Restoring the Wolf River Bottoms: A Collaborative Effort for a Healthier Memphis

Dear Wolf River Conservancy Friend,

Our mission here at the Conservancy has always been clear - to protect and enhance land within the Wolf River watershed as a sustainable natural resource. This mission extends from the quiet headwaters near Baker’s Pond to the river’s confluence with the Mississippi River, and includes an area within the city of Memphis along the I-40 corridor that has long faced some of our community’s greatest environmental challenges: the Wolf River Bottoms.  

This year, I’ve had the privilege of serving as Vice Chairman of the Wolf River Bottoms Task Force, a group formed by the Memphis City Council and chaired by District 1 Councilwoman Rhonda Logan to study and address issues of illegal dumping, blight, and environmental neglect in the Wolf River Bottoms area. From May through September of this year, the Task Force, which includes directors from city departments, Shelby County, TDEC, and Memphis City Council members, met monthly and conducted site visits on public and private lands to assess conditions firsthand and develop solutions.

What we saw was both sobering and inspiring. We encountered thousands of tires, construction debris, and waste scattered across what should be a thriving natural floodplain. Yet we also saw potential in land that can be restored, revitalized, and reimagined for the benefit of both people and nature.

On November 18th, our Task Force will present its findings and recommendations to the full Memphis City Council. These recommendations focus on four key areas:

• Mitigation: Preventing future dumping and reducing floodplain risk.

• Remediation: Cleaning and restoring affected lands.

• Enforcement: Strengthening policies and interagency coordination.

• Development: Promoting sustainable and community-oriented use of the Wolf River Bottoms.

For the Wolf River Conservancy, this work underscores our belief that collaboration drives conservation. Real change happens when public agencies, nonprofits, and residents work side by side to protect the places that define our region.

As these recommendations move forward into a potential phase two of the task force next year, the Conservancy will continue to serve this effort and advocate for solutions that balance environmental health, public safety, and community benefit. Together, we can ensure that the Wolf River Bottoms, once overlooked, becomes a symbol of restoration and resilience.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership in this important work.

Erik Houston

Erik Houston  Executive Director

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