Wild Waters, Wild Places: Continuing Clear Creek Conservation
In the summer of 2023, TennGreen Land Conservancy and Tennessee Citizens for Wilderness Planning (TCWP) worked closely together to raise funds for a critical acquisition to protect the viewshed, Dark Sky designation, and rich forests surrounding one of the last privately-owned parcels on Clear Creek. Thanks to the support of many donors, the effort was successful, and the land has since been acquired and protected.
Someday, this land will be owned and managed by the National Park Service as part of the Obed Wild & Scenic River. And success breeds more success! This interest from the community and generosity from donors inspired a nearby landowner to meet with TennGreen about conserving additional land in the area. With great excitement, TennGreen leapt at the opportunity to purchase it on behalf of our National Park Service partners.
‘stunning views of the Clear Creek gorge, biodiverse forests, and dramatic rock outcroppings’
This newly protected land is remarkable. It features stunning views of the Clear Creek gorge, biodiverse forests, and dramatic rock outcroppings. The threatened Cumberland rosemary (Conradina verticillata) has been found on-site, making this a botanically-significant conservation win.
This most recent acquisition adds another half-mile of protected frontage along Clear Creek, bringing TennGreen’s total in the area to approximately 1.2 miles. This expansion builds on the adjacent Brewer Tract and reinforces the area’s designation in Tennessee’s State Wildlife Action Plan as a top-tier priority for upstream aquatic conservation and high-value habitat.
Why protect wild waters?
Clean water starts with healthy forests and intact landscapes. Conserving these places not only protects Tennessee’s biodiversity but also helps safeguard drinking water, support climate resilience, and preserves outdoor recreation opportunities.
This effort also aligns with TennGreen’s Strategic Land Conservation Plan, which emphasizes protecting rivers and streams, securing habitat for imperiled species, and connecting safeguarded lands. Conservation works best when lands are connected—supporting wildlife corridors, ecosystem health, and resilient landscapes for generations to come.
TennGreen is deeply grateful to the visionary supporters who made these acquisitions possible and to our steadfast partners at TCWP and the National Park Service. Together, we are ensuring that the wild places and wild waters of Tennessee stay protected—for all of us.
Top Image: Lilly Bluff Overlook, Clear Creek by CHUCK SUTHERLAND
