Who We Are

Established in 2016, the Tennessee State Parks Conservancy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit partner of the Tennessee State Parks system. Although many parks have a Friends group to support their specific park, the Tennessee State Parks Conservancy supports projects and programs that span multiple parks.

In partnership with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, the Tennessee State Parks Conservancy works to raise funds for educational programs, health initiatives and special park projects that preserve, protect and enhance the 56 state parks across Tennessee.

Board of Directors

Marlee Mitchell, Chair

Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis, LLP

Laura Franklin, Secretary

Tennessee State Parks

Cathy Cate

Leadership Tennessee

Michael Drescher

BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee

Deputy Commissioner, Parks & Conservation

Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation

Charley Poe

Eastman Chemical Company

Cosby Stone

TAP Publishing Company

Advisory Council

Mark Nickell

J. Mark Nickell & Co.

Stacy Nunnally

Stacy Nunnally Consulting

About Tennessee State Parks

From its beginning in 1937, Tennessee State Parks were established to preserve and protect the unique natural, cultural and historic resources of Tennessee. The public interest has also been served by a variety of benefits for citizens and communities produced by our state park system, promoting stronger communities and healthier citizens across the state through diverse resource-based recreation while conserving the natural environment for today and tomorrow – preserving authentic Tennessee places and spaces for future generations to enjoy. As stewards of the resources in our parks, we seek to manage Tennessee’s state parks in order to preserve and protect valued resources and to provide a balance of services and benefits for the enjoyment of the people.