Cumberland Plateau & Central Basin Nature Nonprofits

Middle Tennessee is a country of limestone, a broad basin ringed by the highland rim and edged to the east by the Cumberland Plateau, whose sandstone cliffs and deep gorges shelter forests of remarkable richness. Water moves here as much underground as above it, through caves and springs and sinkholes, and the rivers that emerge run clear over stone and hold one of the greatest concentrations of freshwater mussels and fish in the world.

The organizations here protect the gorges and forests of the plateau, defend the caves and the aquifers beneath, and work to keep the rivers clean enough for the extraordinary aquatic life that depends on them. Much of what they safeguard lives out of sight, beneath the water and the ground.

Environmental Organizations in This Bioregion

25 organizations working across this landscape.

Blood Origins Inc.

Collierville, TN

Ensuring survival of wildlife and their habitat through sustainable utilization

Land ConservationWildlife Biodiversity

Bonnaroo Works Fund

Nashville, TN

Somewhere near the top of the Bonnaroo to-do list is “change the world.” So, in 2009, the Bonnaroo Works Fund was created as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization for...

Climate Energy

Brentwood Mountain Bike Team

Brentwood
Land ConservationEducation Advocacy

Centennial Park Conservancy

Nashville, TN

Centennial Park Conservancy's mission is to preserve, enhance and share the Parthenon and Centennial Park so that all future generations may benefit from these enric...

Education AdvocacyOutdoor Recreation Access

Cumberland River Compact

Nashville, TN
Water Rivers

Friends of Shelby Park and Bottoms

Nashville, TN

To preserve, enhance, and promote Shelby Park and Bottoms for everyone to appreciate and protect

Education AdvocacyOutdoor Recreation Access

Harpeth Conservancy

Brentwood, TN
Water Rivers

Harvest107

Nashville, TN

1 in 9 people suffer from hunger. We’re working to change that, one garden at a time.

Climate EnergySustainable Food Agriculture

One More Day on the Appalachian Trail

Nashville, TN

One More Day on the Appalachian Trail

Land ConservationEducation Advocacy

Racing for Sustainability

Chattanooga, TN

We envision a world where sustainability is as integral to a race as the start and finish lines.

Education AdvocacyWaste Circular Economy

Rock The Ocean Foundation

TN, TN

Our mission is to increase public awareness about the issues impacting the world’s oceans and to support scientific research, education and ocean conservation initia...

Marine OceansEnvironmental Justice

Sequatchie Valley Institute

Whitwell, TN
Climate Energy

Soles4Souls

Old Hickory, TN

At Soles4Souls, we turn unwanted shoes and clothing into opportunity, by keeping them from going to waste and putting them to good use – providing relief, creating j...

Climate EnergyWaste Circular Economy

SORBAmidTN

Smyrna, TN

Serving Middle TN Mountain Bikers and Land Managers: SORBAmidTN provides Trail Advocacy Resources such as Volunteer and Crew Leader Training, National Mountain

Outdoor Recreation Access

Southern Off Road Bicycle Association Chattanooga TN Chapter

Chattanooga, TN

SORBA Chattanooga advocates for and stewards mountain biking trails around Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Land ConservationOutdoor Recreation Access

Tennessee Environmental Council

Nashville

Tennessee Environmental Council (TEC) is a non profit organization focusing on environmental education and action.

Land ConservationWildlife Biodiversity

Tennessee River Gorge Trust

Chattanooga, TN

Our mission is to preserve the Tennessee River Gorge as a healthy and productive resource through land protection, education, community engagement, and good land st...

Land Conservation

Tennessee State Parks Conservancy

Nashville, TN

Tennessee State Parks Conservancy supports education, health and access programs that preserve, protect and enhance Tennessee’s natural areas and parks system.

Land ConservationWildlife Biodiversity

TennGreen Land Conservancy

Nashville, TN

TennGreen Land Conservancy protects land where people and nature can thrive.

Land ConservationWater Rivers

The Farmers Land Trust

Cookeville, TN

The Farmers Land Trust works nationally to transact farmland (real estate, fundraising, legal) into community ownership through the Farmland Commons.

Land ConservationWater Rivers

The Land Trust for Tennessee

Nashville, TN

To conserve the unique character of Tennessee’s natural and historic landscapes and sites for future generations.

Land ConservationWater Rivers

The Southeastern Climbers Coalition (SCC)

Chattanooga, TN

The Southeastern Climbers Coalition is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to preserving climbing areas in the southeast for future generations. SCC mem...

Land Conservation

The Wildlife Society

Nashville, TN

The Wildlife Society's mission is to empower wildlife professionals to advance conservation through science, community, and professional excellence.

Wildlife BiodiversityEducation Advocacy

Urban Green Lab

Nashville, TN

Urban Green Lab is a Nashville-based 501(c)3 nonprofit that teaches communities how to live sustainably.

Education AdvocacyOther

Wild Trails

Chattanooga, TN

Wild Trails is a 1% for the Planet nature nonprofit partner associated with climate adaptation. Based in Chattanooga, TN, United States of America, it is included in...

Climate Energy