Conservation

We've taken on a different type of hands on conservation effort

We took on manageing a large parcel of property in middle Tennessee.

This managed property covers more than 90 acres, with two natural springs, two creeks, part of a pond, a river cut back and a river running through the land. The combination of water, woods, and open areas provides a variety of habitats for wildlife throughout the property.

It's not a "save the rainforrest type project" but it's near 100 acres of Tennessee land, where animals can just live and lots of other can have a second chance at living. And we can see it. See the result daily, rather then mail off a few $ and hope for good news down the road.

Over the years, the property has also been used as a place to release unwanted snakes, raccoons, and other animals that needed somewhere to go. Some we removed from yards of scared home owners, others dropped off by people we've told feel free to release them rather then destroy them for being "nuisance" animals somewhere else.

Depending on the time of year and where you happen to be on the property, you may find an assortment of wildlife, including snakes, anoles, skinks, fence lizards, frogs, salamanders, box turtles, other turtles, beavers, otters, raccoons, foxes, turkeys, deer, bobcats, and more. Won't put to much detail but hellbenders may also be found occasionally.(endangered species that should be left alone)

Some of the resident wildlife has become surprisingly accustomed to our presence. Many of the snakes and deer that live here have reached the point where they mostly just ignore us, allowing us to observe them without constantly disturbing their natural behavior.

It is not a zoo, they're not pets and there are no guarantees about what you will see. That's part of what makes the property interesting — the wildlife is there on its own terms.

While caring for the property it stayed off of the sales/development block at a time when "river front" land is in high demand. Staying undeveloped has left the springs clean as the flow into the river and has kept an estimated 40,000+ total trees on the land. Land that was mostly clear cut at one point back in the 90's.

The developed area of the land, mostly grass provides grazing and feeding area's for deer, turkey and songbirds.

YES venomous snakes can be found on the property. Occasionally rattle snakes in the wooded areas, copperheads more along the water. Not many are found near the building as the racers and kingsnakes hand out in those areas.

No idea how long this will continue. Our orginal deal with the owner was "around 3-4 years" March of 2013. As of fall 2026, still doing it.

Sometimes the mowing, trimming, fixing gets tiring besides jobs, pets, pet expos and life in general. But it's also nice knowing ,it's land , not houses, not vacation lots and a copperhead or a ratsnake from down the road can be let loose "out back" rather then be declared a "problem" down the road.

Fortunately as an added plus a large pacel of land "next door" is owned by people outside of the U.S. with no immediate desire to develope or sell. Effectively tripleing the footprint of the area. (they may have less "waterfront though).