Hill's Island: An Inspiring Nashville Island is Gifted to the Compact (featuring Kaaren May, Tara Armistead, Alice Hudson Pell, and Christie Henderson)
As Nashville continues to grow, properties along the banks of the Cumberland River have become coveted parcels of land for developers. There are plans to dramatically change several areas of the riverfront in the coming years, but one section will remain untouched, and under the continued stewardship of a conservation group. The TennGreen Land Conservancy has generously gifted Hill’s Island, located on the river in Madison, to the Cumberland River Compact.
Hill’s Island is a 20-acre parcel of wooded land that stretches nearly a half-mile, creating a channel on the western side of the island. The area attracts a variety of wildlife, such as nesting birds and deer, along with various trees and plant life.
Hill’s Island had been under the ownership of TennGreen Land Conservancy (formerly the Tennessee Parks and & Greenways Foundation) since 2006. TennGreen is the oldest accredited statewide land conservancy in Tennessee and will continue to help landowners and communities to protect large connected natural areas.
In the years following TennGreen’s acquisition of the island, the organization planned to use the land as an outdoor classroom and wilderness park. These plans reflected both the values of keeping the land wild and rustic, while also providing a unique and responsibly managed educational venue for the community to build a stronger connection to the Cumberland River, along with the species residents who rely on it. TennGreen approached the Cumberland River Compact with this vision after determining the endeavor laid outside its primary mission.
The Compact acquired Hill’s Island in June 2021 and looks forward to continuing to explore the opportunities to share the island for education, research, and recreation as well as become deeply familiar with the island’s historical significance.