From Exploration to Stewardship

Dear Wolf River Conservancy Friend,

Sometimes a lasting connection to nature begins with a simple invitation to take a walk, try a paddle, or bring a chair and enjoy music by the river. At the Wolf River Conservancy, we want the green spaces around us to become places our neighbors know, enjoy, and help care for. That is the purpose of our Discover the Greenway Fall Series.

The series began last month with opportunities to learn about the natural spaces that connect our community. Our August 19 Greenway update at Crosstown Concourse brought people together to hear about progress toward completing the Wolf River Greenway. On August 28, our partnership with Flyway Brewing welcomed Dr. Anne Sabol for a conversation about the Memphis Zoo’s urban wildlife research, exploring how wildlife uses the green spaces we share. Together, these programs encouraged a closer look at the connections among our neighborhoods, wildlife, and conservation work.

On September 26, Adventure Day at Epping Way brought recreation and stewardship together. The event offered paddling instruction on Epping Lake with our River Guides, hiking to the Epping Way Beach, and opportunities to care for the Greenway through litter removal and trail restoration. These activities reflected an important part of our mission: helping people experience a place while giving them a meaningful role in caring for it. A paddle, a walk, or time spent improving a trail can be the beginning of a lasting relationship with the Wolf River.

That work will continue throughout October, with several opportunities to discover a new favorite place or return to one you already love.

On October 2, join us for live music at the Mud Island Trailhead, at the confluence of the Wolf and Mississippi rivers. Bring a blanket or chair, enjoy food trucks beginning at 5:30 p.m., and settle in for music at 6 p.m. It is a chance to spend an evening with friends and neighbors while enjoying a remarkable setting right here in Memphis.

On October 14, our educational programming continues at the Memphis Botanic Garden with Creepy Conservation: Talking About Tarantulas, featuring Dr. Steve Reichling of the Memphis Zoo. Beginning at 6 p.m. during the Garden’s Food Truck Garden Party, the talk will explore tarantulas and the conservation challenges they face. Curiosity is often the first step toward understanding, including when the subject has eight legs.

Then, on October 23, the Wolf River Conservancy Fall Festival will welcome families to the Shady Grove Trailhead from 5:30 to 8 p.m. A spooky train ride down the greenway, costume parade, and food trucks will provide opportunities to explore, celebrate, and make memories outdoors.

Community support helps keep these programs free and welcoming. We are grateful to the volunteers, partners, and donors who make them possible. Every invitation to explore is an opportunity to help someone feel more connected to the landscape around them and invest in its future.

This fall, bring someone who has never visited the Greenway. Introduce a friend to your favorite trailhead. Give your family an afternoon outside. Visit our event calendar for details and registration and join us in discovering the green spaces that bring our community together.

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Erik Houston

Executive Director

Wolf River Conservancy  

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