Tennessee Ecological Services Field Office

08/26/2026

Some of TNFO's biologists participated in Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency 's Benthic Blitz recently!

Across 123 sites in the Caney and Collins River systems, an impressive 74 species and nearly 9,700 individual animals were documented, including several species of greatest conservation need.

It’s incredible to see conservation in action across the state, benefiting both imperiled and non‑imperiled species alike. TNFO is proud to be part of the work and partnerships that keeps Tennessee’s aquatic ecosystems thriving. 🐟🦞

08/18/2026

We love seeing conservation in action! Removing old dams—like Readyville Dam—restores habitat for native species and creates cleaner, safer, more connected rivers for people to enjoy. Healthy rivers benefit wildlife and communities alike!👏

The Readyville Dam removal is a reminder that restoring natural river systems benefits both wildlife and people.

08/11/2026

Don't fear..... a new Endangered Species of the Month is here!

During the month of August, we are highlighting the bluemask darter (Etheostoma akatulo)! The bluemask darter gets its name from the vivid blue markings that males display during breeding season. It lives only in a few clean, fast-flowing streams, making it extremely sensitive to pollution. Protecting streamside vegetation and reducing runoff help preserve the crystal-clear waters this colorful fish depends on.

📸: Mariah Letowt, USFWS

08/06/2026

Another discovery!?

Plant conservation is on a roll!

USFWS Partners Biologist Robby Cogburn recently visited a property in Grundy County with Quail Forever Biologists Kris Oja and Macon Girdley. The intent of the visit was to check out how the site was responding after a prescribed fire, with the hope of seeing the federally threatened White Fringeless Orchid, or at least suitable habitat for it.

And that they did!

But they didn't just find habitat or a few White Fringeless Orchids..... Instead they found over 2,000!!! The discovery of this new population is HUGE because this is now one of the top 5 largest White Fringeless Orchid occurrences!

Through Quail Forever’s great work, along side the landowner, a White Fringeless Orchid haven has been created!

Discovery of new federally listed species occurrences is always exciting, but it is even more exciting when there are great partners and great landowners that make such an impact on recovering these rare species!

Quail Forever Tennessee Quail Forever

📸: Robby Cogburn, USFWS

07/22/2026

We loved seeing all the love for Pyne’s ground-plum on our last post! USFWS Partners biologist Robby Cogburn recently returned to the newly discovered site and shared an update on current site conditions.

07/10/2026

In April 2025, USFWS Private Lands Biologist Robby Cogburn was visiting a landowner in Wilson County when he came across a plant that made him think someone was pulling an April Fools’ prank.

It turned out to be anything but a joke — he had discovered a new population of federally endangered Pyne’s ground-plum!

Until this find, Pyne’s ground-plum was only known to naturally occur in Rutherford County, making this new Wilson County population an exciting and significant discovery.

Thanks to a strong partnership between the landowner, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Quail Forever, and the Missouri Botanical Garden, restoration work is now underway to improve the property’s limestone glades. Seed collection efforts have also begun to help safeguard this rare and remarkable species.

A big win for conservation in Tennessee! 🌱✨

07/01/2026

July's Endangered Species of the Month is the Pyne's Ground-plum (Astragalus bibullatus)🪻

This rare wildflower grows only in a few patches of limestone glades in Middle Tennessee. With delicate plumlike fruits and tiny purple blooms, Pyne’s ground-plum is beautiful—but extremely vulnerable. Urban development and invasive plants continue to squeeze out its limited habitat. By supporting conservation of native grasslands and glades, we help preserve one of Tennessee’s botanical treasures.

📸: Abbey Brown, USFWS

06/22/2026

Big things are happening at Vervilla! 🐟💧

This Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge site — once overrun by mosquitofish after a major flood — is being restored so it can finally serve its original purpose: a release site for the Barrens topminnow.

With mosquitofish removal and habitat upgrades underway, Vervilla is on track to become a safe, high‑quality home for future topminnow reintroductions.

A huge win for native fish conservation.

📸: Abbey Brown, USFWS

06/16/2026

Fish delivery day! 🐟✨

Barrens topminnow are officially the first species moved into the new joint propagation facility at Dale Hollow NFH — a collaboration between the TNFO, Dale Hollow NFH, and Conservation Fisheries Inc..

This new facility expands propagation capacity, strengthens techniques, and creates much‑needed space for additional at‑risk species that depend on conservation partnerships like this one.

A big milestone for native fish recovery!

📸: Abbey Brown, USFWS