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Trust for Public Land asks Dade County to commit $500,000 as match for proposed 650‑acre community forest
Summary
The Trust for Public Land proposed acquiring ~650 acres adjacent to Cloudland Canyon State Park and asked Dade County to commit $500,000 as local match to stack state and federal grants toward an estimated $1.8 million purchase; the commission did not vote on a commitment but agreed to research the proposal.
The Trust for Public Land urged the Dade County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 5 to back a bid to acquire roughly 650 acres near Cloudland Canyon State Park, saying the land could be managed as a community forest for recreation and economic development.
“Noel Durant, Tennessee state director for Trust for Public Land, told commissioners the parcel is strategically located beside Cloudland Canyon and has roughly 650 acres and Lookout Creek frontage,” said Durant, who outlined three funding strategies that would combine federal and state grants with a local match. He recommended a county commitment of $500,000 to help unlock outside funding and estimated the acquisition at about $1.8 million.
Why it matters: Durant said a community forest could capture more visitor spending locally rather than sending tourists back out of the county. He cited an example study showing modest…
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