South Chickamauga Creek Greenway
Lost Cove, photo courtesy of Stephen Alvarez
RiverRocks 2010
Nicknamed the "Scenic City," it's no secret that Chattanooga is proud of the land it sits upon. Nestled between three beloved "mountains," a handful of wooded ridges, and graced by the waters of the Tennessee River cutting right through downtown, Chattanooga has transformed itself into a highly-regarded model for environmental stewardship and a top-notch destination for outdoor recreation.
Fifty years ago Chattanooga was noted for its high pollution levels, but today Chattanoogans can boast of its breathtaking panoramas, its nearby state parks and its expanding network of bike paths and greenways within city limits. In the Tennessee Valley region, there are no less than seven active land trusts working to preserve the natural and cultural values of the surrounding land. Within the city limits, smart planning, green building, and a focus on the beautification of public space not only improve physical health benefits, but also attract businesses, lower the crime rate, and raise property values.
A part of the Benwood Foundation's commitment to a better community includes a responsibility to the environment. In the past, the Foundation has supported the efforts of various land trusts and other organizations focused on outdoor recreation and smart growth and development in the city. Local projects have included the protection of Stringers Ridge, the expansion of the South Chickamauga Creek Greenway, the RiverRocks Festival, a local bike program, and numerous conferences in Chattanooga to showcase the city's environmental assets. Regional projects have included the addition of Fiery Gizzard to the South Cumberland State Recreation Area, the conservation of farmlands, support for the Southern Environmental Law Center, and the protection of key parcels of land such as Lost Cove, portions of the Tennessee River Gorge, Pigeon Mountain/McLemore Cove, and Lookout Mountain.
In seeking effective conservation of diverse and precious natural resources, the Foundation also supports efforts to educate the community about the critical importance of the environment. For additional examples of projects that have received Foundation support, we invite you to watch the slideshow posted below and browse through the grant history. Organizations that best fit the Foundation's priorities will be invited to submit grant proposals.
Press Release
Groundwork to Launch Regional Growth Planning Process Reaches Milestone
Shared Knowledge
Protecting the Best: Wildlife Habitat Conservation in Northwest Georgia
Grants Awarded
2010
Cookeville, TN
$13,000
For building capacity in the promotion of the Nature Viewing Trail, a demonstration of sustainable eco-tourism in the Cumberland Region.
Redding, CA
$10,000
Sponsorship of the 20th National Symposium.
Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga
Chattanooga, TN
$75,000
For the RiverRocks Festival Fund, celebrating outdoor activity in the area, the health benefits of an active outdoor lifestyle, and Chattanooga's commitment to environmental stewardship and land conservation.
Nashville, TN
$225,000
For assistance in the purchase and protection of Fiery Gizzard, a tract of land recognized nationally as one of the most biologically diverse and valuable natural landscapes in the Eastern United States.
Nashville, TN
$75,000
For general operating support for land protection in the Southeast and South Cumberland regions.
Nashville, TN
$100,000
For a conservation easement on the Moore Family Farm/Rattlesnake Springs in Cleveland, TN.
Save Our American Raptors, Inc.
Trenton, GA
$7,000
For the Soar to New Heights Program.
Southern Environmental Law Center
Charlottesville, VA
$100,000
For general operating support for legal, advocacy and educational work in environmental advocacy.
Chattanooga, TN
$200,000
For the South Chickamauga Creek Greenway, a handicapped accessible linear park along the banks of the Tennessee River.
2009
Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga
Chattanooga, TN
$75,000
For the RiverRocks Festival Fund, celebrating outdoor activity in the area, the health benefits of an active outdoor lifestyle, and Chattanooga's commitment to environmental stewardship and land conservation.
Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga
Chattanooga, TN
$44,000
For GreenSpaces to develop an educational component to include a partnership with the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga to provide educational opportunities for students and professional development for staff, and to bring nationally recognized leaders in green building to speak to the community.
Nashville, TN
$75,000
For general operating support for land protection in the Southeast and South Cumberland regions.
Nashville, TN
$5,000
For sponsorship of the Southeastern Water Trails Symposium.
Southern Environmental Law Center
Charlottesville, VA
$100,000
For general operating support for legal, advocacy and educational work in environmental advocacy.
Southern Sustainable Agricultural Working Group
Fayetteville, AR
$10,000
For sponsorship for the Southern SAWG Conference.
Chattanooga, TN
$50,000
For protection of Stringer's Ridge.
2008
Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga
Chattanooga, TN
$100,000
For the Take Root Project to double the percentage of tree canopy cover in the urban core of Chattanooga.
Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga
Chattanooga, TN
$88,000
For GreenSpaces to develop an educational component to include a partnership with the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga to provide educational opportunities for students and professional development for staff, and to bring nationally recognized leaders in green building to speak to the community.
Crabtree Farms of Chattanooga, Inc.
Chattanooga, TN
$35,000
For the Chattanooga Area Foodshed Assessment.
Nashville, TN
$300,000
For the purchase and placement of conservation easements on Lost Cove and Champion Cove, and to transfer ownership to the University of the South.
Nashville, TN
$107,500
For land conservation easements in North Hamilton County.
Nature Conservancy - Tennessee Chapter
Nashville, TN
$20,000
For the Alliance for the Cumberlands phase II of the Nature Viewing Trail.
Chattanooga, TN
$14,250
For wetlands restoration.
Society for Conservation Biology
Arlington, VA
$50,000
For sponsorship of the Society of Conservation Biology and Annual Meeting in Chattanooga.
Southern Environmental Law Center
Charlottesville, VA
$75,000
For general operating support for legal, advocacy and educational work in environmental advocacy.
Southern Sustainable Agricultural Working Group
Fayetteville, AR
$10,000
For sponsorship of the 18th Annual Practical Tools and Solutions for Sustaining Family Farms Conference.
Lakemont, GA
$35,000
For the Stop I-3 Campaign, an organized citizen effort to prevent the construction of an interstate from Savannah, Georgia to Knoxville, Tennessee, threatening four National Forests and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Chattanooga, TN
$250,000
For the placement of a conservation easement on the Stolpmann property, 308 acres in the Tennessee River Gorge.
Chattanooga, TN
$250,000
For the protection of Stringer's Ridge.
2007
Chattanooga, TN
$13,000
For the Volunteer Management Collaborative Project, a pilot program for a shared volunteer position for three land trusts: Tennessee River Gorge, Reflection Riding, and Lookout Mountain Land Trust.
Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga
Chattanooga, TN
$44,000
For GreenSpaces to develop an educational component to include a partnership with the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga to provide educational opportunities for students and professional development for staff, and to bring nationally recognized leaders in green building to speak to the community.
Chattanooga, TN
$22,500
For land conservation easements in North Hamilton County.
Chattanooga, TN
$50,000
For the Conservation Corridor Trail System.
Nature Conservancy - Tennessee Chapter
Nashville, TN
$250,000
For securing conservation easements on the Thompson Track (Estill Fork) and the Butler-Jones Tract, two parcels of land on the Tennessee State Wildlife Plan located in the South Cumberlands.
Birmingham, AL
$250,000
For securing conservation easements on properties in the South Cumberlands and Southern Ridge and Valley, as well as the headwaters of the Little River on Lookout Mountain.
New York, NY
$250,000
For the Northwest Georgia Land Protection Fund, to establish a fund designed to support the protection of wildlife and critical habitat in northwest Georgia.
Chattanooga, TN
$61,500
For Renaissance Park Environmental Quality and Education, to create a system maintenance and care program and for educational outreach.
Southern Environmental Law Center
Charlottesville, VA
$75,000
For general operating support for legal, advocacy and educational work in environmental advocacy.
Chattanooga, TN
$50,000
For Phase 1 of the South Chickamauga Creek Greenway, a public path for leisure and recreational purposes along South Chickamauga Creek.
2006
Chattanooga, TN
$19,000
For the Volunteer Management Collaborative Project, a pilot program for a shared volunteer position for three land trusts - the Tennessee River Gorge, Reflection Riding, and Lookout Mountain Land Trust - to be trained and managed by the Center for Nonprofits.
Chattanooga-Hamilton County Regional Planning Agency
Chattanooga, TN
$20,000
For the Safe Routes to School Program, a public awareness campaign encouraging and improving conditions for students to walk and bike to school.
Washington, D.C.
$20,000
For the Land Trust Alliance's National Conservation Conference.
Nashville, TN
$50,000
For land conservation easements in North Hamilton County.
Southern Environmental Law Center
Charlottesville, VA
$75,000
For general operating support for legal, advocacy and educational work in environmental advocacy.