The Chattanooga Audubon Society announced that it has received funding from the Maclellan Foundation for enhancements to Maclellan Island, which is one of its nature preserves located in the Tennessee River in downtown Chattanooga.
Phase One funding includes:
- Educational Signage Development
- Composting toilet installation
- Dock Repair
- Bunkhouse Roof Repair (for group camping)
- Trail improvement
Phase Two funding includes:
- Signage Production/Installation
- Picnic Tables/Benches purchase and installation
- Purchase of canoes and kayaks for guided tours and volunteer use
- Continued trail improvement
The Chattanooga Audubon Society (CAS) was established in 1944 and is the first land trust in Hamilton County. Maclellan Island was donated to the CAS in 1954 by Robert J. Maclellan and has been one of its protected sanctuary properties since that time.
Maclellan Island is a unique, 18.8-acre nature sanctuary, situated in the middle of the Tennessee River. The island is home to a great diversity of plants, animals, and birds. Muskrats, geese and kingfishers can be seen feeding at the water’s edge, while the forest is home to songbirds, turkeys, raccoons, owls, opossums, fox, woodpeckers, and more.
Maclellan Island is also a place to quietly watch nesting osprey and great-blue heron as well as an important feeding area for migrating warblers.
It is a place of serenity in the heart of Chattanooga.
The Chattanooga Audubon Society is a non-profit recognized by the state of Tennessee. All donations are tax-deductible.