Renowned landscape architect Judson Newbern, with a master’s degree from Harvard University and over 30 years of experience at Vanderbilt University, recently highlighted the importance of preserving Nashville’s Highland Rim Forest. This forest, the largest continuous urban forest in any major city globally, is home to rich biodiversity, clean water, and air-filtering trees.
Newbern emphasized the need to integrate the woodlands into city and state conservation plans to protect them from fragmentation and destruction. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency has identified the Western Highland Rim Forest, which includes the Davidson County woodlands, as a priority area for conservation due to development pressures.
The Alliance to Conserve Nashville’s Highland Rim Forest, led by Kathleen Williams, is working with over 35 local and international environmental organizations to protect this valuable urban habitat. They encourage dialogue with landowners to explore stewardship options and prevent further degradation of the forest.
Through partnerships with conservation groups and visionary planners, Nashville has the opportunity to create a model for sustainable urban development that prioritizes nature integration. The recent decline in Metro’s tree canopy underscores the urgency of this issue, making it crucial for residents to support efforts to preserve the forest.
To join the Alliance’s conservation efforts and learn more about how to protect Nashville’s Highland Rim Forest, visit their website at nashvillehighlandrimforest.org. By working together, residents can ensure a healthy environment for future generations and maintain Nashville’s unique green setting amidst urban growth.
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