Our Top 10 Protected Places: 40th Anniversary Spotlight

In this two-part series, we will highlight a staff-curated top 10 list of our conservation projects throughout our 40 years, ranked in order of increasing significance.  We begin with numbers 10 through 6. In October, we will reveal our top 5 land accomplishments of all time.

10. Michigan City, MS, Wetlands Complex  (485 acres)

 Over the last few years (2023- present), Wolf River Conservancy has been quietly protecting Wolf River frontage and expansive wetlands near this very small town. Compiling small parcels into a large complex is in our DNA, and this assemblage of parcels is a new conservation hub in Mississippi. We have plans for this acreage to become a new public land area in coming years.

9. Walker Tract (96 acres)

In 2022, the Conservancy protected the Walker Tract so that TDEC could add it to the Ghost River State Natural Area.  Proving that size is not everything, the smallest property on the list likely hosts the greatest plant diversity. From wetlands harboring baldcypress at the bottom to a steep sand hill with rare plants and native prickly pear cactus, this property was just featured on our “Hike Above the Ghost” on Sept. 20 - aptly named for its a terrific view of the vast floodplain of the Ghost section.  

8. Winston Wolfe Conservation Easements (523 acres)

 In two separate easements (2004 and 2012) with Mr. Winston Wolfe, we protected a beautiful and diverse north-south corridor from the Wolf River up bluffs and across rolling hills. The protection of Wolfe’s properties will forever ensure no development will disturb this scenic wildlife oasis.

7. Epping Way (151 acres)

Compiled between 2015 through 2021, conservation lands located on the Wolf River between N. Highland Street, Epping Way Dr., and Stage-James Rd. are among the most impactful acres in the watershed. Why?  A section of the Wolf River Greenway traversing the property has allowed hundreds of students and community members to access an urban natural area along the Wolf River which offers paved and unpaved trails, a fishing dock, picnic areas, a 20-acre lake, and a variety of habitats. The Epping Way property is the hub of our urban outdoor education efforts, where kids and families can try out a kayak on the lake, hike to the Wolf River, go fishing, learn about aquatic ecology, or just explore. Conservation begins with these connections.    

6. Cannon / Triple Z Properties (467 acres)

In 2015-16, two critical acquisitions created a connected corridor of over 3,800 acres bridging Shelby and Fayette counties in one of the fastest developing parts of the watershed. You can see some of these quality wetland habitats as you drive along Hwy 385/I-269 near the Wolf River.

‍