Project Highlights
National Wetland Condition Assessment
Every five years, Division of Natural Areas staff assist with national efforts to assess the condition of wetlands in Tennessee. Staff dedicated much of July 2026 to visiting sampling locations and carrying out a standard protocol for assessing physical alterations, vegetation, soils, hydrology, and water chemistry. More information about the project and sampling methodology is available from the United States Environmental Protection Agency's web pages for the National Wetland Condition Assessment.
Recovery of Cumberland Sandwort
This year (2026) will be the fifth and final year of post-delisting monitoring for Cumberland sandwort (Minuartia cumberlandensis). Through the conservation efforts of many agencies and organizations, Cumberland sandwort was delisted from the United States Fish & Wildlife Service's (USFWS) Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Plants in 2021 and has been monitored annually by Division of Natural Areas staff to ensure the species has recovered. More information is available from the USFWS Cumberland sandwort delisting web page.
Environmental Review Tool (ERT)
The Natural Heritage Program launched the Tennessee Environmental Review Tool (ERT) in July 2023 to improve and expedite the process of considering rare plant species for completing permit applications, fulfilling grant requirements, or undertaking other activities requiring consultation with Division of Natural Areas. Thousands of reviews have been completed through the Environmental Review Tool since move and initial consultation has gone from 15 days to under 5 minutes. The tool is designed for environmental consultants who must create an account and attend a training, but others may benefit from viewing the relevant conservation layers included in the standard map viewer. Visit the Environmetal Review Tool (ERT).
Restoring Habitat for the Red-cockaded Woodpecker
The Division's work to restore shortleaf pine (Pinus echanata) ecosystems in Savage Gulf State Natural Area and beyond will be critical to the successful reintroduction of red-cockaded woodpeckers (Picoides borealis) in Tennessee, a project in partnership with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) and the United States Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS). Division of Natural Areas staff have been identifying and expanding existing stands of shortleaf pine, manually thinning the understory of hardwood species in project locations, and conducting prescribed fire operations to maintain more open forest habitat. More information about reintroducing red-cockaded woodpeckers in Tennesseee is available through Tennessee's State Wildlife Action Plan.