The Buffalo River winds through parts of Humphreys, Lawrence, Lewis, Perry and Wayne Counties and drains 736 square miles before emptying into the Duck River in Humphreys County. The many river outfitters servicing the river attest to its value as a recreational river in Middle Tennessee and portions of the Buffalo River is designated as a State Scenic River because of its scenic and pastoral qualities.
The Land Trust for Tennessee has been focusing over the past several years on protecting lands along the Duck River and its tributaries, so it was a clear progression to start working with landowners along the Buffalo River, the largest tributary to the Duck River. In 2007, The Land Trust for Tennessee worked with three families to protect over 800 acres of land along the Buffalo River in Perry County. That is over 2 miles of the Buffalo River that will be permanently conserved with the scenic views of open farmland that will be enjoyed by canoeists for many generations to come.
“As the project manager for the Duck River Highlands, I was thrilled to expand the project area to include all major tributaries of the Lower Duck River Watershed,” said Doug Rodman, Duck River Project Manager. “I have really enjoyed the opportunity to work with these landowners along the Buffalo River. This extraordinary area offers a true mix of conservation values including scenic, recreational, and agricultural values as well as tremendous diversity of plants and animals. I hope that as more people continue coming to the Buffalo River, they will see and appreciate how lucky we all are that these landowners have conserved their lands for future generations.”
The newly protected lands include:
• The Volner Farm protected by Ricky and Lee Volner contains 220 acres of farm and forestland near Lobelville on Highway 13. The conservation easement protects over 3500 feet of frontage on both sides of the Buffalo River, significant amounts of prime agricultural soils, and scenic views along Highway 13 and the Buffalo River. Ricky and Lee Volner have owned land in Perry County for over 30 years and own a sawmill in nearby Parsons, TN. They bought this land in 2006 to save it from being cut into 1-acre river-front camping lots.
• Directly adjacent to the Volner Farm, is the 260-acre Tate Farm protected by Janice Tate Zeitlin and her husband Manuel. The Tates have farmed land from Linden to Lobelville over many generations and Janice is the third generation of Tates to own this land. The conservation easement protects a half mile of frontage on the west side of the Buffalo River, conserves a working farm with significant agricultural soils and contains over a half mile of frontage on Highway 13. Janice owns and runs the Zeitgeist Gallery in Nashville and serves as Board President for the Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee. Manuel is a renowned local architect and owns Manuel Zeitlin Architects.
• Approximately 10 miles upriver are two properties totaling 340 acres protected by Dr. Tom Duncan and his sister Mary Alice Duncan Green. The siblings donated two conservation easements protecting over 240 acres on the Buffalo River and 97 acres on Short Creek, a significant tributary to the Buffalo. The conservation easements protect over 4,500 feet of frontage on the Buffalo River, .6 miles of frontage on Short Creek, scenic views from Highway 412 and significant agricultural soils. Tom and Mary Alice were both born on the property and their family has farmed the land since 1930.
The Buffalo River is the longest unimpounded river in Middle Tennessee, flowing through the southern and western portions of the region. It is the largest tributary of the Duck River and is used by thousands of canoeists each year, especially in its middle sections in Wayne and Perry Counties. It is one of Tennessee’s most biologically diverse and significant rivers with at least 11 rare species of fish and mussels including at least 4 with federal status.
