Bredesen Announces Addition to Rugby State Natural Area

Nashville, Tenn. – Governor Phil Bredesen and Department of Environment and Conservation Commissioner Jim Fyke have announced the addition of 123 acres to the Rugby State Natural Area in Morgan County. The property was purchased from Historic Rugby, Inc. for $250,000 utilizing the Land and Water Conservation Fund. The natural area now protects a total of 446 acres, and will offer additional public access and interpretive exhibits.

“I’m pleased we were able to work with Historic Rugby to preserve this land and expand the Rugby State Natural Area,” Bredesen said. “By approaching conservation in a strategic way and utilizing our partnerships, we’re not only able to preserve Tennessee’s precious resources for future generations, but we’re also able to enhance tourism and economic opportunities in some of Tennessee’s more rural areas.”

Historic Rugby had previously purchased the 123 acres as part of a larger tract to protect the integrity of the town from encroaching development. The organization and the Department of Environment and Conservation’s Division of Natural Areas will cooperatively manage the site. Once a management plan is completed, public access and hiking trails will be established, and visitors will be able to access the natural area from the new Visitors’ Center opened in Historic Rugby in June 2006. Historic Rugby will also develop and maintain an interpretive exhibit at the historic Massengale Homeplace, located within the new state acquisition.

“We are very happy to not only work with Historic Rugby to acquire and protect important places like the Rugby State Natural Area, but also to cooperatively manage and interpret the area as a part of the overall significance of the historic town of Rugby,” said Fyke. “These kinds of public-private partnerships are critical to our collective success in protecting our natural and cultural heritage.”

Once completed, visitors will be able to enjoy the pastoral beauty and history of Historic Rugby, as well as experience the scenic and peaceful Rugby State Natural Areas all in one visit.

“I’m pleased this partnership will help promote increased recreational and tourism opportunities in this special place,” said Senator Tommy Kilby.

“Rugby is a unique area with a lot to offer local residents and visitors alike,” continued Representative John Mark Windle.

“Historic Rugby’s board and staff have worked for some years to achieve more protection of the rich woodland watersheds that surround the National Register village and affect the nearby Big South Fork National Recreation Area,” says executive director Barbara Stagg. “We can’t say enough about the way that our Governor, our Commissioner of Environment and Conservation, and other State officials have stepped up and partnered with us to acquire and create the new Rugby State Natural Area. We can’t wait until the public can enjoy the trails and interpretive features to be developed there.”

Rugby State Natural Area is one of 77 State Natural Areas protecting nearly 110,000 acres, including some of Tennessee’s most ecologically significant and scenic resources. For more information about this or any of Tennessee’s State Natural Areas, visit www.tdec.net/na, or call 615-532-0431.