TENNESSEE PARKS AND GREENWAYS FOUNDATION

What TENNESSEE PARKS AND GREENWAYS FOUNDATION does

Tennessee Parks and Greenways Foundation, operating as TennGreen Land Conservancy, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit land conservancy founded in 1998 and headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee. The organization permanently protects land across Tennessee through three core service lines: conservation easements (voluntary legal agreements restricting development while preserving private ownership), land acquisitions (purchases that are typically transferred to state agencies for permanent management as parks or wildlife management areas), and habitat restoration (prescribed burns, shortleaf pine plantings, hemlock treatments, and invasive species control). TennGreen's underlying methodology is its Strategic Land Conservation Plan, a data-driven prioritization framework that identifies vulnerable landscapes using urbanization rates, rare species habitat, and focal area mapping across aquatic, climate corridor, public benefit, and urban categories. The organization is accredited by the Land Trust Alliance and has conserved 56,392 acres, protected more than 225 miles of streams and rivers, created or expanded 67 public spaces, and protected habitat for 83 rare species since inception.

TennGreen serves three primary customer segments: private landowners who use conservation easements for legacy and tax planning, government agencies (TDEC, TWRA, NPS, USFS, USFWS) that partner on land acquisitions and transfers, and the general public through donations, memberships, and events. Revenue is generated exclusively through charitable mechanisms including individual donations, annual memberships, planned/legacy gifts, corporate sponsorships, and grants from foundations and government programs such as the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation, Open Space Institute, and Forest Legacy. The organization operates statewide and uses a community-led go-to-market motion centered on direct landowner consultation, partnership-based acquisitions, and community engagement vehicles such as the annual Hike-a-Thon, which in 2026 raised $306,946 from 1,398 participants.

Recent strategic milestones include the May 2025 designation of Scott's Gulf Wilderness as Tennessee's 60th state park and the May 2026 dedication of Cardwell Mountain as Tennessee's third state archaeological park, both built on land TennGreen helped protect. The 2025 rebranding from Tennessee Parks & Greenways Foundation to TennGreen Land Conservancy consolidates the organization's identity around its statewide land conservation mission.

Name

TENNESSEE PARKS AND GREENWAYS FOUNDATION

Legal name

TennGreen Land Conservancy

Website

https://tenngreen.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Land Conservation Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219), Historical Sites (712120)

akta.pro primary industry

Land Trusts & Protected Areas (BPAGAGAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Conservation Easements & Land Trust Services (AFAMAMAH)

Keywords

• Land conservation services
• Conservation easements
• Habitat restoration
• Land acquisitions
• Watershed protection

Headquarters

HQ city

Nashville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: Individual donors contribute through various giving programs including one-time donations, monthly giving, and major gifts. The Hike-a-Thon event raised $306,946 in 2026 from participants and sponsors.
2. Membership Program: Annual membership dues providing ongoing support and engagement with the organization.
3. Legacy Gifts: Planned giving and estate donations allowing supporters to include TennGreen in their estate planning.
4. Corporate Support: Sponsorship opportunities for businesses, particularly for the Hike-a-Thon event with various sponsorship tiers.
5. Grant Funding: Funding from foundations and government programs for specific conservation projects, such as National Fish & Wildlife Foundation grants and Open Space Institute funding.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

TennGreen Land Conservancy (formerly Tennessee Parks & Greenways Foundation) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit land conservancy that protects Tennessee's natural and cultural resources through voluntary conservation easements held in perpetuity, land acquisitions (often transferred to state agencies for permanent management), and ecological habitat restoration. The organization also engages the community through an annual Hike-a-Thon fundraising event.

Product overview

TennGreen Land Conservancy (formerly Tennessee Parks & Greenways Foundation) operates as a single unified conservation organization offering land protection services rather than a technology product portfolio. The organization provides three core services: Conservation Easements (voluntary legal agreements protecting land in perpetuity), Land Acquisitions (purchasing land for permanent protection, often transferred to state management), and Habitat Restoration (ecological restoration including prescribed burns, pine plantings, and invasive species control). The organization also runs an annual Hike-a-Thon fundraising event. These services work together to fulfill the mission of conserving Tennessee's land, water, and wildlife habitat across the state.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Conservation Easements Voluntary legal agreements that permanently protect land from development by placing restrictions on the property while keeping it in private ownership. TennGreen holds these easements in perpetuity and monitors properties annually. Intended for private landowners seeking permanent protection of family or working lands.

Quantifiable outcome

• 56,392 acres of land permanently conserved since 1998
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• The Conservation FundcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor conservation partner on numerous land acquisition projects including Cardwell Mountain, Savage Gulf Expansion, Blackburn Fork WMA, Fiery Gizzard Trail, Lone Star, and others. The Conservation Fund assists with purchasing properties for transfer to state management.
• The Nature Conservancy in TennesseecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partner on conservation projects including Cardwell Mountain acquisition and Custard Hollow conservation easement. Provides scientific guidance for Strategic Land Conservation Plan.
• Tennessee Department of Environment and ConservationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary government partner for state park acquisitions and land transfers. TDEC receives properties from TennGreen for permanent management as state parks and natural areas.
• Tennessee Wildlife Resources AgencycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for wildlife management area acquisitions and expansions. TWRA receives land from TennGreen for inclusion in WMAs for public recreation and habitat protection.
• National Park ServicemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area expansions. TennGreen transferred North White Oak Creek property to NPS in 2021.
• The Trust for Public LandmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on Lockeland Springs Park acquisition in Nashville, assisting with fundraising and land acquisition to convey to Metro Nashville Parks.
• Friends of Indian Lake PeninsulamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal partner on Heritage Park acquisition in Hendersonville. Led community fundraising effort raising $1 million in 4 months with over 850 households contributing.
• City of HendersonvillemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on Heritage Park acquisition, purchasing 35 acres of historic Batey Farm for public park use.
• Panther Creek ForestryminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerContracted for restoration work including prescribed burns, shortleaf pine plantings, and hemlock treatments at Soak Creek Farm and Coal Creek Farm.
• Tennessee Division of ForestrymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on restoration projects including prescribed burns and forest management at Soak Creek Farm.
• Cumberland Trails ConferencemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on Cumberland Trail expansion projects including Hinch Mountain acquisition, supporting trail development on state park lands.
• Southeastern Grasslands InitiativemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on grassland habitat restoration at Soak Creek Farm, addressing critical loss of grassland ecosystems in the Southeast.
• Austin Peay State UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner for Soak Creek Farm restoration project, contributing scientific expertise to habitat enhancement efforts.
• Circling Cranes Community Land TrustmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on 81-acre conservation easement enabling CCCLT to pursue passive communal living with ethical farming and forestry practices.
• Harmony Wildlife Rehabilitation CentermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on conservation easement protecting Harmony's West Nashville property, enabling continued wildlife rehabilitation work.
• Mountain Goat Trail AlliancemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on Hawkins Cove amended easement, acquiring land for Mountain Goat Trail corridor while maintaining conservation protection.
• Lockeland Springs Neighborhood AssociationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner on Lockeland Springs Park expansion, raising funds and advocating for protection of the natural area.
• Friends of South Cumberland State ParksmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunding partner for Savage Gulf State Park expansion, supporting the conservation of 670 acres.
• Tennessee Chapter of the Sierra ClubmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on Skinner Mountain WMA expansion, contributing settlement funds designated for land protection in the region.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Trust for Public Land: National land conservation nonprofit that partnered with TennGreen on the Lockeland Springs Park acquisition. Focuses on creating public parks and protecting natural areas, with highly overlapping mission, geography, and funding sources.
• Open Space Institute: Major funder and conservation acquirer active across the Appalachian region. Operates the same acquisition-and-conveyance model through programs like the Southern Cumberland Land Protection Fund that funds TennGreen projects.
• The Conservation Fund: National nonprofit that partners with TennGreen on major land acquisitions including Cardwell Mountain, Savage Gulf Expansion, and Fiery Gizzard Trail. Uses the same acquisition-and-transfer model and competes for the same federal and foundation capital.
• The Nature Conservancy in Tennessee: State chapter of the largest global conservation organization and a direct TennGreen partner on projects like Cardwell Mountain. Operates the same conservation easement and acquisition model, making it the closest comparable peer in Tennessee.

Broad incumbents

• Land Trust Alliance: National membership organization that accredits land trusts including TennGreen. While not a direct conservation operator, it shapes standards and funding flows that govern TennGreen's operating model.

Regional players

• Sierra Club (Tennessee Chapter): Regional chapter of the national environmental organization; TennGreen partners with the TN Chapter on Skinner Mountain WMA expansion. Competes for overlapping environmental donor dollars within the same geography.
• Cumberland Trails Conference: Tennessee-based trail and conservation organization that partners with TennGreen on Cumberland Trail expansion including the Hinch Mountain acquisition. Operates in overlapping geography with shared state-park adjacency and easement mechanics.
• Appalachian Mountain Conservancy: Regional conservation organization with overlapping Appalachian conservation work and shared funder universe. Comparable in mission and grant-funded operating model, though focused further north.

Others

• Doris Duke Charitable Foundation: Major foundation funder of TennGreen through Open Space Institute grants. Not a peer operator but a critical capital source whose priorities shape TennGreen's project pipeline.

Emerging players

• Southeastern Grasslands Initiative: Regional grassland conservation initiative partnering with TennGreen on Soak Creek Farm restoration. Focuses on a narrower ecological niche (grassland ecosystems) but operates with similar conservation easement and restoration mechanics.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/tenngreenlc
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@tenngreenlc
• Facebookfacebook.com/tenngreenlc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tenngreenlc
• Instagraminstagram.com/tenngreenlc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about TENNESSEE PARKS AND GREENWAYS FOUNDATION