01.
02.
03.
THE LAND
Where we work
Appalachian Conservation Institute currently protects about 10,000 acres along the Little Sequatchie River. This land is contiguous, providing a critical corridor for wildlife.
More than 46 rare and endangered species have been identified in the cove. Some of these species, such as the toothy coil mollusk, the blowing cave beetle, and the Sequatchie caddisfly, are found in fewer than five places on Earth.
Our Impact
Conservation by the numbers
Our vision
ACI is working to ensure a future of protected lands, thriving biologically—where aspiring conservationists are allowed to explore untrammeled.
PUBLIC ACCESS
Hunting and recreation
At ACI, we believe nature heals us. We want the local community to enjoy this natural sanctuary. It’s also our mission to ensure the cove is thriving for future generations, which requires us to respect the land’s limits.
Currently, we are providing access to Appalachian Conservation Institute properties by prior written approval only. In the near future, we plan to implement an online permitting system where community members can apply for access for free.
To be notified when we launch the permitting system, sign up for email updates.
OUR PROGRAMS
How we’re healing the land
Save hemlocks
The cove’s hemlock trees are under attack by an invasive, aphid-like insect called hemlock woolly adelgid (uh-DEL-jid). Left untreated, this infestation could take out all the hemlocks within a decade. We’ve hired local foresters to treat our trees before it’s too late.
Restore savannas
White-tailed deer, wild turkey, and grassland birds all thrive in pine oak savannas, which used to occur naturally throughout the cove. We’ll restore these savannas with regenerative practices, such as prescribed fire and proactive timber management.
Monitor birds
Birds are an indicator species, meaning they’re especially sensitive to changes in their environment. We’ll track bird populations and migration patterns through bird-banding to better understand the health of our forests. These insights will inform our management practices.
Community partners
