Mitchell Cove

Through private fundraising efforts, and partnerships with the South Cumberland Regional Land Trust and the Jumpoff Community Land Trust, TennGreen placed a conservation easement on nearly 1,000 acres of forested wildlife habitat in Sewanee, Tennessee. Conserving the property permanently protects the habitat for rare species, ensuring that the forested land stays undeveloped. This initiative limits future development and subdivisions, effectively safeguarding more than four miles of riparian habitat along streams and more than two miles of scenic bluffs overlooking Mitchell Cove. Also of high conservation importance, the property contains one of the best examples of Native American rock art in Tennessee: red pictographs created by the ancestors of the Native Americans, perhaps as early as 1,000 years ago.

TennGreen joined the project in mid-2017 when the South Cumberland Regional Land Trust (the land owners) reached out to us for a conservation easement on the property. This conservation easement is the final step in a decades-long commitment by South Cumberland Regional Land Trust and Jumpoff Community Land Trust to protect one of the most ecologically-diverse and scenic bluffs in our state. The Lyndhurst Foundation, The Tucker Foundation, and other donors generously provided funding to cover the due diligence costs (e.g., survey, title) to complete the conservation easement.

In 1990, a remarkable woman named Gale Link owned 1,100 acres of bountiful forests, mountains, and streams on the South Cumberland Plateau. Her property, which is now referred to as “Mitchell Cove”, could have fetched a high sum from any ambitious developer looking to make a quick buck. Thankfully, Gale had a vision to share the property with a dynamic group of people who promised to steward the land and keep it “forever wild.” They formed the Jumpoff Community Land Trust, purchased the land from Gale, and have maintained and protected it for over 25 years. Forming the first land trust in the region, this group, along with alumni of the University of the South and other interested conservation minded individuals, established the South Cumberland Regional Land Trust (SCRLT)—a volunteer board who also saw the value in preserving the ecological integrity of the land and shared the mission of conservation.

Today, we have reached the final step in making Gale’s dream of protecting her land permanent, thanks to the generosity of dozens of donors and the dedicated efforts of TennGreen. It’s hard to overstate the dedication of the TennGreen staff to this project over the past year. They made their first visits to Mitchell Cove in 2017 and have since returned numerous times to guide us through the conservation easement process. From writing grant requests and leading our fundraising campaign, to gathering survey bids, answering our questions, and drafting all of the paperwork needed to see this project through, they have led us with a wonderful spirit of positivity, perseverance, and professionalism. Since the SCRLT board is made up of volunteers with limited resources, time, and experience, the help of TennGreen was crucial to our success in safeguarding these wild lands from development. In the end, we met our fundraising goal and are nearing the finalization of the conservation easement—an outcome that we could have only dreamed about just a few years ago. While Gale Link is, sadly, no longer with us, the SCRLT rejoices in the fact that we are making her dream of a “forever wild” property a reality. The board of the SCRLT is tremendously thankful to everyone who helped bring this project to fruition, especially the TennGreen staff and the many who donated money to help us achieve this goal.