Conservation Achievement Awards recognizes Barger
For more than a half-century, Tennessee Wildlife Federation has recognized Tennesseans leading conservation in the state
Tennessee Wildlife Federation, one of the largest and oldest nonprofits dedicated to the conservation of Tennessee’s wildlife and natural resources, recently hosted its 53rd Annual Conservation Achievement Awards. The ceremony was held in Nashville and presented 16 awards to recipients from all corners of the state, including Knoxville’s Don Barger with notable work in Anderson, Campbell, Morgan, and Scott counties.
“Tennessee is the most biologically diverse inland state in the nation and we have a long and rich outdoor heritage in our state. No one organization or person can conserve it on their own,” said Michael Butler, CEO of Tennessee Wildlife Federation. “When our organization was just 20 years old, we started these awards to celebrate those making a meaningful difference to Tennessee’s natural resources. Even after 50-plus years and more than 600 award winners, we are inspired by the work of this year’s honorees.”
Don Barger of Knoxville was recognized with the Z. Cartter Patten Award for his notable work in Anderson, Campbell, Morgan, and Scott Counties.
Barger has dedicated more than 35-years to the conservation of Tennessee’s pristine mountain landscapes. Throughout his career, he has petitioned to have significant conservation areas designated as unsuitable for mining.
In 2017, his persistence paid dividends when 75,000 acres of Tennessee’s North Cumberland Wildlife Management Area
received that designation, safeguarding 569 miles of ridgelines and habitats, including the world’s nesting hot spot for the threatened cerulean warbler.