The Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry will host an event to celebrate the dedication of Tennessee’s 16th state forest, Wolf River State Forest. The event is on March 21 at 9:30 a.m. Central at Bryan Hall at the Ames Plantation, 3890 Buford Ellington Road in Grand Junction. Brunch will be served at 9:30 a.m. and the program begins at 10 a.m. A guided tour of the forest is at 11 a.m.
The land, which is a portion of the historic Ames Plantation, boasts extensive natural resources and has a long legacy of active forest management, educational demonstration and research, as well as a rich cultural history.
Officials said, "The acquisition of Wolf River State Forest ensures the continuation of multigenerational research and secures the University of Tennessee’s long-standing use of the forest to train future natural resources management professionals.
It also supports the sustainable management of the 5,477 acres of forest land and the conservation of more than 30 miles of streams.
"TDF advanced this project in partnership with The Conservation Fund, a nonprofit organization that works to protect natural land, cultural sites, recreation areas, and working forests and farms across the United States.
"Funding for the purchase was made possible with grant funds from the USDA Forest Service Forest Legacy Program, supported by Tennessee’s federal Congressional delegation, State Appropriations, and Tennessee Heritage Conservation Trust Fund. Matching funds were provided from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency’s Wetlands Funds, The Conservation Fund, and the seller."