Current Projects

Current Projects

MOUND BOTTOM COMPLEX

Summary: Scenic Harpeth River bluffs, prehistoric burial grounds, and the gateway to a dramatic 1,000 year old temple mound are all at risk. We need your help to preserve this spectacular and mysterious place. The Mound Bottom Archaeological Site, containing 12 mounds, is one of ten significant sites that make up the Harpeth River State Park. Mound Bottom is a prehistoric civic/ceremonial center where native people lived in the Mississippian era from around ca. 900 to 1600 A.D. These people chose this land because of its natural barriers, scenic beauty and proximity to water, wildlife, and fertile bottomland for growing maize. According to the National Park Service, the Harpeth River, on which this property has two long sections of frontage, is outstandingly remarkable for its scenic vistas, recreation, geology, fish, wildlife, and historical and cultural values. Much more can be learned about these ancient people, but we may never solve the mystery of why they suddenly left their towns and began to disappear and disperse if we are not able to protect this land. It is the top priority for acquisition to the Harpeth River State Park. Tennessee Parks and Greenways Foundation needs your help to protect this property….forever.

Location: The property is located due west of Nashville in Cheatham County between one of the horseshoe bends of the Harpeth River. The Lampley property lies adjacent to over 100 acres at Mound Bottom and within less than one mile of over 19,000 protected acres at Narrows of the Harpeth and Cheatham Wildlife Management Area. The specific location lies one mile north of Highway 70 off of Cedar Hill Road and is approximately 25-minutes from downtown Nashville.

Setting: The topography is a mix of rolling pastureland in the west and changes to steep wooded ridges moving east that form the actual gateway looking down onto the mound. As one steps out of this “narrow” from the woods, the view is of a beautiful green valley surrounded by impressive limestone bluffs, including Paint Rock adorned with petroglyphs, and a truly spectacular view of the temple mounds. There are 3 spring fed ponds, 2 residential structures and a shed located in the southwest corner of the property near the entrance. It is approximately 35% timberland and 65% pasture. It is THE ONLY LAND ACCESS and is adjacent to the 101-acre Mound Bottom Site that is already protected.

Case for Conservation:

To preserve the prehistoric burial grounds and artifacts: The Taylor family, who owned the land from 1919 to 1957, did allow for an excavation by the Smithsonian Institute and a few state archaeologists, but in 1940 they decided to go back to a strict adherence of no disturbance. Stone grave boxes, gold hair and body ornaments, ceramic vessels infused with crushed river mussel shells are but a few examples of some of the artifacts now housed at the McClung Museum at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. But there is still much to be learned and threat of development could forever remove this opportunity.

To preserve the natural beauty and wildlife habitats: Undisturbed for decades, this land provides food and shelter to a variety of wildlife, native plants and some mature timber. The spring fed ponds serve as a precious resource. The topographical quadrangle (Lillamay) and watershed where this property lies contain habitat for 29 rare plants and 16 rare animals. As a stand-alone property, its panoramic views and limestone bluffs make it an exceptional park.

To forever preserve and secure the “gateway” to this spectacular Temple Mound: This largest and most visible mound, which stands stately at 47 x 47 x 25 feet high, is called a platform mound, and overlooks 11 smaller mounds that form a circle facing what use to be a center of trade and social life. The chief, or shaman, reigned from atop this mound, where he lived with his family and directed important rites and ceremonies. The “narrow” provides a beautiful panoramic view of the plaza, and the natural fortifications of the river bend and limestone bluffs. An earthen palisade once existed here, and guards were assigned for protection.

To preserve the integrity of this important archaeological site that contains a fascinating piece of Tennessee history, both know and unknown: This is important in that it will assist in the protection and conservation of a very interesting prehistoric culture that will be there for study and education for generations of Tennesseans to come.

For more information: Contact Dianne Naff, Land Acquisitions Manager, 615-386-3171; Kathleen Williams, President and Executive Director, 615-386-3171; or Dr. Charles T. Womack, Chairman of the Board, 931-528-5547.

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

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OLD RANDOLPH TOWN

Summary: The Starr Family Trust property is the Old Randolph Town. 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. It is the only location where the Chickasaw Bluff has riverfront access on the Mississippi River, outside of Memphis’ Riverside Drive. The 18.9 acre property has two (2) 4-bedroom dwellings, so far. 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 Graydon Swisher, Regional Land Conservation Director - West TN Office, Tennessee Parks and Greenways Foundation at 901-737-3114; Kathleen Williams, President and Executive Director, 615-386-3171; Dr. Charles T. Womack, Chairman of the Board, 931-528-5547; or John Sheahan, West Tennessee Vice President, 901-854-4466.

To make a donation, please click below.

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THE CAMPOAMOR TRACT

As part of our strategies to preserve Tennessee’s natural treasures, we work to identify and protect the most beautiful, ecologically-rich, and historically-significant places. Scott’s Gulf is one of those places.

Each year thousands of people come to the Cumberland Plateau and surrounding mountains to hike, hunt, fish, and play in its forests and rivers, and to stand in awe at the astonishing natural beauty. This are is rich in biodiversity on a global scale with its diversity of plants, animals, and aquatic creatures. It is among the most biologically significant places on the plant. The region is so important that in 2004, the Natural Resources Defense Council name it one of twelve BioGems – the most outstanding and endangered wildernesses – in the western hemisphere. There are more species of fish, mussel, snails, and salamanders in the greater Cumberland Plateau BioGem that are found nowhere else in the world. The Plateau is also a primary nesting ground for migratory birds. Each spring, millions of birds stop here to rest on their way from the Caribbean to Canada. However, if current development trends continue, the Plateau’s stunning waterfalls, valleys, and vistas will be lost forever.

Our goal is to create a 60,000-acre protected wilderness area connecting the Bridgestone/Firestone Centennial Wilderness Area to Fall Creek Falls State Park, Tennessee’s most visited State Park. This protected corridor between 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. The land we acquire will be transferred to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency to develop and implement the management plan for public access. To date, we have protected three tracts (2,601 acres) in the corridor. The Campoamor Tract is our fourth.

Location: Southeastern White County, approximately 19 miles from Sparta. The property is surrounded by the Bridgestone/Firestone Centennial Wilderness area like a peninsula and is adjacent to Virgin Falls State Natural Area.

Property Description: The land lies within the designated boundaries of the Forest Legacy Program Scott’s Gulf Area. This 689.18-acre tract is important to protecting the scenic gateway to Scott’s Gulf. Acquisition of the Campoamor tract is critical to protecting the scenic beauty of Scott’s Gulf. Like a large peninsula, the bluff protrudes into the middle of the gorge. Half of the 689 acres is bluff line, with approximately 3 miles of bluff. This area has become increasingly popular for residential development because of its natural beauty and outdoor recreation activities. It is rapidly being developed for vacation homes and resorts.

A tributary of the Caney Fork runs through the property. The highly dissected terrain is typical of the western edge of the Cumberland Plateau with steep bluffs and ridges, deep hollows and caves. There is a lot of sandstone and limestone throughout the tract. The land is covered with second growth mixed mesophytic forest, possibly with some mature stands at the heads of the hollows.

The Case for Conservation:

To prevent conversions of forestlands to other uses. Land in this area has become increasingly popular for residential development. This tract is particularly attractive because of its natural beauty and its proximity to popular areas for outdoor recreation including hunting and fishing.

To preserve and protect fish and wildlife habitats, rare plants and animals, and biological diversity. Species that will benefit from securing this section of the Caney Fork River watershed include: popular game fish (bass, crappie, and sunfish); threatened non-game aquatic species (the jewel darter and the hellbender); and a number of threatened cave species, including the Indiana bat, which is a federally listed endangered species.

The greatest concentration of at-risk freshwater species in the world is in the Southeast United States with Tennessee holding the highest number of freshwater species at risk. The Caney Fork contains 13 Fish and Mussel Species at risk and five with Endangered Species Act Status (Source: The Nature Conservancy, 1998). Protecting this land will improve water quality, and provide critical habitat protection to benefit these at-risk species.

To preserve and protect riparian habitats and To preserve and protect water quality, fisheries, and water supplies. Active management would reduce the current heavy impact of all terrain vehicles with the attendant erosion, river siltation, and habitat degradation. The lower Caney Fork is very popular for recreational fishing. According to the Director of the Department of Water Pollution Control at TDEC, the primary threat to water quality in the Caney Fork River drainage basin is siltation and run-off due to the loss of riparian vegetation. The Tennessee Rivers Assessment ranks the Caney Fork River as “statewide significant or greater” for Scenic Quality and Recreational Boating, and also ranks the Caney Fork with the highest ranking as an “excellent fishery” and “fully supports designated uses assigned to it by the Water Quality Board.”

To preserve and protect natural beauty. The gorges of the upper Caney Fork River were rated Number 1 for scenic quality (of statewide or greater significance) in the Tennessee Rivers Assessment, Summary Report in 1998.

To preserve and protect forest-based recreation opportunities. Recreational uses of the nearby Bridgestone/Firestone Centennial Wilderness area include hiking, hunting, primitive camping, bird watching, and nature photography - all of which are suitable recreational uses for this land. The Caney Fork River is popular for fishing, canoeing and kayaking.

To preserve forestlands for current and future timber production and regeneration. This land has been actively timbered by the selective harvesting of hardwoods. There are no deed restrictions or management policies that would restrict future timber production.

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

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DEVILSTEP HOLLOW CAVE AND HEAD OF SEQUATCHIE SPRING

The Devilstep Hollow tract (394-acres) officially transferred to the State of Tennessee in April, 2008. Thank you to the State and all our donors who made this project possible! The site is currently closed to the public while archaeological and other site assessments are conducted. (For more information, please see the Accomplishments page.)

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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) 1,998 acres adjacent to the Bridgestone/Firestone Centennial Wilderness Area were recently acquired through a $1.5 million dollar grant from the Forest Legacy Program. To date we have protected a total of 2,611 acres in the Corridor. We are currently working to acquire our fourth tract in the Corridor – 689 acres.

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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