Tenn. Code Ann. § 11-14-403

The director of the wildlife resources agency, with the approval of the state building commission, may identify appropriate private, nonprofit corporations to assist with acquisition of wetlands and bottomland hardwood forests on behalf of the state. The director is authorized, with the approval of the state building commission, to enter into agreements with such corporations to permit the corporations to purchase surveys, appraisals, title work, and other services required for the acquisition of interest in wetlands and bottomland hardwood forests; provided, that contractors selected by the corporations for the purposes must be properly licensed in Tennessee for these purposes. The director is further authorized, with the approval of the state building commission, to accept such surveys, appraisals, title work, and services on behalf of the state, and to enter into agreements with such corporations to acquire options and to preacquire on behalf of the state interests in wetlands and bottomland hardwood forests. The director may, through such agreements, commit the state to reimburse the corporations for their costs of acquisition and for their costs of capital. The state building commission shall establish a form for such agreements.