About Us

In partnership with the Tennessee Department of Transportation, the City of Chattanooga, Hamilton County, Ragan + Smith Associates — and a consortium of dedicated Tennesseans — We are already creating innovative, eco-friendly & creative gateways into Chattanooga & throughout Tennessee. As an organization, our goal is to ‘Be a Friend’ to our state roadways by installing & maintaining aesthetic vegetation & reforestation, protecting scenic & natural resources & designing landscapes that create a sense of place & pride. The Gateway to Chattanooga project alone will include the installation of over 1,000 trees, 1,300 day lilies, 1,200 blue iris’ & over 4 acres of wildflowers.

It takes a village. Between civic approvals, horticultural consults, landscape design & financial maintenance, The Tennessee Interstate Conservancy, coordinates interstate greenway development from start to finish. Whether in Chattanooga or Memphis — or somewhere along a road in-between, it takes government, business & private support to make each ‘roadway to greenway’ project successful.

“Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT), Ragan - Smith Associates, Inc., Tennessee Interstate Conservancy, Inc., and the City of Chattanooga’s Department of Public Works did a fabulous job of formulating a landscape plan that incorporates three of Chattanooga’s most important and cherished core values into the overall design of the landscaping component of the Highway 27 renovation project. The team proved that the economic, ecological, and aesthetic factors did not clash, but rather were blended into a well-designed scheme that brought out the best of all three core values... ”

— Gene Hyde | City Forester | City of Chattanooga

Our Work

Planning & Design

Through coordinated efforts of civic organizations, businesses & benefactors, we are designing, installing & financially maintaining interstate exchanges. We have worked with the City of Chattanooga, Hamilton County, the Tennessee Department of Transportation & Ragan + Smith Associates to develop the plans and renderings for our first project, The Gateway to Chattanooga.

Horticulture & Installation

Working with landscape architects, general contractors, horticulturists & financial donors, we are coordinating over 22 acres of landscape installation for the Gateway to Chattanooga project, featuring over 1,000 trees & 100 species of plants. Projects are designed for sustainability, beauty & ease of maintenance. Once installed, we partner with local businesses & municipalities to continue the beautification beyond interstates & roadways and onto locally owned properties.

Maintenance & Support

Once installed, each of our new greenway spaces will require regular maintenance & perpetual financial support. Our job at The Tennessee Interstate Conservancy is to ensure financial support is in place to keep our roadways beautiful — now & well into the future.

“...I believe that the project will serve both residents and visitors alike in terms of speedier travel, safer connections and unparalleled landscaping enhancements, all of which were shepherded along by the newly created Tennessee Interstate Conservancy. Furthermore, “TIC” as it is known, has been instrumental in guiding the development of the landscape plan, as well as, reaching out to other communities across the state with the message that a new day of landscaping has dawned and yes, you too, can follow our paradigm and be successful.””

— Gene Hyde | City Forester | City of Chattanooga

Our Team

W. Neil Thomas, III | President & Board Member

Jane Hampton Bowen | Executive Director & Board Member

City Councilwoman Carol Berz | Board Member

Gene Hyde | Board Member

Virginia Ann Sharber | Board Member

For Information & Media Inquiries

Contact Us