News

Tuesday, August 28, 2018

Celebrating Conservancy Volunteers on Aug. 21st

As a show of appreciation to our River Guides, Greenway Ambassadors, and many valued volunteers, the Conservancy held a Volunteer Appreciation Night on Tuesday, August 21.  Our sincere thanks goes out to Memphis Botanic Garden for hosting the event.  Learn more about Wolf River Conservancy’s many volunteer opportunities at  wolfriver.org/volunteer . Read More
Posted by Cathy Justis at Tuesday, August 28, 2018

Tuesday, August 28, 2018

Thanks to Our August Volunteers!

 Thank you to all of our volunteers during the month of August!   Fourth Saturday Service Project, Aug. 25th, Wolf River Greenway at Humphreys Blvd.    Buckman volunteers with Springdale Elementary students and staff, Aug. 24th Lausanne Collegiate School Interns, Aug. 21-24th     Urban Wolf River clean up, Aug. 24th:          Lucius Burch trailhead, privet removal and trash pickup, Aug.... Read More
Posted by Cathy Justis at Tuesday, August 28, 2018

Monday, August 27, 2018

Natural Highlights: Plain-bellied Watersnake

The Plain-bellied Water Snake ( Nerodia erythrogaster ) is the most ubiquitous water snake in our area, occurring along the Wolf River and also in streams, lakes, and ponds.  Wherever there is water, there is often a Plain-bellied Water Snake nearby.  This species is also called a yellow-bellied, red-bellied or copper-bellied water snake, or simply a yellowbelly, etc. There are six recognized subspecies and the color of the belly varies from red to yellow, but... Read More
Posted by Cathy Justis at Monday, August 27, 2018

Monday, July 30, 2018

Thanks to Our Epping Way Volunteers!

A huge THANK YOU to the volunteers who joined us on Saturday, July 28th, to install nest boxes for birds and two boxes for bats on the new section of the Wolf River Greenway at Epping Way!  Special thanks to bat expert Chris Grow who led the bat box installation project.  Chris had already presented a program on bats to crowd of 106 people on Monday, June 23rd, for our Summer Lecture Series at the Memphis Botanic Garden.  Special thanks also to the volunteers from... Read More
Posted by Cathy Justis at Monday, July 30, 2018

Monday, July 30, 2018

Family Fun on the Wolf River

A total of 80 people of all ages - 32 on July 2 and 48 on July 22 - have enjoyed our Sunday afternoon Family Fun Paddles on the urban Wolf River.  The combination of a relatively easy and centrally located river section and wonderful, helpful river guides led by Conservancy Outreach Director Jim Gafford make these paddle trips very popular!  Families paddle from the Germantown Pkwy boat access to the ramp at Walnut Grove, with stops along to way to swim and play.  On... Read More
Posted by Cathy Justis at Monday, July 30, 2018

Monday, July 30, 2018

Another Successful Project WET Workshop

  On July 24th, a group of 20 educators earned certificates and took home a copy of the Project WET Curriculum and Activity Guide 2.0 , after a day spent learning about water quality and the Wolf River, and sampling some of the activities included in the 592-page book - activities with titles such as "A Drop in a Bucket", "The Incredible Journey", and "Sum of Parts."  Thank you to our sponsors, Buckman and Crawford-Howard Private... Read More
Posted by Cathy Justis at Monday, July 30, 2018
Education

Sunday, July 29, 2018

Natural Highlights: Big Brown Bat

  Big Brown Bat The Big Brown Bat ( Eptesicus fuscus ) is larger than most of the other bat species in the Midsouth, but it is hardly intimidating, weighing in at 32-35 grams, or a little over an ounce.  According to bat expert, Chris Grow, the Big Brown is one of the species most likely to utilize a bat box here in the Memphis area, along with the Eastern Red Bat ( Lasiurus borealis ) . Our Midsouth bats eat only insects, and lots of them, hundreds every hour, using their... Read More
Posted by Cathy Justis at Sunday, July 29, 2018
Conservation Natural Highlights

Tuesday, June 26, 2018

New Conservancy Merchandise Available!

Red, White, and ... New !  New Wolf River Conservancy merchandise is available just in time for the July 4th holiday!  Visit wolfriver.org/store to see our new hats, books, t-shirts, and more!  We still have a few copies of The Living Landscape by Rick Darke and Doug Tallamy and Gardens of the High Line by Piet Oudolf and Rick Darke, each one signed by Rick Darke. Get them while they last!            Read More
Posted by Matt Winemiller at Tuesday, June 26, 2018
Featured Enews

Tuesday, June 26, 2018

Thanks to Hardworking Students and Volunteers!

Besides the big Wolf River Harbor Cleanup on June 16th, several other service projects took place this month.  We want to thank everyone who came out to lend on hand:  Soulsville Charter School students and teachers at the Lucius Burch trailhead on May 31st and June 1st, Rise Academy students and teachers and Nike employees at Epping Way on June 7th, and the volunteers who joined us for our Fourth Saturday Service Project in Collierville on June 23rd!  You're the... Read More
Posted by Cathy Justis at Tuesday, June 26, 2018

Tuesday, June 26, 2018

Harbor Cleanup Makes an Impact

     Eighty-three volunteers braved the heat to clean up trash from recent flooding at the Wolf River Harbor Cleanup on June 16th. Wolf River Conservancy River Guides and members of the Bluff City Canoe Club cleared debris out of the Wolf River Harbor using their canoes and kayaks, while land volunteers picked up litter from its surrounding banks with trash bags donated from our partner, Clean Memphis. A whopping total of 72 trash bags and 60 tires were collected... Read More
Posted by Cathy Justis at Tuesday, June 26, 2018
Featured Volunteer

Monday, June 25, 2018

Record Turnout for Cycle the Greenway

The Wolf River Conservancy would like to thank our cyclists, sponsors, volunteers and fundraisers for their participation in this year’s Cycle the Greenway event. With your support, we raised over $42,000 and had a record number of 175 cyclists this year! A special thank you to our presenting sponsor Orion Federal Credit Union, platinum sponsors Buckman and FedEx, gold sponsors Jim Keras Subaru and Whole Foods, and all of our other sponsors who graciously supported the... Read More
Posted by Kelsey Hamilton at Monday, June 25, 2018
Featured Enews

Sunday, June 24, 2018

Natural Highlights: Elderberry

            American Elderberry ( Sambucus canadensis ) is so common and assertive in these parts that many people consider it a weed and kill it without thinking.  In the right situation, however, and especially in a natural area, this spreading shrub provides multiple benefits both to humans and wildlife. The blackish berries are consumed by numerous birds and mammals. They are inedible and mildly toxic to people when raw, but can... Read More
Posted by Cathy Justis at Sunday, June 24, 2018
Natural Highlights

Tuesday, May 29, 2018

Conservancy Receives Conservation Organization of the Year Award

We want you to be among the first to learn that the Wolf River Conservancy has been named the Conservation Organization of the Year at the 53 rd Annual Conservation Achievement Awards in Nashville on May 18 th sponsored by the Tennessee Wildlife Federation. This is an important recognition for all of us – board members, donors, landowners, volunteers and staff. For over a half-century, the Tennessee Wildlife Federation, one of the largest and oldest nonprofits dedicated to... Read More
Posted by Cathy Justis at Tuesday, May 29, 2018
Featured

Tuesday, May 29, 2018

Recent Activities: Paddling, Projects, and a Frog Walk

Here's a look at some of our recent activities.  Thank you to all participants, volunteers, students and educators! Fourth Saturday Service Project, April 23rd, at new Wolf River Greenway at Epping Way.       Service Projects at Lucius Burch Trailhead    Grace St. Luke students, April 30th:   Griz Prep students, May 1st: Mother's Day Paddle Trip on the Urban Wolf River, May 13th:... Read More
Posted by Cathy Justis at Tuesday, May 29, 2018

Tuesday, May 29, 2018

Wolf River Harbor Cleanup Set for June 16th

Join the Wolf River Conservancy and Doxicom Global to complete an essential river cleanup of accumulated trash and litter, especially plastics! Doxicom Global is a waste stream management group, based in Jackson,TN, whose goal is to not only turn landfill waste to zero, but to remove 1,000,000 pounds of plastic from our waterways. To further their mission, Doxicom Global and its army of GreenGooroos (Doxicom staff and franchise partners) will unite with Wolf River... Read More
Posted by Cathy Justis at Tuesday, May 29, 2018
Volunteer

Sunday, May 27, 2018

Natural Highlights: American Wisteria

Visitors to the Ghost River section of the Wolf River in May will likely be treated to the sight of beautiful blooming American Wisteria vines growing along the riverbank. American Wisteria ( Wisteria frustecens ) has much to recommend it over the Japanese Wisteria ( Wisteria floribunda ) which is popular with many gardeners.  Both species have beautiful flowers, but Japanese Wisteria is a serious pest plant when it escapes cultivation and... Read More
Posted by Cathy Justis at Sunday, May 27, 2018
Natural Highlights

Thursday, May 10, 2018

April 2018 Enewsletter

April 2018 ENEWSLETTER About Us Events & Activities Conservation Education Greenway Get Involved ... Read More
Posted by Cathy Justis at Thursday, May 10, 2018
Enews

Tuesday, April 24, 2018

Thank You, Whole Foods!

      Thank you to Whole Foods Germantown for choosing the Wolf River Conservancy as the recipients of the Whole Foods 5% Day on Thursday, April 19th!  The Conservancy will receive 5% of profits from purchases made that day at the Germantown store.  Whole Foods also let us set up a display, and, with a little help from a kayak, a tabletop slideshow, maps and wildlife artifacts, Conservancy staff and volunteer river guides engaged customers... Read More
Posted by Cathy Justis at Tuesday, April 24, 2018

Tuesday, April 24, 2018

Service Projects: Thanks to Students and Volunteers!

The Wolf River Conservancy provides opportunities for volunteers and students to participate in hands-on conservation, restoring and improving habitat in a variety of ways.  We wish to thank everyone who came out to lend a hand on the following recent service projects! March 24, Fourth Saturday Service Project at the Mud Island Greenway: Trash removal April 13, Buckman Volunteers at Springdale Elementary:  planting, weeding and mulching, painting raised beds. ... Read More
Posted by Cathy Justis at Tuesday, April 24, 2018

Tuesday, April 24, 2018

Natural Highlights: Northern Parula

The Northern Parula (Setophaga americana) is one of many neotropical migrants moving through the Midsouth area every spring.  Along with the Prothonotary, Yellow-throated, and Black-throated Green Warbers and many other bird species, the Northern Parula has a fondness for the bottomland hardwood forests along the Wolf River, and it does nest here, though it prefers to nest in hanging spanish or beard moss.  As is typical of the wood warblers, this bright little... Read More
Posted by Cathy Justis at Tuesday, April 24, 2018
Natural Highlights

Monday, April 23, 2018

Good Luck to Conservancy Intern, Bailey Choudhury!

Bailey Choudhury has been interning with the Conservancy since January.  We wish her lots of luck on her next adventure in Vermont.  Many thanks, Bailey!  Read more from Bailey below: "Hi there! I’m Bailey, a senior environmental science major at Rhodes College and the current intern at the Conservancy. I have been working with the Conservancy since January, primarily in land stewardship activities. However, as the only intern in the office, I float between a... Read More
Posted by Cathy Justis at Monday, April 23, 2018

Wednesday, April 4, 2018

March 2018 ENewsletter

March 2018 ENEWSLETTER About Us Events & Activities Conservation Education Greenway Get Involved ... Read More
Posted by Cathy Justis at Wednesday, April 4, 2018

Monday, March 26, 2018

Volunteers Turn Out for Annual Tree Planting on Mar. 11th

     Presented by FedEx and International Paper, the Wolf River Conservancy’s 13 th Annual Tree Planting was yet another successful event!  Despite multiple postponements due to rain, and cool, moist, windy conditions on Mar. 11th, 250 volunteers planted and potted over 4,000 tree seedlings.  Twelve native tree species were selected to beautify and reforest key areas in the Wolf River watershed.  The potted trees will be nurtured until they can... Read More
Posted by Cathy Justis at Monday, March 26, 2018
Volunteer

Monday, March 26, 2018

World Water Day Celebration at Memphis Made

The Wolf River Conservancy and Memphis Made Brewing joined forces to recognize World Water Day on Thursday, March 22nd at their taproom. The team at Memphis Made graciously donated all beer sales and tips that day and raised over $2,600 for the Conservancy in celebration of World Water Day! Several community partners were on hand to share more about their important work and how we can create a more sustainable Mid-South. World Water Day is about taking action to tackle the water... Read More
Posted by Cathy Justis at Monday, March 26, 2018
Enews Special Events

Monday, March 26, 2018

Natural Highlights: Eastern Swamp Privet

  Swamp Privet Flowers If you take an early spring walk along the new segment of the Wolf River Greenway on the north end of Mud Island, you'll see something yellow blooming in the otherwise grey and swampy woods. Chances are, you'll be looking at Swamp Privet ( Forestiera acuminatum ), an obligate wetland plant at home in our riverine bottomlands.  Once the leaves come in, it resembles the exotic invasive Chinese Privet ( Ligustrum sinense ), but, though... Read More
Posted by Cathy Justis at Monday, March 26, 2018
Natural Highlights

Monday, February 26, 2018

Rick Darke Launches Lecture Series on June 25th

  Rick Darke will launch our 2018 Summer Lecture Series with a program entitled "The Essential Layers of Living Landscapes" at 6:30pm on Monday, June 25th, at Memphis Botanic Garden. Rick Darke heads RICK DARKE LLC, a Pennsylvania-based consulting firm focused on the design and management of living landscapes.  Darke's work  is grounded in an observational ethic  that blends  art, ecology, and cultural geography. Projects inc lude... Read More
Posted by Cathy Justis at Monday, February 26, 2018

Monday, February 26, 2018

Thanks to WRC Intern Thornton Brooksbank

Meet recent Wolf River Conservancy intern Thornton Brooksbank: My name is Thornton Brooksbank. I attended Memphis University School before moving on to pursue a Bachelor of Science at the University of Auckland in New Zealand. While there I majored in Earth Sciences and Environmental Science. I have always had a great passion for understanding the natural world around us and how it came to be. I find geology in particular to be a subject of constant fascination and opportunity to find... Read More
Posted by Cathy Justis at Monday, February 26, 2018

Monday, February 26, 2018

Inaugural Wolf River 5K A Big Success

Over 700 runners participated in the inaugural Wolf River 5K by Start2Finish Event Management on Saturday, January 20th. The Wolf River Conservancy was the beneficiary of the 5K, which was part of the Run the 901 Race Series, a training program for the Germantown Half Marathon. Participants were able to run on the Wolf River Greenway experiencing the #wonderofthewolf firsthand. Thank you to Start2Finish Event Management for their support of the Wolf River Conservancy! We look... Read More
Posted by Kelsey Hamilton at Monday, February 26, 2018
Special Events Greenway Recreation

Monday, February 26, 2018

Natural Highlights: Swamp Chestnut Oak

The Swamp Chestnut Oak ( Quercus michauxii ) is one of several native tree species we'll be planting at our annual treeplanting event on Mar. 10th. Though it can be hard to find at plant nurseries, but the Swamp Chestnut Oak is worth the search because it grows into a majestic, beautiful tree with good fall color.  Also called the "cow oak" because livestock found the large acorns very tasty in days past, and the "basket oak"... Read More
Posted by Cathy Justis at Monday, February 26, 2018

Wednesday, February 14, 2018

January 2018 ENewsletter

January 2018 ENEWSLETTER About Us Events & Activities Conservation Education Greenway Get Involved ... Read More
Posted by Cathy Justis at Wednesday, February 14, 2018
Enews

Wednesday, February 14, 2018

Join Us! The 13th Annual WRC Tree Planting, March 10th

Please join us from 10am to 1pm on Saturday, March 10th, for the 13th Annual Wolf River Conservancy Tree Planting, our largest volunteer event of the year!  We'll be potting and planting 4500 native trees to help protect and restore our watershed.  For more details, and to register for the event, please follow this link.                                         ... Read More
Posted by Cathy Justis at Wednesday, February 14, 2018

Monday, January 29, 2018

Remembering Esther Klyce West Pearson

IN MEMORIUM – Esther Klyce Pearson Earlier this month, the Wolf River Conservancy lost a dear friend – Esther Klyce Pearson.   A philanthropist and business and community leader, Esther was a visionary in the establishment of the Wolf River Conservancy and its mission in the early 1980’s.  In addition to being one of the Conservancy’s founders and officers, Eleanor documented the organization’s founding principles and vision and kept... Read More
Posted by Cathy Justis at Monday, January 29, 2018
Volunteer

Sunday, January 28, 2018

Buckman Braves the Cold on MLK Day of Service

On the morning of Martin Luther King Day, Jan. 15th, a big group of volunteers from Buckman refused to be outdone by the cold and the snow on the ground. A total of 54 people (34 adults,19 children, and one Wolf River Conservancy staff member) pitched in to improve the outdoor classroom area at Springdale Elementary.  They removed and replaced all the dirt in the raised beds in order to make some repairs, cut back dead plants, created a small compost bin, erected birdfeeders and a... Read More
Posted by Cathy Justis at Sunday, January 28, 2018

Sunday, January 28, 2018

Remembering Jim Strickland

        The Wolf River Conservancy would like to acknowledge the passing of a member of our River Guide Program, Jim Strickland.  Jim first joined the guides in 2015 and immediately became an active member of the group, participating in numerous membership paddles on the Wolf River, assisting during the Cooper Young Festival and Outdoors, Inc. Canoe and Kayak Race events and instructing his fellow guides with CPR and AED classes.  He brought to the... Read More
Posted by Cathy Justis at Sunday, January 28, 2018
Volunteer

Monday, January 22, 2018

Natural Highlights: Ruby-crowned Kinglet

        The Ruby-crowned Kinglet is a fast-moving tiny bird, common in our area in the winter and during migration, which can be identified by its small size and its brisk, fluttery behavior, as well as a white eye ring and single white wing bar on an otherwise gray and olive green bird.  A miniscule, plain bird flicking its wings constantly and moving quickly through the shrubs and... Read More
Posted by Cathy Justis at Monday, January 22, 2018
Natural Highlights

Wednesday, January 3, 2018

December 2017 Enewsletter

December 2017 ENEWSLETTER About Us Events & Activities Conservation Education Greenway Get Involved ... Read More
Posted by Cathy Justis at Wednesday, January 3, 2018

Wednesday, December 20, 2017

A Stroll Along the Greenway Arboretum

15 people joined WRC Director of Outreach, Jim Gafford, for an easy stroll along the Wolf River Greenway Arboretum trail on Sat., Dec. 10th. The interactive, educational walk included Conservancy staff and members, volunteers for the WRC Ambassador and River Guide programs, and members of the general public.  The group spent just under two hours enjoying the beautiful December afternoon and discussing the natural features of this section of the Greenway,... Read More
Posted by Cathy Justis at Wednesday, December 20, 2017

Thursday, December 7, 2017

Natural Highlights: The Benefits of Leaf Litter

    The leaves carpeting the floors of our forests are an integral part of the ecosystem, returning nutrients to the soil through the action of a multitude of microbes and invertebrates, retaining rainwater, slowing runoff, protecting soil and roots from erosion and temperature extremes.  Leaf litter is also crucial habitat for lots of small creatures.  Huge numbers of butterfly and moth species, for example, overwinter in leaf litter as eggs, caterpillars, pupae, or... Read More
Posted by Cathy Justis at Thursday, December 7, 2017

Thursday, December 7, 2017

Give to the "Sustaining the Wolf" Campaign!

At our Greenway Soirée on Nov. 11th, we launched the Sustaining the Wolf campaign to ensure that our mission of protecting and preserving the Wolf River continues today and into the future . Now, through a generous challenge grant from a Friend of the Wolf River Conservancy, all unrestricted gifts will be matched – dollar for dollar – up to $150,000 through December 31st.  Would you please consider making  a year-end gift that would be... Read More
Posted by Cathy Justis at Thursday, December 7, 2017

Wednesday, December 6, 2017

November 2017 Enewsletter

November 2017 ENEWSLETTER About Us Events & Activities Conservation Education Greenway Get Involved ... Read More
Posted by Cathy Justis at Wednesday, December 6, 2017
Enews

Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Give a Gift of Stock and Help "Sustain the Wolf"

Through careful planning, a year-end gift can allow you to do more for causes you care about than you may have thought possible—and provide you with tax benefits. As you review your 2017 philanthropic donations, we hope you will consider making a gift to the Wolf River Conservancy.  Gifting appreciated stock is one of the most effective means of tax savings available.  Benefits include: The satisfaction of knowing your money is helping a cause important to you. You... Read More
Posted by Cathy Justis at Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Greenway Soirée - A Night to Remember

The Greenway Soirée was a magical and successful evening for the Conservancy with great silent and live auction items, a delicious dinner from Paradox Catering & Consulting, entertainment from the Earnestine & Hazel's Band, and most importantly, a record-breaking $125,000+ raised to support our mission to protect the Wolf River and its watershed. The event was a sell-out with over 300 guests and supporters in attendance to  Celebrate the Wolf . A special... Read More
Posted by Kelsey Hamilton at Wednesday, November 29, 2017
Special Events

Tuesday, November 28, 2017

Natural Highlights: Fall Ladybugs

  Asian Ladybugs: Look for the "M" behind the head.   Nine-spotted Ladybug, a rare native species. Ladybugs are perennial insect favorites - colorful, easily recognized, seen as beneficial in the garden and as emblems of good luck.  Also called lady beetles, ladybirds, and ladybird beetles, ladybugs number some 6,000 species worldwide, all members of the family Coccinellidae.  Most of them are predators on other... Read More
Posted by Cathy Justis at Tuesday, November 28, 2017
Natural Highlights

Wednesday, November 8, 2017

October 2017 Enewsletter

October 2017 ENEWSLETTER About Us Events & Activities Conservation Education Greenway Get Involved ... Read More
Posted by Cathy Justis at Wednesday, November 8, 2017
Enews

Monday, October 30, 2017

Rhodes College Students Return to Lovitt Woods to Clear Privet

    On Oct. 4 and 5, Rhodes College environmental science students, led by Dr. Graham Tuttle, returned to Lovitt Woods with Conservancy staff to clear a large area of invasive privet, having seen for themselves the negative effects of privet on biodiversity.  Back in Sept., the same students had conducted a plot study to determine whether or not the diversity of small woody plants was greater in privet-free areas than in areas covered in privet.  They found a clear... Read More
Posted by Cathy Justis at Monday, October 30, 2017

Sunday, October 29, 2017

Celebrating Downtown Greenway Grand Opening

The North Mud Island section of the Wolf River Greenway formally opened to the public on Saturday, Oct. 21, marking a transformation from a former dumping ground to a 1.2-mile paved trail in a park-like setting at the Wolf River’s confluence with the Mississippi River. The celebration was complete with a ceremonial ribbon cutting, music, free yoga and fitness classes, Jimmy Ogle walking tours, Community Partner booths, food trucks, kids games and more. Some 700 bikers,... Read More
Posted by Cathy Justis at Sunday, October 29, 2017

Friday, October 27, 2017

Natural Highlights: Spiny Orb Weaver

    Spiny Orb Weaver Spider ( Gasteracantha cancriformis ) Walk through the woods in early fall around here and you're likely to see - or run into - numerous spider webs stretched across the trail and between the trees.  Most of these are constructed by the orb weaver spiders (Family Araneidae), perhaps our most familiar group of spiders, well-known by people of all ages for their intricate and beautiful wheel-shaped webs.  The famous... Read More
Posted by Cathy Justis at Friday, October 27, 2017

Thursday, October 26, 2017

Fall 2017 Currents

Please download our Fall 2017 issue of Currents here (PDF file). Read More
Posted by Cathy Justis at Thursday, October 26, 2017

Monday, October 16, 2017

September 2017 Enewsletter

September 2017 ENEWSLETTER About Us Events & Activities Conservation Education Greenway Get Involved ... Read More
Posted by Cathy Justis at Monday, October 16, 2017

Monday, September 25, 2017

Grace Kasper, Our Youngest Donor!

   Grace Kasper Let me introduce you to Grace Kasper, one of our newest donors, certainly our youngest, and among the most generous and unselfish supporters we have had the pleasure to meet in quite a while! You see, Grace is 7 years old and in the first grade at St. Mary’s Episcopal School, and she recently celebrated her birthday.  For her birthday party this year, Grace decided that, instead of store-bought presents, she would ask her friends to bring donations... Read More
Posted by Cathy Justis at Monday, September 25, 2017