Tennessee Division of Natural Areas

Tennessee Division of Natural Areas Dedicated to the conservation of biodiversity in Tennessee S., and similar programs from Canada, Central and South America.

The Tennessee Division of Natural Areas, located within the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation's Bureau of Parks and Conservation, is dedicated to restoration and protection of plants, animals, and natural communities that represent the natural biological diversity of the state. The Division of Natural Areas oversees the Natural Heritage Inventory Program and the Natural Areas and Scenic Rivers Program. The Division administers the Tennessee Natural Areas Preservation Act of 1971, the Tennessee Scenic Rivers Act of 1968, the Rare Plant Protection and Conservation Act of 1985, the Ginseng Dealer Registration Act of 1983 and the Ginseng Harvest Season Act of 1985. The Division of Natural Areas, with a staff including professional biologists, botanists, zoologists,ecologists, natural resource management specialists and data managers, conducts a wide variety of programs and activities focused on the conservation, restoration and management of Tennessee's vast diversity of natural resources. These activities include providing technical assistance and educational programs for governmental agencies, non-governmental organizations, industrial and other private landowners, educational institutions, as well as managing a statewide system of State Natural Areas and Scenic Rivers. The Division of Natural Areas is a member of the Natural Heritage Network, a consortium of Natural Heritage Programs from each state in the U. The division receives technical support from, and cooperates with, Natureserve, the science and data affiliate of The Nature Conservancy. The division’s Natural Heritage programs and Natureserve together provide a scientific basis for effective conservation and serve as a trusted source for information about rare and endangered species and threatened ecosystems.

Prepare for a guided hike at one of the most plant-diverse sites next to Nashville! Next Sunday Sept 20. Hike participan...
09/11/2026

Prepare for a guided hike at one of the most plant-diverse sites next to Nashville! Next Sunday Sept 20.
Hike participants will enjoy a late summer hike at Couchville Cedar Glade State Natural Area exploring limestone cedar glades, barrens and forests. Highlights of the hike will include late summer and early fall wildflowers. Couchville Cedar Glade is a 140-acre natural area in Davidson and Wilson Counties and is contiguous with the east boundary of Long Hunter State Park. Couchville provides one of the finest examples of a glade-barrens complex and protects many rare plant species. There are also small woodland patches surrounding the glade-barrens complex including a karst area supporting a mature oak-hickory forest. This area resembles a natural forested rock garden. A hiking trail will be used for most, but not all, of the hike so participants should wear sturdy boots. Attendees should also bring a snack, water and bug spray. The trip will be canceled if there is heavy rain or severe weather predicted.
Register here:
https://tnstateparks.com/events/couchville-cedar-glade-state-natural-areas-hike

09/11/2026

In Defense of Plants' Matt Candeias talks with Natural Areas Program Manager for the Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation Sam King about how a chance logging mistake is teaching them how to manage white fringless orchid habitat for the better and has even unlocked new inroads into

Episode 594 - Of Orchids & Woodpeckers. BY IN DEFESNE OF PLANTS.Is out!!! Check it outIs a very interesting orchid resto...
09/09/2026

Episode 594 - Of Orchids & Woodpeckers.
BY IN DEFESNE OF PLANTS.
Is out!!! Check it out
Is a very interesting orchid restoration and woodpecker reintroduction story in the Cumberland Plateau, Tennessee.

In Defense of Plants is brought to you by ecologist and botany-enthusiast, Matt Candeias, and aims to inspire people to care about plants as organisms.

Enjoy a stroll in Pinson Mounds State Archaeological Park while learning about the area’s rich natural and cultural hist...
09/04/2026

Enjoy a stroll in Pinson Mounds State Archaeological Park while learning about the area’s rich natural and cultural history. We will pass the nation’s largest group of Native American mounds of the Middle Woodland period, view one of the only known occurrences of the endangered whorled sunflower (Helianthus verticillatus), and end overlooking the forested floodplain wetlands of the South Fork Forked Deer River. We will begin this walk at the entrance to the park’s Interpretive Center and will end at the Nature Trail via sections of the Inner Mounds Loop and the Passion Flower Trail. The guided portion of the walk will be approximately 1 mile (i.e., 2 miles round trip back to the Interpretive Center), but participants will be free to stay and continue exploring the park on their own once the guided walk ends. This walk involves a combination of paved pathways, unpaved trails, and boardwalk, and is considered low difficulty. Please wear sturdy footwear and sun protection, dress appropriately based on the local weather forecast, and bring water, snacks, and insect repellent if desired. Restrooms are located at the Interpretive Center.

Register here:

https://tnstateparks.com/events/wildflowers-and-wetlands-pinson-mounds

We got a cool hike coming up soon 'Wildflowers and Wetlands at Pinson Mounds' register now at!https://tnstateparks.com/e...
09/04/2026

We got a cool hike coming up soon 'Wildflowers and Wetlands at Pinson Mounds' register now at!
https://tnstateparks.com/events/wildflowers-and-wetlands-pinson-mounds
Enjoy a stroll in Pinson Mounds State Archaeological Park while learning about the area’s rich natural and cultural history. We will pass the nation’s largest group of Native American mounds of the Middle Woodland period, view one of the only known occurrences of the endangered whorled sunflower (Helianthus verticillatus), and end overlooking the forested floodplain wetlands of the South Fork Forked Deer River. We will begin this walk at the entrance to the park’s Interpretive Center and will end at the Nature Trail via sections of the Inner Mounds Loop and the Passion Flower Trail. The guided portion of the walk will be approximately 1 mile (i.e., 2 miles round trip back to the Interpretive Center), but participants will be free to stay and continue exploring the park on their own once the guided walk ends. This walk involves a combination of paved pathways, unpaved trails, and boardwalk, and is considered low difficulty. Please wear sturdy footwear and sun protection, dress appropriately based on the local weather forecast, and bring water, snacks, and insect repellent if desired. Restrooms are located at the Interpretive Center.

08/28/2026
08/10/2026
We’re out here managing the invasive Lespedeza at John & Hester Lane Cedar Glade State Natural Area. We use a blue foam ...
08/07/2026

We’re out here managing the invasive Lespedeza at John & Hester Lane Cedar Glade State Natural Area. We use a blue foam herbicide that we carefully apply to target Lespedeza. Removing this invasive species improves the habitat quality for the federally endangered Dalea foliosa (purple inflorescence). Its habitat, known as the cedar glade, is dry and very hot on summer days. Open and exposed to the sun, with shallow soils — very rare species have adapted to survive here. Enjoy the hard worker bumble bees diving into native Morning Glories.

Address

500 James Robertson Parkway, 8th Floor
Nashville, TN
37243

Telephone

+16155320431

Website

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