The Cradle of Southern Appalachia project is a conservation blueprint adopted by the Natural Treasures Alliance. It illustrates the unified effort among conservationists and developers to preserve the natural landscape of the tri-state region. The data model, built by our partners at UTC’s Interdisciplinary Geospatial Technology Lab, identifies areas of high-quality habitat that naturally enhance the air and water quality of the region.

Though the tri-state region is located in one of the most bio-diverse landscapes in the world, only 15% of the region is protected today. Using the best available data, Thrive’s stakeholders outlined a collaborative strategy to protect this landscape and the quality of life it promises for future generations.