The Tennessee Division of Natural Areas, located within the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation's Bureau of Parks and Conservation, is dedicated to restoration and protection of plants, animals, and natural communities that represent the natural biological diversity of the state. The Division of Natural Areas oversees the Natural Heritage Inventory Program and the Natural Areas an
d Scenic Rivers Program. The Division administers the Tennessee Natural Areas Preservation Act of 1971, the Tennessee Scenic Rivers Act of 1968, the Rare Plant Protection and Conservation Act of 1985, the Ginseng Dealer Registration Act of 1983 and the Ginseng Harvest Season Act of 1985. The Division of Natural Areas, with a staff including professional biologists, botanists, zoologists,ecologists, natural resource management specialists and data managers, conducts a wide variety of programs and activities focused on the conservation, restoration and management of Tennessee's vast diversity of natural resources. These activities include providing technical assistance and educational programs for governmental agencies, non-governmental organizations, industrial and other private landowners, educational institutions, as well as managing a statewide system of State Natural Areas and Scenic Rivers. The Division of Natural Areas is a member of the Natural Heritage Network, a consortium of Natural Heritage Programs from each state in the U. The division receives technical support from, and cooperates with, Natureserve, the science and data affiliate of The Nature Conservancy. The division’s Natural Heritage programs and Natureserve together provide a scientific basis for effective conservation and serve as a trusted source for information about rare and endangered species and threatened ecosystems.
