Spring on the Wolf: Join Us for a Season of Service & Discovery

Dear Wolf River Conservancy Friend,

Spring is one of the most exciting times of year at the Wolf River Conservancy. As the weather warms and the watershed begins to come alive again, the outdoors once becomes a gathering place for mid-southerners. This season, we are thrilled to invite our community to join us for a series of impactful and memorable events taking place from the end of March through April. The full schedule is available on the Wolf River Conservancy calendar.  

We begin on Saturday, March 28, with World Water Day cleanup and Annual Tree Planting at Rodney Baber Park. This event will bring volunteers of all ages together to plant more than 1,500 native trees in just two hours as part of our urban reforestation efforts in the Wolf River watershed. In addition to helping diversify a wildlife corridor within the Wolf River floodplain, this project will improve stormwater filtering, reduce pollutants, cool surrounding streets, and create lasting benefits for both wildlife and people. It is a wonderful opportunity for families and community members to celebrate World Water Day by making a direct and visible difference.  

On Saturday, April 4, adventure takes center stage with our First Saturday Paddle on the Ghost Section of the Wolf River. This guided paddle offers participants the chance to experience one of the most extraordinary natural areas in West Tennessee, including cypress swamps, bottomland hardwood forests, wetland forests, and other unique river features. It is an unforgettable way to connect with the river itself and to experience firsthand why this watershed is so worth protecting.  

Then on Sunday, April 12, we invite the community to slow down and enjoy a Greenway Arboretum Stroll on the Greenway East section of the Wolf River Greenway. This guided one-mile walk will offer participants the chance to experience the spring landscape, learn more about the trees that define this corridor, and enjoy fellowship outdoors. Events like this remind us that conservation is not only about large-scale projects and policy decisions. It is also about helping people build a personal connection to the places we are working so hard to protect.  

Our Wolf River Restoration Series culminates on Saturday, April 25, with an Earth Day celebration the Epping Way section of the Wolf River Greenway. This event combines conservation service with outdoor recreation and family-friendly fun. Volunteers will help remove litter, restore trails, build nest boxes, and improve the park through invasive species removal. The event will also feature face painting, paddling on Epping Lake, hiking, food trucks, and more. It is the fourth and culminating event in the 2026 Wolf River Conservancy Restoration Series, making it a powerful celebration of community action and stewardship.  

These events reflect who we are as an organization. At the Wolf River Conservancy, we believe conservation happens best when people are invited to participate. Whether you join us to plant trees, paddle the river, walk the greenway, or celebrate Earth Day through service, you are becoming part of a larger movement to protect and enhance this watershed for future generations.

I encourage everyone to visit the calendar page on our website, learn more about these events, and make plans to join us this spring. There is something for every age, every interest, and every level of experience. Together, we can continue building a healthier river, a stronger greenway, and a more connected community.

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Sincerely,

Erik Houston  

Executive Director

Wolf River Conservancy  

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