TennGreen Land Conservancy announced today the protection of an additional 115 acres along Whites Creek in Rhea County. Glenn and Holland McConnell, Nashville, partnered with environmental nonprofits TennGreen Land Conservancy and the Open Space Institute (OSI) to expand an existing conservation easement on their land and protect the species-rich waters and forests for future generations. The amended conservation easement now protects more than 200 acres in total and nearly two miles of frontage along Whites Creek.

Located along the eastern edge of the Cumberland Plateau, Whites Creek is an outstanding scenic river positioned within a steep gorge and is home to rare fish and wildlife. One species found in its waters is the uncommon Tennessee dace (Chrosomus tennesseensis). The Tennessee dace, and many other native species, rely on connected corridors of land and undisturbed habitat to survive and adapt to environmental changes. Intentional conservation, like protecting land through conservation easements, is critical to help them withstand and recover from disturbances, natural disasters, and the effects of climate change.

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