habitat due to impoundments.
Turgid-blossom Pearly Mussel
The turgid blossom pearly mussel (Epioblasma turgidula) was listed as endangered on June 14, 1976. The turgid blossom was a medium-river, Cumberlandian-type mussel, also reported from the Ozarks. Habitat within the historical range of the turgid blossom has been significantly altered by water impoundments, siltation, and pollution.
Southern Acorn Mussel
The southern acornshell (Epioblasma othcaloogensis) was listed as endangered on March 17, 1993, primarily due to habitat modification, sedimentation, and water quality degradation.
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