About Us

Our Purpose

We grow Chattanooga’s national park legacy for the benefit of current + future generations.

National Park Partners is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to championing the conservation of the natural, historic, and cultural resources of Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, including Moccasin Bend National Archeological District. We engage current and future generations in preserving and promoting the stories of these national treasures.

Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park is the first (and largest) National Military Park in the country. The six National Park units (Chickamauga Battlefield; Lookout Mountain Battlefield; Missionary Ridge; Moccasin Bend National Archeological District; Orchard Knob; and Signal Point) commemorate vivid stories of conflict, change, reconciliation and reunion. These are places for remembrance, reflection and discovering more about what it means to be an American. 

As the park’s official philanthropic partner, we work side by side with the National Park Service to develop projects and programs that engage the community with the lands and stories that continue to shape our city, our region, and our nation.

The park belongs to everyone, and everyone belongs in the park. We work to support an inclusive park experience where all are welcome and inspired to respect the past, invest in the present, and preserve for the future.

  • For more than 60 years, hundreds of local citizens, including historians, archeologists, conservationists and election official, advocated for the protection of Moccasin Bend as an historically significant site. After all, nowhere else in our relatively young nation can 12,000 years of human history be so documented. Humans have always gravitated to places where valleys, rivers and mountains meet. And this is one reason why there are civilizations buried under Hampton Place, on the tip of Moccasin Bend, in the shadow of Lookout Mountain. After much public perseverance and input, I was honored to draft legislation…that the U.S. House approved, followed by the U.S. Senate. On February 20, 2003, the president of the United States signed the law permanently establishing the ‘Moccasin Bend Archeological District’– the only such district within the National Park System—as a new unit of the venerable Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park.”

    — Zach Wamp - 3rd District US Congressman, 1995-2011

  • “I love history, and Moccasin Bend represents the opportunity to explore 12,000 years of our past. I love my community, and Moccasin Bend represents something very exciting for us: a developing national park area that is highly accessible by local and regional school buses. The National Park Service’s interpretive rangers have already developed curriculum-based learning programs and are sharing them with teachers. And that’s only the beginning, because there are plans on the horizon for an archeological interpretive center in the park, special tours, living history events and more. Plus, Moccasin Bend is a developing national park area that is highly accessible to large numbers of underserved inner-city youth. I envision school break camps and summer camps, after-school programs, and youth work projects designed for young Chattanoogans who might not otherwise ever find themselves in a setting that can offer healing quiet and peace, and learning experiences under the wing the National Park Service: America’s most trusted agency for giving us authentic access to the land and what it has to teach.”

    — John Edwards, III - Publisher, Chattanooga News Chronicle

Our History

National Park Partners was born out of a desire to  do more for the incredible asset we have in our backyard—our Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park.

In 1986, Friends of the Park was established and immediately began helping the National Park Service prepare for the rapidly approaching 100th anniversary of the preservation of Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park. Following the success of those initial fundraising efforts, the Friends continued in their role as the Park's official philanthropic partner, leveraging support from residents, businesses, and visitors to generate the type of public-private partnership that is the hallmark of our Chattanooga area.

In 1995, Friends of Moccasin Bend was formed to advocate for the inclusion of 750 acres of historically and culturally significant land on Moccasin Bend into National Park Service protection. This goal was achieved in 2003, as the boundary of the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park was expanded and Moccasin Bend was named the country's first - and only - National Archeological District.  Friends of Moccasin Bend then turned its focus to supporting the National Park in the creation of a General Management Plan, adopted in 2017, to develop a world-class visitor experience at this newest Park unit.

Today, we have combined these two nonprofits to create National Park Partners. We are passionate about preserving the features of these unique park units, promoting events and learning opportunities, and enhancing the overall guest experience. 

Our Projects

From the Tennessee River to the fields of Chickamauga, NPP has a lot going on! Click below to learn more about our current campaigns.

Photo Galleries

Our Team

  • Tricia King Mims

    EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

    Email Tricia

    Tricia began her journey with National Park Partners in 2016, when she became executive director of the Friends of Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park. Soon after, she led the consolidation of FOCCNMP with the Friends of Moccasin Bend which created the new National Park Partners brand in 2018. Tricia came to NPP from a background steeped in land protection and non-profit management, serving most recently as development director for Lula Lake Land Trust where she oversaw more than three years of steady organizational growth. She opened the Southeast Region office for The Land Trust for Tennessee in 2007, leading the protection of nearly 10,000 acres in her role as project manager. Prior to beginning her conservation career, Tricia worked for the City of Chattanooga and Hamilton County as a grants and special projects manager for parks and greenways, economic development, and other local government initiatives. Tricia previously taught as adjunct faculty at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga in both Environmental Science and Political Science. She holds a M.S. in International Affairs from Georgia Tech, and a B.S. in Applied Economics from the College of Agriculture at Cornell University. She enjoys exploring the outdoors, practicing yoga, and building community, one conversation at a time.

  • Clay Aldridge

    OPERATIONS MANAGER

    Email Clay

    Clay Aldridge made Chattanooga his home over a decade ago after falling in love with the city’s unique proximity to beautiful natural places. Artist and nonprofit administration wizard, Clay holds a BFA in Media Arts from the University of Tennessee Chattanooga, and a Certificate in Financial Success for Nonprofits from Cornell University. An avid volunteer, Clay leads free urban birding workshops with the intention of connecting folks to the wildlife living all around them. He is committed to preserving our natural world, and connecting it with our communities through public engagement and artistic practice.

  • Jennifer Crutchfield

    COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT + EDUCATION COORDINATOR

    Email Jennifer

    Jennifer Crutchfield is a Chattanooga native, parent, writer, and community educator. Author of Chattanooga Landmarks, she is committed to connecting kids, community, and success in learning with Chattanooga history. Jennifer manages special projects for National Park Partners focused on educational outreach and community engagement.

Board of Directors

PRESIDENT

Dan Saieed

VICE PRESIDENT + NATIONAL TREASURES CO-CHAIR

Becky Browder

SECRETARY

Bernie Hilbrandt 

MARKETING + NATIONAL TREASURES CO-CHAIR

Lana Freeland

CAPITAL PROJECTS + LAND PROTECTION CHAIRS

Mack McCarley, Dr. Greg Grant

TREASURER

Blake Kinder

GOVERNANCE CHAIR

Ansley T. Moses

DIRECTORS

  • Montrell Besley

  • John Dever, Jr.

  • John Edwards, III

  • Erin Medley

  • Jay Mills

  • Steve O'Neil

  • Dr. Brooke Persons

  • Frank “Mickey” Robbins, III

  • Sally Robinson

  • Taft Sibley

  • Justin Smith

  • Cleata Townsend

  • Alexis Willis

  • James Wyatt, III

ADVISORY BOARD

  • Meg Beene

  • Jack Deaton

  • Sam Elliott

  • John Hilbrandt

  • Dr. Anthony Hodges

  • Jim Ingraham

  • Kay Parish

  • Kenny Sholl

  • Doug Swafford

  • Rob Taylor

  • The Hon. W. Neil Thomas, III

  • TN State Rep. Greg A. VItal

EMERITUS

  • Karen Diamond

  • Troy Wayne Poteete

  • The Hon. Zach Wamp

Partners

Where would we be without our incredible park partners! In these extraordinary and uncertain times we are keeping all of our partners in mind. Many of the small businesses who support our events throughout the year are struggling now.

If and when you can, we want to encourage everyone who loves Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park to reach out to these businesses that have supported National Park Partners.