What started as a simple search for a peaceful retreat turned into an extraordinary ecological discovery. When Mr. Owen purchased his land near Georgetown, TN, he was looking for a place to hunt, hike and escape city life. Little did he know he’d become the guardian of one of Tennessee’s rare prairie gems.

The property’s true identity emerged when FLC’s Director of Natural Resources, Shelby Lyn Sanders, spotted something remarkable during her first visit – prairie dock, a native perennial wildflower that’s a telltale sign of native grassland heritage. This wasn’t just any piece of land; it was a lost prairie awakening from decades of forest cover, less than a half mile from the historic Gunstocker Glade along Highway 58.

The timing was perfect. A 2022 clearcut had inadvertently liberated this sleeping prairie, allowing it to breathe and bloom for the first time in generations. By its second year, the land burst into life, revealing an astonishing diversity that had laid dormant for years. What became apparent was nothing short of spectacular: more than 140 native species, including some of Tennessee’s rarest treasures. The vulnerable (G3) Gattinger’s prairie clover made its home here, alongside the declining Red-headed Woodpecker and the increasingly rare American bumblebee. Each discovery reinforced what conservation experts have long suspected – these remnant prairies are vital sanctuaries for species fighting for survival in our modern landscape.

The prairie’s significance extends beyond its borders. Connected to Gunstocker Creek and within 10 miles of 1,300 acres of other lands protected by FLC, this property serves as a crucial link in a chain of conservation.

But perhaps the most powerful outcome isn’t just the protection of rare species – it’s the transformation of understanding. Mr. Owen’s journey from landowner to prairie steward demonstrates how connecting people with the hidden wonders of their land can spark a passion for conservation. FLC looks forward to expanding this success by preserving an additional 112 adjacent acres, further securing the future of this rediscovered prairie heritage.

This story reminds us that sometimes our greatest natural treasures aren’t found in distant wilderness – they’re right here in our backyard, waiting to be recognized and protected.

This article originally appeared as part of a larger story in the November/December 2025 issue of The Tennessee Conservationist magazine.