Making Space for Native Life

This year, we continued to expand our work across campus to restore landscapes where native plants—and the wildlife that depend on them—can thrive.

Through Project ReWild, our team and volunteers made meaningful progress transforming areas once dominated by invasive plants into healthier, more diverse landscapes. Invasive removal may be the most visible part of this work, but the goal is recovery: creating space for native plant communities to return and provide the food, shelter, nesting areas, and other resources wildlife need.

We also conducted multiple prescribed burns on campus this year. Carefully managed fire helps suppress invasive plants, activate native seed banks, and create the space and light native species need to thrive. We are grateful to Southeastern Grasslands Institute for its expertise and support, and to volunteers from Tennessee River Gorge Trust and our community who worked alongside our team.

Our work with turtles further illustrates the connection between plants and wildlife. Through the SAFE North American Turtle Program, we continue to care for turtles threatened by illegal collection and habitat loss, while recognizing that protecting wildlife also means ensuring healthy places for them to live.

From invasive removal and prescribed fire to wildlife conservation, this year’s work reinforced just how connected these efforts are. Together, we are restoring landscapes across our campus and throughout the Tennessee Valley while building a community that plays an active role in helping them thrive.