Bredesen Announces Cumberland Trail Acquisition
Critical Partnerships Made 3,200 Acre Acquisition Possible
Jan. 12, 2010

NASHVILLE - Governor Phil Bredesen and Department of Environment and Conservation Commissioner Jim Fyke announced today the closing of a land acquisition that will add more than 3,200 acres and 10 linear miles of trail to the Cumberland Trail State Park in Hamilton and Rhea counties.

The acquisition was funded through a variety of sources, including a grant from the Heritage Conservation Trust Fund, federal grants and private funds raised by the Cumberland Trail Conference.  It includes a significant conservation easement put in place by the Land Trust for Tennessee.

"This acquisition speaks to the power of leveraging resources and cultivating partnerships to accomplish more than we could do alone," said Bredesen.  "I'm pleased that a variety of agencies and organizations were able to come together to accomplish an acquisition that will benefit Tennesseans for generations to come."

The property on Graysville Mountain is part of Tennessee's Cumberland Trail State Park.  It will allow the Cumberland Trail State Scenic Trail to expand between Dayton, in Rhea County, and Sale Creek in Hamilton County.  The area provides opportunities for fishing, day hiking, whitewater paddling, swimming, rock climbing and trail running.

"Not only will the Graysville Mountain acquisition protect priority land and natural resources, it also represents an important piece of the Cumberland Trail," said Fyke.  "Under Governor Bredesen's leadership, we have made considerable progress on the trail, increasing the acreage managed by the Cumberland Trail State Park from 1,200 acres to 23,000 acres since 2003."

The project is funded with more than $3.5 million in federal grants and a $1 million grant from the state's Heritage Conservation Trust Fund from Fiscal Year 2007-2008.  The Cumberland Trail Conference will contribute up to $300,000 in private funds for administrative costs. The Land Trust for Tennessee assisted in negotiating the transaction with the seller, Richard Kinzalow, and will hold a permanent conservation easement on the 2,197 acres located in Rhea County.  The project marks the Land Trust's first in Rhea County and places a total of more than 5,000 acres under easement managed by the Land Trust in Southeast Tennessee.

"The Land Trust for Tennessee is thrilled to be a partner on this wonderful conservation project that will forever protect the incredible biodiversity of the unique, irreplaceable cove ecosystem along Walden Ridge," said Executive Director Jeanie Nelson.  "We appreciate the opportunity to partner with the state of Tennessee and Mr. Kinzalow on this landmark acquisition, and the permanent contribution to the future generations of Tennesseans that it signifies."

The Cumberland Trail Conference, a non-profit organization that assists the state in a variety of efforts related to the continuing development of the Cumberland Trail, raised money to assist with this acquisition during its, Pathways for People, People for Nature capital campaign.

"We appreciate all the donors, volunteers and CTC staff that contributed and worked to execute a very successful fundraiser," said Tony Hook, Manager of the Cumberland Trail Conference.  "It is because of their efforts that the CTC was able to assist with this land purchase to expand the reach of the Cumberland Trail."

About the Cumberland Trail State Park and Scenic Trail
Upon completion, the Cumberland Trail, the state's only linear park, will be 300 miles, cutting through 11 Tennessee counties from the Cumberland Gap National Historic Park on the Tennessee-Virginia-Kentucky border to the Signal Point near Chattanooga.  More than one hundred and fifty miles of the Cumberland Trail is currently open and ready for exploration.  For more information on the Cumberland Trail State Park and Scenic Trail, visit www.tnstateparks.com.

About the Cumberland Trail Conference
The Cumberland Trail Conference is an affiliate organization of the non-profit Tennessee Trails Association.  The CTC is dedicated to the establishment and development of the Cumberland Trail.  Since 1997, the Conference has assisted with land acquisitions, volunteer organization, trail construction and trail maintenance.  Working with park staff, the CTC has constructed and maintained more than 100 miles of the Cumberland Trail to date.

 About the Land Trust for Tennessee
The Land Trust for Tennessee is a private, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization, founded in 1999.  Its mission is to preserve the unique character of Tennessee's natural and historic landscapes for future generations.  To date, the Land Trust for Tennessee has protected more than 50,000 acres of land and is working with numerous other landowners across the state.  The Land Trust works with willing landowners to find ways to preserve forever the historic, scenic and natural values of their land.  The organization is supported primarily by financial contributions from individuals.  The Land Trust has offices in Nashville, Sewanee and Chattanooga.  More information is available at www.landtrustn.org.

The Cumberland Trail Conference announces the award of a $25,000 grant from the Anne Potter Wilson Foundation. This very generous grant will be used to further the CTC's mission of the establishment and development of the Cumberland Trail and its associated corridor.  Once completed, the 300-mile Cumberland Trail will be an asset for local Tennessee communities and will be a star in the Tennessee state park system.  With the valuable support from the Anne Potter Wilson Foundation, the CTC will continue to strive forward, complete the project, and create a lasting legacy that will allow people to enjoy the unique Cumberland Plateau for generations

See the article Over $13,000 Raised for Trails at 9th Rock/Creek StumpJump 50k.

Her mother is commemorated by her children, Arleen, Estelle, Marylou, Rick, Gary, and Randy.  The bridge is near the Newby Branch trailhead on the Piney River segment of the Cumberland Trail.  Arleen, a longtime TTA member and CTC supporter, managed CTC's first Capital Campaign to purchase the Gorgeous Gorges in Hamilton County and the subsequent Phase II Capital Campaign.  In addition to her work to make both Capital Campaigns a huge success, Arleen made a generous memorial contribution, and has dedicated the Newby Branch bridge in honor of her mother.

Frank Jamison, whose support and generous contribution in the Phase II Capital Campaign merits a large bridge memorial dedication, has dedicated the Piney River bridge on the Cumberland Trail in honor of his father King W. Jamison, Sr.  Frank and his brother King Jamison, Jr. are pictured at the dedication of the bridge to their father who was an "Outdoorsman and Conservationist who 'Loved being on the trail'. "

A plaque was dedicated on the Turkey Creek bridge on the Obed section of the Cumberland Trail honoring Janet Roe Parvin and Bret Edward Parvin. Tad and Diane Parvin are longtime active Plateau TTA members and CTC supporters and made a very generous memorial contribution to the CTC as part of the 2000 Capital Campaign to purchase the Gorgeous Gorges in Hamilton County. Tad and Diane, pictured, are from the Crossville area.

You too can make a memorial contribution to the CTC and have a permanent commemorative plaque placed in honor of someone special.

This donation was made possible by MTNG's Project Hometown Help, a community enhancement program.  Customers may elect to round their monthly bill up to the next whole dollar, and all funds collected are distributed back to the community from which it was collected to benefit local charitable causes.

The CTC's Break-Away program brings college and university students from across the United States to Tennessee during their spring break to help construct the Cumberland Trail, a state scenic trail.  The funds from the Project Hometown Help will offset the cost of food and lodging for the student volunteers that attend, assist with trail construction materials, staffing, and transportation cost.  This program enables the CTC to educate the volunteers about the Cumberland Trail project, trail construction techniques, the environment, and the conservation effort to help preserve the Cumberland Plateau.  The 2010 Break-Away program will take place in the North Chickamauga Gorge located in Hamilton County, Tennessee.

Because of the donation from the Middle Tennessee Natural Gas Company, the Cumberland Trail project will move another step closer to completion.

See the article Over $13,000 Raised for Trails at 9th Rock/Creek StumpJump 50k.

The Cumberland Trail Conference (CTC) would like to acknowledge Brown-Forman, a producer and marketer of fine quality beverage alcohol brands, including many of the most well-known and best loved brand names in the world, for a grant in the amount of $1000 to support CTC’s 13th annual spring Break-Away program. “Again, we’re very pleased to be able to support Cumberland Trail Conference and proud to be associated with an organization that makes a significant contribution to making our communities a better place to live, work and raise our families.” , states Mr. Rusty Cheuvront, Director of Community Relations of Brown-Forman. These funds will offset the cost of food and lodging for the students that attend.  This program enables the CTC to educate our youth about the Cumberland Trail, the environment, and conservation and to construct and maintain the Cumberland Trail.

Once completed, the Cumberland Trail will stretch from Signal Point near Chattanooga, Tennessee north to the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park.  This state scenic trail provides numerous recreational opportunities and for the preservation of the historical, cultural, and natural resources on the Cumberland Plateau. This trail will create one of the last remaining unbroken greenway corridors in the state, creating a lasting legacy, to be shared and enjoyed by all those who value the great outdoors.  Brown-Forman has been a long time supporter of the Cumberland Trail Conference.  With their continued support, the Cumberland Trail project will continue to move forward.

This generous grant will help fund a volunteer bridge construction program on the Cumberland Trail, a state scenic trail.  Once completed, the Cumberland Trail will stretch from Signal Point near Chattanooga, Tennessee north to the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park.  This state scenic trail provides numerous recreational opportunities and for the preservation of the historical, cultural, and natural resources on the Cumberland Plateau.  This trail will create one of the last remaining unbroken greenway corridors in the state, creating a lasting legacy, to be shared and enjoyed by all those who value the great outdoors.  REI has been a long time supporter of the Cumberland Trail Conference.  With their continued support, the Cumberland Trail project will continue to move forward.

See the recent ROCK/CREEK SUPPORT PRESS RELEASE.