The Tennessee River Gorge Trust, working in partnership with the Trust for Public Land,  has agreed to hold a conservation easement on 55 acres on Stringer’s Ridge.  This ensures protection from any development of the northern part of Stringer's Ridge and makes it even more important that we complete the protection of the entire ridge, including the neighboring 38-acre section acquired by the Trust for Public Land a year ago." 

"This is not only the viewshed from the Hunter Art Museum but it is a downtown vantage point in which to view the entrance to the Tennessee River Gorge" said Jim Brown Executive Director of The River Gorge Trust.   

Located in the heart of North Chattanooga this historic property is a completely forested area in the midst of the urban heart of Chattanooga.  Mature oak and hickory trees dominate a host of other native trees which cloak the slopes of this low ridge.  A surprisingly rich bird population fills the forest canopy and rounds out a rich treasure of plant and animal life. 

 Mr. Brown and Mr.  Rick Wood, the Director of the Trust for Public Land’s Chattanooga office,  indicated that Tennessee River Gorge Trust and the Trust for Public Land will continue to work with the City of Chattanooga and with local bicycle and hiking clubs to further develop and maintain the recreational trail system on the property. 

 Mr. Wood said, "We appreciate the work of The River Gorge Trust and Jimmy Hudson, President of Stringer’s Ridge, Inc., in securing the donation of the Conservation Easement and now we need to finish the job.  TPL borrowed about $2 million to acquire the initial 38 acres next to the Stringer’s Ridge, Inc. property, and we've almost raised enough money to retire that loan, but we're still $300,000 short, in addition to the funding we need from the city of Chattanooga.  As we start a new year, the Stringer’s Ridge, Inc. donation will give a huge momentum boost to our effort, and we look forward to the support and generosity of the people who love Stringer's Ridge to complete the job of protecting this special place."

Mr. Hudson commented that protecting the land from commercial development will have long lasting benefits to the community and he complimented the staff at The River Gorge Trust for their assistance in making the donation a reality.  “I encourage others to join me in providing The River Gorge Trust and the Trust for Public Land the resources, financial and otherwise, that will enable these organizations to make this property a lasting community asset.”

For more information about TRGT's partner, the Chattanooga office of the Trust for Public Land, click here.

To view photos from "A Morning on Stringer's Ridge," please click here.

(Top) Stringer's Ridge frames the view from the Walnut Street Bridge.  (Bottom) View of Chattanooga from Stringer's Ridge.