News

Monday, June 5, 2017

Currents (Fall/Winter 2016)

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Posted by Cathy Justis at Monday, June 5, 2017 | 0 comments

Monday, June 5, 2017

Read Currents, Our Biannual Newsletter

Currents (Spring/Summer 2017) Currents (Fall/Winter 2016) Read More
Posted by Cathy Justis at Monday, June 5, 2017 | 0 comments

Friday, June 2, 2017

Currents (Spring/Summer 2017)

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Posted by Cathy Justis at Friday, June 2, 2017 | 0 comments
Featured Featured

Friday, June 2, 2017

May 2017 Enewsletter

May 2017 ENEWSLETTER About Us Events & Activities Conservation Education Greenway Get Involved ... Read More
Posted by Cathy Justis at Friday, June 2, 2017 | 0 comments
Featured Featured

Tuesday, May 30, 2017

May Service Project Recap: Thank You Students and Volunteers!

Many thanks to the following groups for their contribution to our mission during the month of May! May 5th, Grace St. Luke's 6th Graders and Teachers, at Lucius Burch Trailhead in Shelby Farms Park; clearing privet and maintaining pollinator beds.       May 5th, Girl Scouts, at Lucius Burch Trailhead in Shelby Farms Park; planting young trees in area newly cleared of privet, and visiting the river.       May 10th, Kirby High... Read More
Posted by Cathy Justis at Tuesday, May 30, 2017 | 0 comments

Tuesday, May 30, 2017

2017 IP EcoChallenge Trips Bring Smiles to Students

     Two small groups of students from Winridge Elementary and Soulsville Charter Schools boarded buses on May 16th (Winridge) and 17th (SCS) for an exciting IP=sponsored trip out to Fayette County and the wildlands of the Wolf River.  First stop was the William B. Clark Preserve in Rossville for a walk on the boardwalk and a look at a real bottomland hardwood swamp.  From there the students traveled on the Bateman Bridge to board the shuttle which took them... Read More
Posted by Cathy Justis at Tuesday, May 30, 2017 | 0 comments

Friday, May 26, 2017

Natural Highlights: Lizard Tail

  Lizard Tail Lizard Tail is a common and abundant wetland plant that is blooming right now in the bottomlands along the Wolf River.  Those frequenting W.C.Johnson Park in Collierville can see several large colonies along the boardwalk there, as can visitors to the Kennedy Park wetland trail in Memphis and the Mineral Slough boardwalk in LaGrange, in addition to many other locations. Saururus cernuus , also called Lizard’s Tail or Water Dragon, is an... Read More
Posted by Cathy Justis at Friday, May 26, 2017 | 0 comments
Natural Highlights

Thursday, May 11, 2017

April 2017 Enewsletter

April 2017 ENEWSLETTER About Us Events & Activities Conservation Education Greenway Get Involved ... Read More
Posted by Cathy Justis at Thursday, May 11, 2017 | 0 comments

Wednesday, April 26, 2017

2017 Summer Lecture Series Begins June 19th

Here's who will be speaking at our Summer Lecture Series at the Memphis Botanic Garden: June 19 - Jack Kenner, Photographing Nature in Your Backyard and Beyond. July 10 - Dr. Dwayne Estes, Our Native Grasslands August 7 - Heather Holm, Native Bees September 11 - Dr. Jason Hoeksema, Wild Mushrooms Lectures are held at Memphis Botanic Garden at 6:30pm and are free to members of Wolf River Conservancy and Memphis Botanic Garden.  $4 admission for non-members helps... Read More
Posted by Cathy Justis at Wednesday, April 26, 2017 | 0 comments

Wednesday, April 26, 2017

Thanks to Earth Day Volunteers at Dogwood Elementary!

     Dogwood Elementary School has a new garden in the Tennessee-shaped bed in front of the school - thanks to some wonderful volunteers who refused to let the rainy weather stop them on April 22nd.  The volunteers removed weeds in preparation for new plants, and then planted a selection of Tennessee native perennial plants which will attract butterflies, bees, birds and other wildlife. The plants included coneflower, coral honeysuckle, smooth aster, blazing star,... Read More
Posted by Cathy Justis at Wednesday, April 26, 2017 | 0 comments

Wednesday, April 26, 2017

100 FedEx Volunteers Improve Outdoor Classrooms at Kingsbury Schools

      On the morning of April 10 th , purple shirts swarmed the courtyard at Kingsbury High School and the playground at Kingsbury Elementary School as 100 FedEx volunteers spent their morning helping the schools improve their outdoor classrooms. WRC Education Director Cathy Justis has been working with both schools for a long time as part of the Five Star Restoration Program funded by FedEx through the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation.   Volunteers... Read More
Posted by Cathy Justis at Wednesday, April 26, 2017 | 0 comments

Wednesday, April 26, 2017

TDEC and WRC Hold Dedication Ceremony for Elder Tract

      A small crowd gathered in the LaGrange town square on Wed., April 26th, to dedicate the newly acquired Elder tract as part of the Ghost River State Natural Area       Read More
Posted by Cathy Justis at Wednesday, April 26, 2017 | 0 comments

Monday, April 24, 2017

Natural Highlights: Ghost River Bird Songs

Perhaps you're planning to join the early morning Spring Birding Paddle Trip this Saturday, or you would simply like to identify some of the birds you might hear the next time you paddle the Wolf.  Here are 10 bird species frequently heard along the Ghost River section of the Wolf River. If you're lucky, you'll get a glimpse of these beauties in the foliage, too! Cornell Lab's All About Birds website and the Macaulay Library are both great resources... Read More
Posted by Cathy Justis at Monday, April 24, 2017 | 0 comments

Tuesday, March 28, 2017

March 2017 Enewsletter

March 2017 ENEWSLETTER About Us Events & Activities Conservation Education Greenway Get Involved ... Read More
Posted by Cathy Justis at Tuesday, March 28, 2017 | 0 comments
Enews

Friday, March 24, 2017

Drink A Beer, Save A River Series Kicks Off with Memphis Green Drinks

Thank you to all who joined us for our first Drink A Beer, Save A River series at the Ghost River Tap Room on Wednesday, March 22nd from 5-8 pm! We had a great turnout, and we were excited to announce our collaboration with the Memphis Green Drinks moving forward. The event was held on World Water Day, and we had the unique opportunity to celebrate the great work of many local organizations who are committed to sustainable practices in our community that evening. Thank you to the Center of... Read More
Posted by Kelsey Hamilton at Friday, March 24, 2017 | 0 comments
Featured Enews Special Events

Friday, March 24, 2017

Registration & Fundraising Open for Cycle the Greenway

Presented by Orion Federal Credit Union Saturday, June 3, 2017 7600 Wolf River Blvd. Registration: $40   Register Today!   When you register for Cycle the Greenway, you have the opportunity to fundraise and earn incentives along the way!   Greenway All-Star:   Raise $100 (includes registration fee)   Cycle the Greenway Technical T-shirt   Goody... Read More
Posted by Kelsey Hamilton at Friday, March 24, 2017 | 0 comments
Enews Special Events

Wednesday, March 22, 2017

Natural Highlights: Alligator Snapping Turtle

   Common vs. Alligator Snapping Turtle One of the many fascinating species living in the Wolf River is the Alligator Snapping Turtle ( Macrochelys temminckii ), America's largest freshwater turtle.  These turtles are rarely seen on the Wolf because they are almost entirely aquatic bottom-dwellers, hanging out under root masses and in debris in the deeper parts of the river and wetlands in the watershed. Females do exit the water to lay eggs in surrounding... Read More
Posted by Cathy Justis at Wednesday, March 22, 2017 | 0 comments

Tuesday, March 14, 2017

February 2017 Enewsletter

February 2017 ENEWSLETTER About Us Events & Activities Conservation Education Greenway Get Involved ... Read More
Posted by Cathy Justis at Tuesday, March 14, 2017 | 0 comments
Enews

Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Share the Love: We Salute Jim Keras Subaru

The Wolf River Conservancy was the local recipient of Jim Keras Subaru's  Share the Love Campaign , a national fundraiser for all Subaru dealerships each holiday season. Jim Keras Subaru promoted the Wolf River Conservancy at their dealership during November and December of this past year, and raised over $30,000 for the Conservancy! We are grateful for the employees and staff at Jim Keras Subaru for promoting the Conservancy and for all who supported this campaign.  Thank... Read More
Posted by Kelsey Hamilton at Tuesday, February 28, 2017 | 0 comments
Featured

Monday, February 27, 2017

Record Attendance for the Wolf River Conservancy Tree Planting

Over 500 volunteers joined the Wolf River Conservancy at the 12th Annual Tree Planting on Saturday, February 25th at Shelby Farms Park. Volunteers planted a total of 544 native trees, including 400 dogwoods along the Walnut Grove section of Shelby Farms Park, and a variety of other trees nearby.   A small group of hardy volunteers also took on the difficult task of removing Bradford pear trees, an exotic invasive species. Thank you to our presenting... Read More
Posted by Kelsey Hamilton at Monday, February 27, 2017 | 0 comments

Monday, February 27, 2017

Natural Highlights: Chickasaw Plum

                On Feb. 25th at Shelby Farms Park, volunteers planted 500 native trees of the following species:  Flowering Dogwood ( Cornus florida ), Southern Magnolia ( Magnolia grandiflora ), American Holly ( Ilex opaca ), Common Persimmon ( Diospyros virginiana ), Tulip Poplar ( Liriodendron tulipifera ), Parsley Hawthorn (Crataegus marshallii), and Chickasaw plum ( Prunus angustifolia ). We highlight the Chickasaw Plum ... Read More
Posted by Cathy Justis at Monday, February 27, 2017 | 0 comments

Tuesday, January 31, 2017

January 2017 Enewsletter

January 2017 ENEWSLETTER About Us Events & Activities Conservation Education Greenway Get Involved ... Read More
Posted by Cathy Justis at Tuesday, January 31, 2017 | 0 comments
Enews

Monday, January 30, 2017

Sell-Out Crowd at Source to Sea Film

The Memphis premier showing of the documentary “ Dale Sanders: Source to the Sea ”  at the Brooks Museum on Saturday, January 14 th was a tremendous success with a capacity crowd of 250 people.  The theater was filled and tickets were sold out; our apologies to those folks unable to purchase tickets at the door. Viewers enjoyed the documentary which followed our very own Dale Sanders on his journey from the source of the Mississippi River in... Read More
Posted by Cathy Justis at Monday, January 30, 2017 | 0 comments
Paddling Special Events

Monday, January 30, 2017

Volunteers Step Up in January

  Andrew and Mallory Halliburton 40 volunteers including Buffalo Soldiers, MPD officers, and staff from the Shelby County District Attorney General's office, worked at Kennedy Park on the Martin Luther King Day of Service on Jan.16th.   Thanks again to Wayne Roberts for his continued assistance in leading our Kennedy Park projects! Andrew and Mallory Halliburton - a father-daughter team -  enthusiastically cleared privet at the Lucius Burch trailhead on... Read More
Posted by Cathy Justis at Monday, January 30, 2017 | 0 comments
Conservation Volunteer

Monday, January 23, 2017

Natural Highlights: Groundhogs

The groundhog ( Marmota monax ), also called woodchuck or whistle pig, is one of 14 species of marmots, and the only one that occurs in the Mid-South.  The other North American marmots are confined to nothern and western alpine or open forest regions.  All marmots are burrowing, herbivorous rodents in the squirrel family (Sciuridae) which enter true hibernation in the late fall and emerge in late winter or very early spring.  Our customary Groundhog Day on... Read More
Posted by Cathy Justis at Monday, January 23, 2017 | 0 comments
Natural Highlights

Tuesday, January 3, 2017

December 2016 Enewsletter

December 2016 ENEWSLETTER About Us Events & Activities Conservation Education Greenway Get Involved ... Read More
Posted by Cathy Justis at Tuesday, January 3, 2017 | 0 comments
Enews

Tuesday, December 20, 2016

Hands-On Conservation with Citizens of All Ages

     Many thanks to the Webelos from Scout Troop 457, the Cordova Elementary School Robotics Club, the environmental science students and staff from Raleigh Egypt High School, and other adult volunteers who joined us in service projects during the first two weeks of December!    On Saturday morning, Dec. 10th,  several Webelos and their parents (Troop 457), and volunteers Natasha and Marcus Mayton attacked the privet near the trail... Read More
Posted by Cathy Justis at Tuesday, December 20, 2016 | 0 comments
Conservation Education

Monday, December 19, 2016

43 Acre North Fork Property Protected

North Fork Beauty While the Wolf River is well-known to Mid-South residents, many are unfamiliar with its largest tributary – the North Fork Wolf River or North Fork for short.  Moscow, TN, refers to itself as the “City Between Two Rivers”  because it is located at the convergence of the North Fork with the larger Wolf River. Covering more than 80,000 acres, the North Fork sub-watershed is a substantial feature within the larger Wolf River... Read More
Posted by Cathy Justis at Monday, December 19, 2016 | 0 comments
Conservation

Sunday, December 18, 2016

Sustaining the Wolf Challenge Grant: Triple Your Impact

Sustain the Wolf Challenge Grant Ends December 31st Give to the Wolf This Holiday Season   We have surpassed $55,000 towards our Sustaining the Wolf Challenge Grant. That means less than $20,000 to go to receive our full match! All new or increased gifts will be matched, dollar for dollar, thanks to our friends at the Hyde Family Foundations.  And now, all gifts will be TRIPLED through the generosity of Ring Container Technologies. Just... Read More
Posted by Kelsey Hamilton at Sunday, December 18, 2016 | 0 comments
Enews

Wednesday, December 7, 2016

Natural Highlights: Native Hollies

  Winterberry       Possumhaw The hollies native to the southeastern U.S. make wonderful additions to the home landscape while supporting our local ecosystem. Some are deciduous and some are evergreen, all have inconspicuous yellowish-green flowers which are either male or female, and all produce fruits which are technically "drupes"  but are commonly called berries.  Native holly berries are an important source of food for... Read More
Posted by Cathy Justis at Wednesday, December 7, 2016 | 0 comments
Conservation Natural Highlights

Monday, November 28, 2016

November 2016 Enewsletter

November 2016 ENEWSLETTER About Us Events & Activities Conservation Education Greenway Get Involved ... Read More
Posted by Cathy Justis at Monday, November 28, 2016 | 0 comments
Enews

Monday, November 21, 2016

Wolf River Conservancy & Jim Keras Subaru - Share The Love

We are very excited to announce that the Wolf River Conservancy will be the local charity recipient of the  Share the Love Campaign , a national fundraiser for all Subaru dealerships each holiday season.  Jim Keras Subaru will be promoting the Wolf River Conservancy at their dealership. For all new vehicle sales purchased or leased now through January 3rd, Subaru will donate $250 to charities across the country, including the Wolf River Conservancy here at Jim Keras Subaru.  ... Read More
Posted by Kelsey Hamilton at Monday, November 21, 2016 | 0 comments
Enews

Saturday, November 19, 2016

Fall Service Projects Improve Habitat, Trash and Trails

    THANK YOU TO ALL OF THE WONDERFUL INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS FOR THEIR HELP IN PRESERVING THE WONDER OF THE WOLF! Oct. 28 - AT&T volunteers   made huge progress on the boardwalk trail at Kennedy Park, removing hundreds of pounds of rotten wood and trash.  This clears the way for an Eagle Scout to come in and finish the boardwalk.  Oct. 29  - Halloween Bat House Project at Lovitt Woods - Thanks to the... Read More
Posted by Cathy Justis at Saturday, November 19, 2016 | 0 comments
Conservation Volunteer

Saturday, November 19, 2016

A Warm Welcome to Jackie Doyle, Our New Office Manager

We are pleased and excited to introduce our new office manager, Jackie Doyle, to all of our members and supporters! Jackie comes to us with a great deal of nonprofit experience, most recently the Ronald McDonald House. She also possesses a great passion for the mission of the Wolf River Conservancy and has enjoyed meeting many of our volunteers and donors. Jackie will oversee the Conservancy's general office operation including donor records management, human resources,... Read More
Posted by Cathy Justis at Saturday, November 19, 2016 | 0 comments

Friday, November 18, 2016

Thank You for a Wonderful Greenway Soiree

Thank you to all of our sponsors, planning committee members, guests and volunteers who helped make this year's Greenway Soiree a night to remember! With music from Earnestine & Hazel's Band, great items to bid in our silent and live auction, and wonderful food from Paradox Catering & Consulting, we are glad we could  Celebrate the Wolf  in style. A special thank you to our Presenting Sponsor, FedEx, and all of our sponsors for their commitment to the Wolf River... Read More
Posted by Kelsey Hamilton at Friday, November 18, 2016 | 0 comments
Enews Special Events

Thursday, November 17, 2016

Report from the 2016 Land Trust Alliance Rally

     Land Trust Alliance - Rally 2016 - by Ryan Hall, WRC Land Protection Associate Upon my arrival in Minneapolis, it was 40 degrees colder than in Memphis.  This temperature shock would not be the last surprise at the Land Trust Alliance Rally - the 2016 National Land Conservation Conference - from Oct. 28-30.      . In the conference sessions, land trusts from across North America shared their successes, difficulties, new... Read More
Posted by Cathy Justis at Thursday, November 17, 2016 | 0 comments
Conservation

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Natural Highlights: Blackstripe Topminnow

    The upper Wolf River provides habitat for many species of small fish, each dependent on the clean water and abundant vegetation found in its unchannelized meanders.  The Blackstripe Topminnow ( Fundulus notatus ) can often be seen schooling in shallow water at Bateman Bridge and other spots along the upper Wolf, especially when the river level is low and the water is clear.  Look for the light spot on top of its head along with a distinct... Read More
Posted by Cathy Justis at Wednesday, November 16, 2016 | 0 comments
Natural Highlights

Tuesday, November 15, 2016

October 2016 Enews

October 2016 ENEWSLETTER About Us Events & Activities Conservation Education Greenway Get Involved ... Read More
Posted by Cathy Justis at Tuesday, November 15, 2016 | 0 comments
Enews

Wednesday, October 26, 2016

$75,000 Challenge Grant Awarded by Hyde Family Foundations Launches Sustaining the Wolf Campaign

Keith Cole, Executive Director of the Wolf River Conservancy, announced a $75,000 challenge grant from the Hyde Family Foundations at the Conservancy’s Leadership Luncheon on September 22.  The grant allows the Conservancy to benefit twofold from certain gifts made to its “Sustaining the Wolf” Campaign, which has a goal of reaching $150,000 in unrestricted, annual giving by December 31. Any new, additional, or increased gifts from individuals will be doubled –... Read More
Posted by Cathy Justis at Wednesday, October 26, 2016 | 0 comments

Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Volunteers Needed for the Halloween Bat House Project

Come on out to Lovitt Woods on Saturday morning, Oct. 29th, to assist us with re-installing a couple of large bat boxes!  Biologist Chris Grow of Ensafe, Inc. will lead the effort, along with WRC staff. We'll need to haul some long wooden posts, tools and other equipment, and some extra hands - especially strong ones - would be welcome.  However, we also welcome those who simply want to visit Lovitt Woods and learn a bit more about our local bats.  We probably won't... Read More
Posted by Cathy Justis at Wednesday, October 26, 2016 | 0 comments

Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Five Star Habitat Projects with SGIS and Kingsbury Students

    SGIS students On Oct. 21st, 9 eighth graders from St. George's Independent School (SGIS) joined WRC staff at Lovitt Woods to clear privet on a beautiful fall morning.  Working cooperatively and energetically, the kids accumulated a huge pile of cut privet in just a couple of hours. THANK YOU!      Before and after The Kingsbury High School garden club met WRC staff after school on Oct. 25th to continue the transformation of the... Read More
Posted by Cathy Justis at Wednesday, October 26, 2016 | 0 comments
Conservation Education

Wednesday, October 26, 2016

New Piperton Access Dedicated on Oct. 26th

        New Piperton Access Area Unveiled October 26th  by the Wolf River Conservancy, TVA and TWRA The Wolf River Conservancy (WRC), in partnership with Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA), unveiled the new Wolf River Piperton Access Area on Wednesday, October 26 th . The Piperton Access Point now provides easier access and entry to over 4,000 contiguous acres in the Wolf River watershed. Keith Cole,... Read More
Posted by Cathy Justis at Wednesday, October 26, 2016 | 0 comments
Paddling

Tuesday, October 25, 2016

Natural Highlights: Tennessee Bats

    Eastern Red Bat ( Lasiurus boreali s ) Feared and persecuted for centuries and now facing multiple threats including the menacing disease known as White Nose Syndrome, the 16 bat species which occur in Tennessee are wonders of nature which consume vast numbers of insects, providing millions of dollars worth of agricultural pest control.  Many homeowners now want to attract bats to their property by installing a bat house where bats can shelter during the... Read More
Posted by Cathy Justis at Tuesday, October 25, 2016 | 0 comments
Natural Highlights

Friday, October 7, 2016

September 2016 ENews

September 2016 ENEWSLETTER About Us Events & Activities Conservation Education Greenway Get Involved ... Read More
Posted by Cathy Justis at Friday, October 7, 2016 | 0 comments
Enews

Monday, September 26, 2016

IP and Rhodes College Lend a Hand for Habitat

   Rhodes College student volunteers Hats off to some hands-on volunteers who worked hard on behalf of our community and its wild places in September.  As part of the United Way Day of Caring, 13 volunteers from International Paper assisted WRC with the Kennedy Park boardwalk project on Sept.17, pitching in to carry and place heavy boards and railroad ties through a wetland area.  Their efforts are a part of a greater effort by Wolf River Conservancy and local... Read More
Posted by Cathy Justis at Monday, September 26, 2016 | 0 comments

Monday, September 26, 2016

Natural Highlights: Gulf Fritillary Butterfly

         Gulf Fritillary Adult Gulf Fritillary Butterflies ( Agraulis vanillae ) are abundant and easily seen this fall, but many people don't know its name and tend to confuse it with another orange and black butterfly, the larger and more famous Monarch.  The large silvery spots on its underwings are a giveaway; Monarchs don't have these. Gulf Fritillaries are most at home in the southeast, though they will expand their range... Read More
Posted by Cathy Justis at Monday, September 26, 2016 | 0 comments

Monday, September 26, 2016

Thanks and Best Wishes to Kimberly Thomas!

                            Many members and friends of the Wolf River Conservancy have had the pleasure of meeting Kimberly Thomas, Wof River Conservancy's wonderful office manager.  Many of you know Kimberly as that friendly voice on WRC’s phone line, or you would recognize her by her perpetual smile at any of our various events. Regardless of how you know her, we... Read More
Posted by Cathy Justis at Monday, September 26, 2016 | 0 comments

Thursday, September 15, 2016

August 2016 Enews

August 2016 ENEWSLETTER About Us Events & Activities Conservation Education Greenway Get Involved ... Read More
Posted by Cathy Justis at Thursday, September 15, 2016 | 0 comments

Tuesday, August 30, 2016

Drink A Beer, Save A River - Local on the Square

Join us for our monthly Drink A Beer, Save A River series at Local on the Square from 5-8 pm. $1 of each Ghost River Beer will be donated back to the Wolf River Conservancy, along with all proceeds from a specialty brew. Come join us for happy hour! For more information, please visit our Activity Calendar or Facebook Event . Read More
Posted by Kelsey Hamilton at Tuesday, August 30, 2016 | 0 comments
Special Events

Tuesday, August 30, 2016

Auction Items Needed for Greenway Soirée

The Greenway Soirée will feature both a live and silent auction on Saturday, November 12th. The success of the auction relies heavily on donated items and experiences from our local community. We are asking for your help!  If you are interested or know someone who might be interested in donating an auction item, please fill out our Auction Form . We are asking that items have a suggested value of $50 or greater. All donors will receive recognition in our event... Read More
Posted by Kelsey Hamilton at Tuesday, August 30, 2016 | 0 comments
Special Events