| Chattanooga Audubon Society Properties |
Audubon Acres
Verdant landscapes with touches of wilderness abound in three
sanctuaries owned and operated by the Chattanooga Audubon
Society, Inc. Chief among these is our Headquarters location at
Audubon Acres in East Brainerd. Also known as the Elise Chapin
Wildlife Sanctuary, this 130-acre flood plain to ridge top sanctuary is
located at the end of North Sanctuary Road. No pets are permitted
in the sanctuary.
Maclellan Island
In 1954, Robert J. Maclellan gave the 18.8 acres island to the
Chattanooga Audubon Society to be used as a wildlife sanctuary.
The Island is located in the middle of the Tennessee River in the
downtown area of Chattanooga. Veterans Bridge crosses over the
downstream third of the Island. Prior to 1954, the Island was
farmed. The vegetation on the Island is comprised of hardwood
trees, many species of vines, a colony of river cane, and some
wildflowers. A two-mile loop hiking trail follows the perimeter of the
Island. At the upstream end of the Island is a Great Blue Heron
rookery. A unique feature of the Island is the existence of a rain
shadow desert, the result of Veterans Bridge crossing the Island.
In 1954, Robert J. Maclellan gave the 18.8 acres island to the
Chattanooga Audubon Society to be used as a wildlife sanctuary.
The Island is located in the middle of the Tennessee River in the
downtown area of Chattanooga. Veterans Bridge crosses over the
downstream third of the Island. Prior to 1954, the Island was
farmed. The vegetation on the Island is comprised of hardwood
trees, many species of vines, a colony of river cane, and some
wildflowers. A two-mile loop hiking trail follows the perimeter of the
Island. At the upstream end of the Island is a Great Blue Heron
rookery. A unique feature of the Island is the existence of a rain
shadow desert, the result of Veterans Bridge crossing the Island.
Audubon Mountain
In 1982, David Gray, a longtime resident of north Hamilton County
and lover of nature and history, donated 460 acres to the
Chattanooga Audubon Society for a wildlife sanctuary. The
property, located approximately two miles northwest of Sale Creek,
Tennessee, originates atop Walden's Ridge (approximate
elevation 2,700 ft above msl), traverses a steep escarpment,
moves to the valley floor through a series of hills and small valleys,
and is dissected by several small spring fed streams. The property
was the location of several small subsistent farms in the late
1800's and early 1900’s. Old farm implements can be found in
some of the old field sites that are now undergoing secondary
succession.
Miles of hiking trails meander through stands of hemlock,
hardwoods, laurel, rhododendron, and wildflowers. An observation
platform atop Walden's Ridge provides spectacular views of the
sanctuary and of the valley below.
In 1982, David Gray, a longtime resident of north Hamilton County
and lover of nature and history, donated 460 acres to the
Chattanooga Audubon Society for a wildlife sanctuary. The
property, located approximately two miles northwest of Sale Creek,
Tennessee, originates atop Walden's Ridge (approximate
elevation 2,700 ft above msl), traverses a steep escarpment,
moves to the valley floor through a series of hills and small valleys,
and is dissected by several small spring fed streams. The property
was the location of several small subsistent farms in the late
1800's and early 1900’s. Old farm implements can be found in
some of the old field sites that are now undergoing secondary
succession.
Miles of hiking trails meander through stands of hemlock,
hardwoods, laurel, rhododendron, and wildflowers. An observation
platform atop Walden's Ridge provides spectacular views of the
sanctuary and of the valley below.
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