Policy

Explore Our Legislative Priorities

• Secure Recurring Funding for Conservation

  To date we have secured 450,000 acres of land in Tennessee, and we aim to conserve an additional 50,000 acres by 2030.  A key component of our strategy is to play a “partner assist” role, where TNC lends expertise and financial support to priority real estate transactions. This requires access to capital, and Tennessee currently lacks a recurring grant funding source for nonprofit partners to access for land acquisitions.  

  The Tennessee Heritage Conservation Trust Fund (HCTF) was created in 2005 by Governor Bredesen to assist the State in permanently conserving and preserving tracts of land to promote tourism and recreation; protect, conserve, and restore Tennessee’s physical, cultural, archeological, historical, and environmental resources; and preserve working landscapes.  Budget appropriations put $30 million into the account between 2005 and 2009, and the fund was not funded again until Governor Lee appropriated $30 million in 2023 and $71.5 million in 2024 legislative sessions. TNC is currently exploring opportunities to secure a recurring source of revenue for the HCTF, and will pursue legislative support for this effort. 

• Urge Strong Protections for Wetlands

  Streams, rivers, lakes and wetlands are critical to the well-being of people and nature, providing valuable—and often irreplaceable—sources of drinking water and habitat for fish and wildlife. They also power local economies and thriving communities. Approximately sixty percent of wetlands in Tennessee have already been lost to ditching, draining and development. Those losses are concerning for the many benefits wetlands provide for wildlife habitat, drinking water quality, flood control, and groundwater recharge.

  HB1054 / SB0631 was introduced and heard in the 2023-2024 General Assembly Session, and TNC strongly opposed the bill.  The Senate bill was sent to a special senate summer study committee, and TNC is continuing to urge strong wetland protections and science-based definitions for geographically isolated wetlands.  (Legislative approach will be updated after the October 3rd special senate committee meeting)

• Support Biodiversity of Freshwater in the Tennessee and Cumberland River Basins

  Conserving freshwater diversity of the Tennessee and Cumberland river basins by ensuring the restoration and maintenance of ecosystem processes to improve floodplain, wetland, tributary, and mainstem river habitats is a priority. 

  We will work to ensure there is adequate state and federal funding to support activities for barrier removal, Duck River  and Cumberland River conservation, environmental flows, and sediment abatement. Additionally, we will monitor proposed regulatory approaches that support or remove obstacles to better manage these natural resources. 

• Support Resilient and Healthy Forests

  Forests cover approximately 53% of Tennessee and are under threat from urbanization, fragmentation, climate change, wildfire, loss of diversity, invasive insects and disease. TNC is working to enhance forest resiliency in Tennessee through the restoration, improved forest management, and permanent protection of private forestland. 

  • Ensure that legislative proposals incorporate science and data from the Tennessee Forest Action Plan and State Wildlife Action Plan to guide priorities for implementation and funding.  
  • Ensure the state maintains adequate funding and capacity for active forest management, including prescribed fire. 
• Provide Food and Water Through Healthy Floodplains and Sustainable Agriculture

  Floodplains and wetlands in west TN have been seriously degraded over the past 100 years, and TNC is working to restore and conserve these ecosystems to benefit water quality and wildlife habitat. Additionally, TNC is working to reduce nutrient runoff from agriculture and increase practices on farms that would support biodiversity and carbon reduction/sequestration.

  Support funding for restoration projects on the Lower Mississippi River, assess feasibility and funding opportunities for expanding Tennessee’s river basin management agency to cover additional geographies, urge state support for agricultural conservation practices. 

• Accelerate the Renewable Energy Transition & Reduce GHG Emissions

  To limit global warming to less than 1.5 degrees Celsius and reach TNC’s 2030 goals of avoiding or sequestering 3 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions globally each year, TN is focusing climate work based on the Southern Divisions three strategic pillars for climate mitigation: natural climate solutions, renewable energy transitions and greenhouse gas emissions reductions.  

  TNC will identify legislative and funding opportunities to implement recommendations from the TN climate action plan, provide tools and resources to support siting solar and renewable energy projects to minimize impacts to lands of conservation value, and provide expertise to expedite rapid deployment of renewable energy. 

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• 2025 Legislative Priorities

  Download a copy. Contact information for our Government Relations Director is included.

• Immediate and Lasting Impact for Tennessee Communities

  Tennessee residents cherish their natural heritage and are committed to safeguarding it. Land conservation helps improve water quality and supply, boosts resiliency against storms, and provides habitat for diverse species. Protecting land also has economic benefits such as support for agricultural productivity and creating more opportunities for people to get outdoors and connect with nature. Investing in land conservation today ensures a healthier, more resilient environment and quality of life for all who call our state home.

• Why The Nature Conservancy Advocates for Nature

  Our mission is to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends. 

  We see an exciting future for nature. A future filled with opportunities and possibilities. A future where nature beats the odds. Where a better tomorrow exists thanks to forests, grasslands and streams. Coral reefs and mountain ranges. Animals great and small. Our human communities. By collaborating across boundaries, borders and divides, we can manifest this reality because together, we find a way.