Department of Environment & Conservation
Jim Fyke, Commissioner

Resource Management Division

The Resource Management Division in the department’s Bureau of Parks and Conservation is dedicated to restoration and protection of plants, animals, and natural communities that represent thenatural biological diversity of Tennessee. The Bureau’s Resource Management Division oversees the following program areas: Natural Heritage Inventory Program, Natural Areas and Scenic Rivers Program, and 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 Resource Management Division, 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, and educational institutions, as well as managing a statewide system of State Natural Areas and Scenic Rivers.

The Resource Management Division is a member of the Natural Heritage Network, a consortium of Natural Heritage Programs from each state in the U. S., and similar programs from Canada, Central and South America. 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.