Preserving Biodiversity in the Cumberland Mountain Region

About this grant

The rivers and streams of the southeastern United States are an important repository of the region’s aquatic biodiversity. Since 1993, the Southeastern Regional Office of the National Parks Conservation Association has been working to develop policy tools and community-based watershed management approaches that meet human needs for water while sustaining the ecological integrity of river systems within the national park system. The focus of much of this work has been on implementing in-stream flow protection strategies. Multiyear funding will support efforts to enhance and protect three gorges managed by the National Park Service in the Cumberland Mountains region: the Obed River, Big South Fork River and Little River Canyon. Activities will include assisting a local group working to protect the Obed River; encouraging community engagement at the two other sites, beginning with the Big South Fork River; working with the National Park Service to promote effective efforts at all three sites; participating in the development and/or implementation of the general management plan for the Big South Fork River and Little Canyon River sites; and responding to strategic opportunities to protect or restore water resources at each site.