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Maclellan Island is an 24-acre hidden gem in the heart of downtown Chattanooga — a nature sanctuary sitting in the middle of the Tennessee River, just beneath Veterans Bridge. Over decades, however, invasive plants like bush honeysuckle, English ivy, and other aggressive vines began to take over, choking out native species, destabilizing soils, and reducing habitat value for wildlife.
Our vision for Maclellan Island is to restore its ecological integrity, increase native biodiversity, and make it a thriving stopover for birds, pollinators, and other wildlife — all while preserving this urban wilderness for future generations.
Since 2023, Chattanooga Audubon Society has undertaken an ambitious and evolving restoration plan designed to tackle invasive species and rebuild native communities. |
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Restoration Timeline
🌾 2023 – Facing the Challenge
In early 2023 and into 2024, volunteer crews and staff examined multiple strategies to combat invasive growth. Initial plans included a controlled burn aimed at reducing dense underbrush. While the effort provided valuable lessons, conditions didn’t allow the fire to effectively reduce invasive biomass.
🐐 2024 – Goats Join the Team
Because traditional methods hadn’t fully delivered results, CAS utilized an ecological grazing approach by bringing a team of goats to the island in the summer of 2024. These goats are natural browsers and are especially effective on woody and broad-leaf invasive plants, clearing paths where mechanical or chemical means cannot reach. tfpdev.wehco.com
🌱 2025 – Toward Native Rewilding
By late 2025, a coordinated rewilding rhythm had taken shape:
🔊 2026 – Marketing and Awareness
2026 has been a busy year on Maclellan Island. After spending the winter off the island, our goat herd returned in June to continue their important conservation work. Here are a few other exciting developments this year:
In early 2023 and into 2024, volunteer crews and staff examined multiple strategies to combat invasive growth. Initial plans included a controlled burn aimed at reducing dense underbrush. While the effort provided valuable lessons, conditions didn’t allow the fire to effectively reduce invasive biomass.
🐐 2024 – Goats Join the Team
Because traditional methods hadn’t fully delivered results, CAS utilized an ecological grazing approach by bringing a team of goats to the island in the summer of 2024. These goats are natural browsers and are especially effective on woody and broad-leaf invasive plants, clearing paths where mechanical or chemical means cannot reach. tfpdev.wehco.com
- Goats were transported by boat and housed on the island.
- They made measurable progress, clearing several acres of dense vegetation.
- A guardian dog stayed with the herd, and daily check-ins ensured animal welfare. WDEF
🌱 2025 – Toward Native Rewilding
By late 2025, a coordinated rewilding rhythm had taken shape:
- Goats return seasonally to manage invasive understory growth. WDEF
- CAS teams and volunteers work in invasive-cleared areas to plant native trees and shrubs such as sycamore, pawpaw, dogwood, and oak.
- Selective herbicide and manual cutting continue where needed to support native emergence.
🔊 2026 – Marketing and Awareness
2026 has been a busy year on Maclellan Island. After spending the winter off the island, our goat herd returned in June to continue their important conservation work. Here are a few other exciting developments this year:
- Maclellan Island Eco Tours launched! Through a partnership with the Chattanooga Riverboat Company, visitors can now experience the island on these guided tours.
- A dedicated goat caretaker volunteer program is now firmly in place.
- Maclellan Island is now part of the conversation of the National Park City movement.
- A 10-year invasive species removal initiative is officially underway.
- A partnership with the Chattanooga Botanical Garden is underway! More to come.
Restoration work has involved dozens of volunteers, local partners, and supporters. From paddling out to help clear vines, to joining planting days, to simply supporting through membership or donations, the Maclellan Island effort is truly a community endeavor.
Maclellan Island remains a work in progress. We’re committed to continuing restoration and believe that as the sanctuary’s health improves, so does its value: as habitat, learning space, and a nature refuge in the heart of the city.
Maclellan Island remains a work in progress. We’re committed to continuing restoration and believe that as the sanctuary’s health improves, so does its value: as habitat, learning space, and a nature refuge in the heart of the city.
Volunteer to check on the goats! After completing a training, folks can choose days to paddle out to Maclellan Island on their own watercraft or borrow one for an hour from our good friends at L2 Outside. Once on the island, we have a couple things we ask you to do. If you have questions or would like to attend one of our volunteer trainings click here.
We've created some "Goat Island" t-shirts to commemorate our 4-legged friends. Click the pictures below to shop.
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