“A Healthy and Connected Landscape”: A Strategic Vision for The Cumberland Forest and Its Community Fund

Abstract

The Nature Conservancy’s Cumberland Forest project and Community Fund grant program demonstrate that large-scale conservation can simultaneously benefit nature, investors, and local populations. Beyond sustainable forest management, success depends upon the strategic application of best practices in outdoor recreation economics and community development. This research identifies key operational challenges and opportunities through stakeholder interviews with team members and community partners. A synthesis of regional strategic plans and current literature on community development and outdoor recreation economies is then applied to generate a set of actionable recommendations. These are designed to optimize grant program operations, secure diversified funding for the Community Fund, and structure a future Cumberland Forest sale for the benefit of communities within and around the Forest.