How We Work

The TSMP funds mitigation projects on degraded streams throughout Tennessee. Through valuable partnerships with government resource agencies and non-profit conservation groups, the TSMP identifies streams where the physical habitat has been impaired or degraded. With permission and cooperation from participating riparian landowners, the TSMP designs, constructs, monitors, and maintains mitigation projects that benefit both the stream and the landowner. All TSMP projects are constructed at no cost to the landowner. Mitigation projects are monitored for success over a period of five years and must be protected in perpetuity by a conservation easement held by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Foundation (TWRF).

TSMP project TYPES

The TSMP’s first project went into the ground in 2006. Since then, we have built a total of 27 projects across the state of Tennessee.

One of our top priorities is to create an impact on a watershed scale. To do this, we favor larger projects with more stream length to intervene and change erosion occurrence. The average linear footage of our projects is 8,700.

Each region of the state provides different challenges and obstacles that affect the design and implementation of every TSMP project. For more information on TSMP projects, please visit the Projects page.

Linear Footage by Project

landowner benefits and long term protection

The TSMP provides numerous benefits to participating landowners. The most direct, measurable benefits are the repair of eroding stream banks, the restoration of a degraded stream, and the reclamation of a riparian buffer. TSMP mitigation projects stop the wasteful erosion that carries away valuable land. TSMP projects may increase the value of riparian lands and provide tax incentives for participating landowners. The TSMP is required to protect every mitigation project with a conservation easement. Conservation easements ensure that mitigation projects are protected in perpetuity, while allowing landowners to retain ownership of the property without granting public access. Additionally, landowners may be able to deduct the value of the donated easement as a charitable contribution.

We are not currently seeking new projects, but if you have any questions please contact us.