Rockdale Cedar Glades & Woodlands
In December 2024, TennGreen Land Conservancy and Allen Patton protected 50 acres of globally unique cedar glade habitat in Middle Tennessee’s Rutherford County with a conservation easement.
Called Rockdale Cedar Glades & Woodlands, Patton’s land abuts TennGreen’s Lamar Cedar Glades & Woodlands Conservation Easement, increasing this connected corridor of protected land to an expansive 256 acres. Limestone cedar glades and barrens, which are incredibly diverse but under threat from development and pollution, are found on the protected properties. This additional 50-acre easement is also within the Spring Creek HUC 12 Watershed and the Stones River Upper HUC 12 Watershed, marking it as critical habitat.
According to Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation Division of Natural Areas’ database, seven rare species have been recorded within one mile of Rockdale Cedar Glades & Woodlands. These at-risk species include Limestone fame-flower (Phemeranthus calcaricus), Tennessee milk-vetch (Astragalus tennesseensis), Glade cleft phlox (Phlox bifida) and the gray bat (Myotis grisescens).
Rockdale Cedar Glades & Woodlands is located within the Interior Low Plateau Cedar Glades Conservation Opportunity Area (COA) as described by the Tennessee State Wildlife Action Plan. A goal within this COA is to increase acres of protected habitat to expand landscape connectivity and secure unique habitat.
For more information and fascinating insight into Middle Tennessee’s cedar glades, click here.
“We are deeply grateful for Allen Patton and the commitment that made this project possible. Protecting the limestone cedar glades and barrens on this property preserves globally unique and fragile ecosystems that support specialized plant and animal species. Located within the Spring Creek and Stones River Upper Watersheds, this easement also safeguards key habitats for rare species like Tennessee milk-vetch and the gray bat, supporting their survival and the integrity of these critical landscapes.”