TCWN is a 501(c)(3) not for profit corporation working on behalf of the environment, clean water and public health. DONATIONS to the organization are tax-deductible.
Our Mission…
TCWN empowers Tennesseans to exercise their right to clean water and healthy communities by fostering civic engagement, building partnerships and advancing, and when necessary enforcing, water policy for a sustainable future.
Our Goals…
To advocate for strong policies and programs that result in more effective protection of Tennessee waters.
To ensure meaningful and engaged public participation in the protection of our state’s waters.
To address community concerns about water quality and how it impacts health and quality of life and our natural resources.
Our Statement of Principles
Water is the common thread that ties all life together. Maintaining clean water protects the health of our families and provides numerous recreational opportunities while sustaining plants, animals, and aquatic life. Tennessee’s waters are among our most precious natural resources. Since these resources continue to be polluted by toxins and other pollutants from some industry, sewage plants, runoff, potential threats from outside TN watersheds and other sources, critical aquatic ecosystems will continue to be lost or degraded, and the health of our residents and our ecosystems remain threatened. TCWN will work to protect the water resources of Tennessee.
Scope of work
TCWN seeks to educate and build support among organizations, decision-makers, businesses and the public about important water resource issues. TCWN provides a vehicle for networking between organizations and individuals in order to answer tough questions, get advice and gather needed support to ensure the protection of Tennessee’s waters.
A Brief History
In 1998, citizen watershed groups from across Tennessee met to address clean water issues and discuss the future of the watershed movement in the state. These watershed representatives agreed that a statewide organization was needed that would provide leadership on critical clean water issues and also offer capacity building and technical assistance for effective watershed associations. While numerous organizations had been successful in protecting individual waterbodies or advocating for better clean water policies, the need was recognized for greater communication, networking, and coordination for stronger protection of our state’s waters. Based on these needs, TCWN was formed.