Tennessee Pine Candles:

Safeguarding Our State's Natural Character with The Land Trust for Tennessee

Have you ever strolled through a local, wildflower-dotted meadow or hiked beneath the sun-dappled canopy of a nearby forest? Ever enjoyed the sound of our gushing waterfalls, the songs of local birds, or the Tennessee wind whistling in a forest? If you have, chances are you’ve benefited firsthand from the hard work of organizations like The Land Trust for Tennessee. 

Tranquil and unspoiled wildlife is an irreplaceable part of our region’s natural character. Out-of-towners can’t help but gush over Tennessee’s lush greenery, but for us locals, it’s just part of life. Having hillside havens of homegrown hickory and oak in our backyard, and wild spaces where we can breathe and be, is just how we do things around here. 

Between our rich wildlife and the down-to-earth kindness of locals, it’s no wonder more folks are moving in. But, as we’re expanding to welcome new neighbors and prepare for future generations, we’re also losing something precious—an average of at least 137 acres of open space every day to development. That adds up to over one million acres lost in the spans of 20 years.  

A solitary tree in an open field with blue skies and scattered clouds at Peacock Hill, Tennessee, representing natural beauty and tranquility.

Securing Our Roots

Thankfully, the good people at The Land Trust for Tennessee are working day in and day out to help families and landowners statewide to conserve these beloved open spaces. As of now, they’ve already protected over 136,000 acres of land! 

Take the Ogilvies, for example, who have owned their family land, which is now Peacock Hill Nature Park, for generations. It’s been a place for the kids to explore and play, serving as a haven for the family to reconnect with God, nature, and one another. “Both of my dad’s brothers lived near the land,” Walt Ogilvie recalled, “and we’d hike the trails before it ever became Peacock Hill Nature Park. My dad loved the outdoors and hiking, and when he retired, he and my mom opened an inn on the property. They mapped out trails for guests, and whenever my siblings and I visited, especially around Thanksgiving, we’d hike those trails daily.”

With the help of The Land Trust for Tennessee, the Ogilvie family was able to place a conservation easement on their property, protecting their family’s legacy permanently, protecting the land from development, and contributing to the health of future generations in Williamson County.

Protecting Tennessee, Acre by Acre

The Land Trust for Tennessee has done conservation work for over 450 projects in 76 counties across Tennessee. From family farms to natural forests, they’ve been a steady partner in keeping our landscapes around for future generations. 

To honor The Land Trust for Tennessee’s ongoing efforts to protect our diverse landscapes and beauty, we’ve released, "Tennessee Pine." 

Did you know Tennessee is considered the most biologically diverse inland state? We’re blessed with natural beauties like the Appalachian Temperate Rainforest, the Smoky Mountains, the Cumberland Plateau, Karst Caves and Sinkholes, Highland Rim Oak Forests, and Alluvial Plains. Included in our rich biodiversity is a variety of native pines: Loblolly, Shortleaf, Virginia, Eastern White, and Red—which inspired the fresh, grounding scent of our latest candle. 

We’re dedicating this candle to the hardworking folks of The Land Trust for Tennessee, who are doing the hard work of caring for our land. A portion of every sale will go directly to The Land Trust for Tennessee, helping them keep our landscapes conserved for years to come. 

Sources:
https://www.landtrusttn.org/our-impact/
https://www.landtrusttn.org/
https://www.landtrusttn.org/our-impact/conservation-stories/
https://cumberlandrivercompact.org/2022/08/23/farmland-under-threat-with-brooks-lamb-american-farmland-trust
https://tenngreen.org/exploring-tennessees-wildlife-habitats/

Land Loss Summaries: 
https://farmmanagement.tennessee.edu/land-loss/ (Source)

©Nectarine Studio LLC
Images provided by The Land Trust for Tennessee

Tennessee Pine candle by Highland Rim Candle Co. placed on a log in a natural forest setting, echoing the fragrance of Tennessee pine woods.

For each Tennessee Pine Candle sold, $1 supports The Land Trust for Tennessee, helping to conserve the unique character of the state’s natural and historic landscapes for future generations.

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