What this tracks
This dataset records protected forest lands in Tennessee under the U.S. Forest Service’s Forest Legacy Program, including conservation easements and purchased tracts.
Why it matters to you
If you’re considering buying rural property near protected forests, this data tells you whether adjacent lands have permanent conservation protections that could affect your views, wildlife activity, or future development rights. For hikers and hunters, it identifies areas where public access may be restricted despite federal involvement — like the Hutchinson tract where easement language doesn’t guarantee entry.
How to read this data
projectname — The official name of the protected area (e.g., “Hutchinson”).
purchasetype — How the land was protected, like “Conservation Easement” or full purchase.
publicaccesstype — Whether public entry is allowed (sample shows “no guaranteed access”).
acre — Total protected area in acres (e.g., 490 acres for Hutchinson).
Try it yourself
Check if any Forest Legacy tracts exist near your county using the location field (e.g., “Worcester County” in the samples) to understand long-term land protections in your area.