Harpeth Conservancy

Harpeth Conservancy is a science-based conservation organization dedicated to protecting clean water and healthy ecosystems for rivers across Tennessee by employing scientific expertise and collaborative relationships to develop, promote and support broad community stewardship and action.

With over 25 years of experience, HC plays a key role convening stakeholders across Tennessee to tackle the most pressing threats to clean water and rivers. HC works in collaboration and partnership with environmental agencies, community members, businesses, decision-makers, and others to build consensus around solutions and to put those solutions in place. Currently, HC is the only organization working statewide solely on issues impacting clean water and ecosystems for TN rivers.

As over 1 million people move to Middle TN in the next decade, the health of our communities and critical water resources are threatened by the following: unsustainable growth, aging water infrastructure, weakened water quality rules and regulations, warmer temperatures, prolonged droughts, and increased flooding due to more intense weather events. In this context, undue burden is placed on underserved communities in both rural and urban environments to manage the consequences of declining water quality and quantity.

Harpeth Conservancy’s 3 core programs seek to address these interconnected issues and form our well-rounded, multi-disciplinary approach to solving complex problems alongside communities: responsible policy, sound science, and strong community engagement.

Clean Water Protection: HC leverages our expertise and long-term relationships with TN’s environmental agencies and decision-makers, coordinates coalitions with partner organizations, and builds capacity for community-driven advocacy that addresses the root causes of pollution and ecological degradation.

Watershed Science: HC plans and implements research projects that protect and improve water quality and support data-informed policy recommendations. In addition to providing scientific expertise for our clean water protection program, our science program coordinates a citizen science water quality monitoring network - over 30 volunteers and interns who collect and analyze over 635 samples a year from 18 sites on impaired rivers and streams in Middle TN. The results of our sampling efforts are shared via our river advisory tool (TN's first ever!) - TN Water Watch - and bolster the state’s data on impaired rivers.

Community Engagement: HC provides pathways for stewardship development - volunteerism, membership, and internships, and implements educational communication and outreach strategies. We mobilize community leadership through neighborhood-based restoration efforts, education, and hands-on trainings for all-ages.

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