Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee Honored with State Environmental Award for Sustainability

The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee has been awarded the 2025 Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Award for Sustainable Performance, recognizing its outstanding leadership in environmental conservation and sustainability. The award, presented by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, is one of nine honors given this year across various categories.

Already renowned as a world-class refuge for captive elephants, the sanctuary has broadened its impact by embracing cutting-edge sustainable practices. Located in the hills of Hohenwald, the sanctuary has become a model for environmental responsibility in animal care.

Among its key achievements, the sanctuary diverted more than 98% of its waste from landfills in 2023 and 2024 through a comprehensive composting program that processes over 854,000 pounds of organic material annually. This initiative not only eliminates the need for chemical fertilizers but also supports land restoration efforts. In addition, more than 134,000 pounds of recyclables were recovered in 2024, including hard-to-recycle materials through a partnership with TerraCycle.

The sanctuary has also invested in renewable energy, with solar arrays now generating 25% of its annual electricity needs. These systems, spread across four facilities and backed by battery storage, have helped reduce both carbon emissions and energy costs.

Efforts to conserve water have been equally ambitious. Over 90% of the sanctuary’s water usage now comes from harvested rainwater, stored in cisterns holding more than 40,000 gallons. Stormwater runoff is carefully managed to protect surrounding ecosystems through sustainable landscaping and filtration systems.

Beyond the sanctuary grounds, sustainability education is a key focus. At the Elephant Discovery Center, the public can explore topics such as climate action, renewable energy, and biodiversity.

The Elephant Sanctuary’s recognition underscores how environmental stewardship and animal care can go hand in hand, setting a powerful example for other organizations across the state and beyond.