Current Projects

Special Features
This land contains exceptional scenic, recreational and ecological value. It is a true wilderness area located in the northern Cumberland Plateau region of Tennessee. Elevations are generally 1200-2000 feet, with Crab Orchard Mountains reaching over 3000 feet. It receives slightly more precipitation with cooler annual temperatures. Soils are generally well-drained and acidic. The region is primarily in deciduous forest with pine and hemlock.

Clear Fork River (south prong) flows north and borders this property, which defines the Fentress and Morgan county line. In Scott County, Clear Fork joins the New River, and from this confluence is known as the Big South Fork of the Cumberland River.

• Defines southeastern boundary with 3,600 feet of frontage

• Northwestern boundary defined by 2,070 feet of Crooked Creek that forms beautiful gorge

• Part of a world class whitewater canoeing and kayaking area

• Classified as a class II + with one section of III toward the end

• The Nature Conservancy has listed this area as a “Watershed Hot Spot” for its rare plant and animal species (34 total)

• The Tennessee Rivers Assessment Project rated Clear Fork as excellent for its fishing qualities

• Hiking trail converted from old logging trail follows along river with interesting rock house formations bordered heavily by hemlock

There is a conservation agreement in place on this property that contains certain restrictions relating to development and subdivision rights. These have been put in place to ensure that this land will forever retain its conservation value. This agreement will remain with the property in perpetuity.

For more information about this property, contact:
Lee Blackburn
Omni Realty
T 615.826.4436 | F 615.826.4438 | C 615.715.6315
lee@omnirealty.net
or
Dianne Naff
Tennessee Parks and Greenways Foundation
T 615.386.3171 | F 615.826.4438 | C 615.519.3106
landacq@earthlink.net

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Gary Myers Fishing Fund

The Tennessee Parks and Greenways Foundation established the Gary Myers Fishing Fund to honor Director Gary Myers and his extraordinary 35-year career with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. Tens of thousands of acres have been conserved in Tennessee because of Director Myers’ vision, leadership and quiet determination. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is recognized nationally for its professionalism and good services for wildlife and for public benefit.  His work has led to millions of dollars invested through on-the-ground action to conserve and increase waterfowl, fish habitat, and land conservation to benefit wildlife of all kinds from Canada to Mexico. Our goal is to raise $100,000 for loans to acquire walk-in fishing sites across Tennessee – places you can fish, but can’t boat to. Current and future generations will benefit from Director Myers’ lifetime of great accomplishments!

Please contact Kathleen Williams at the Foundation (615-386-3171) for more information. 

To make a tax-deductible charitable contribution, please click below.

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RANDOLPH BLUFF

Summary:  From the riverboat landing at rivers edge up to the Public Promenade, it is a historic and natural Tennessee treasure that needs to be preserved.  This land, part of the second Chickasaw Bluff, is important for its unique geology, archeology, history, ecology, and scenery.   The 18.9 acre property has a 4-bedroom dwelling.  We need your help!  This opportunity may never come again.

Setting:  Travel west on State Highway 59 out of Covington through pastoral scenes and rolling farmland. As you come to the Randolph area, Highway 59 runs along the top of Chickasaw Bluff. Just before the road drops off the escarpment and runs into the Mississippi River, Randolph Road takes you to Ballard Slough Road, then it turns north and runs   along the top of the bluff ridge.  Ballard Slough Road starts its gradual descent down the bluff to the Old Town and turns north along what was known as the town “Under The Hill.”  South of Ballard Slough Road lays the Starr property.  From the top terrace with its vast view of the river, its three descending terraces cascade to the edge of old Man River.  South of the terraces is the wooded natural area and spring.

The Case for Conservation: 

For its alluring scenery alone: This land should be conserved.  

To preserve this scenic vista looking up and down river:  The River makes a big turn at this point to form what is called The Devils Elbow.  In the 1830s and 1840 this spot was a natural port and riverboat landing.  Randolph outstripped Memphis in trade in the early 1830s. 

To preserve Tennessee’s archeological history: This property is adjacent to two identified archeological sites.  On the north where Indian Creek empties into the Hatchie River and the Hatchie River empties into the Mississippi River, a large prehistoric Indian village from the late Mississippian period circa 1400-1600 was located here and a second village site south of this land at Sugar Creek and Richardson’s landing.  Some of the largest museums in the country have collections from this site that were obtained in the early 20^th century. 

To preserve Tennessee’s Civil War history: During the early days of the Civil War, Randolph became the Confederate Boot Camp or Camp of Instruction.  Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest enlisted as a private here and went on to become a Lieutenant General.  Of the several thousand soldiers that signed up or trained here, over a dozen reached the rank of general by wars end.  Maps of the period show how the three terraces were used for gun emplacements.  In October 1864, raiders attacked the Steamship Belle St. Louis while it was docked here. 

To conserve Tennessee’s natural areas: The natural spring on this property, shown on an 1829 map and mentioned in Civil War period letters, is still flowing year-round today.  The wooded part of the property could be designated as a natural area with plenty of hiking trails and campsites. 

To provide a vital link and destination for the Mississippi River Trail: This natural treasure could be an international destination as part of the MRT.  Structures on the property could provide lodging as a hostel and commissary for long-distance hikers and bikers on the trail.   

To support the larger initiative to preserve the region’s key attractions: This land supports existing state and regional plans, including the master plan for the Mississippi River Corridor, a multi-agency ecotourism project. Nearby Fort Pillow State Historical Park (17 miles north) is an extension of the river defenses started at Fort Randolph, later to be known as Fort Wright.  The only known in-ground Civil War powder magazine still existing today is located adjacent to this property. 

To provide river access: TWRA fishing access could be provided at this site with boat launching or landing, as well as bank fishing, kayaking, river gazing and barge watching, bird watching or a beautiful place for inspiration and quiet reflection.  Mississippi River views don’t get better than this. 

To use the structures on the Property to tell the Story of the River Life:  

·         A River Heritage Museum could showcase the people, photographs, and interviews that depict traditional folklife of the river. 

·         A Tennessee Archeological and Geological Museum that showcases Tennessee’s ancient artifacts and Native American art, and dimensional geologic interpretation that depicts Tennessee’s formation. 

·        A Mississippi River Trail hostel, commissary, headquarters, and equipment storage/garage could attract international hikers to this picturesque Mississippi valley, historical park.   

·         A Civil War Museum and interpretive center for Fort Wright and the powder magazine will attract re-enactors and history buffs with a new stop on the Heritage Trail. 

For more information: Contact Dianne Naff, Land Acquisition Manager at 615-386-3171.

To make a donation, please click below.

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Support for State Parks. Through our State Park Connections program we award small grants to create greenways or trails to or in State Parks and Natural Areas. We funded state park projects all across Tennessee at places like:  Reelfoot Lake, Cumberland Trail, North Chickamauga Creek, Radnor Lake, and Sycamore Shoals.  Now we are working to raise money so that we can have this grant program in 2008.  (If you know a corporation that might want excellent publicity and has an interest in State Parks – call us with your suggestions.)

Partners for Pathways.  We developed a partnership with State Parks and the Tennessee Ready Mixed Concrete Association for getting a free new “pervious” concrete for use in State Parks for accessible overlooks, parking, trails, picnic shelters, and other small projects to give the public more access to our State Parks without harming the environment.  Concrete projects will be competitively selected in 2008 with an application process.

Connecting Fall Creek Falls to Scott’s Gulf. We had a vision that through strategic acquisition and conservation of the natural treasures in Scott’s Gulf, we could create a 60,000-acre wilderness area connecting the Bridgestone/Firestone Centennial Wilderness Area to Fall Creek Falls State Park, Tennessee’s most visited State Park. A protected corridor between Bridgestone/Firestone Centennial Wilderness Area and Fall Creek Falls would enhance the natural beauty, forests, waters, and wildlife of Scott’s Gulf, and provide an excellent opportunity for others to experience the  beautiful scenery, wildlife, rivers and streams, and the great outdoors for which our state is famous.

We have already protected three tracts of land: 1) 419 acres that divided 16,000 acres from 3,000 acres in the middle of Millikan’s Overlook at Fall Creek Falls State Park, one of the most beautiful vistas and most photographed sites in Tennessee; 2) 194 acres along the rugged and remote Caney Fork River at Scott’s Gulf in White County; and 3) 1,988 acres adjacent to the Bridgestone/Firestone Centennial Wilderness Area were recently acquired through a $1.5 million dollar grant from the Forest Legacy Program. We recently completed our fourth acquisition in the Corridor – 689 acres, the Campoamor tract. To date we have protected a total of 3,295 acres in the Corridor.

 The land we acquire is transferred to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency to develop and implement the management plan for public access.

Celebrations and Hikes. When people give us gifts of land or conservation easements, we have to celebrate. When we are considering new projects or preparing to accept a land gift, we have to see the property.  We invite you and other donors to see how your generous gifts are helping to protect the beauty of Tennessee. Invitations are only sent to members. Please see our Events page for current dedications and hikes.

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