The Heroes of Ghost River: A 40th Anniversary Reflection 

The Wolf River Conservancy’s reputation as an effective land conservation organization was forged in the fire of an emergency which arose in 1995: the imminent loss and conversion of the Ghost River section of the Wolf River and its surrounding uplands. The dramatic and inspiring effort by many people united in a mission to save this remarkable area will always stand as one of the Conservancy’s proudest accomplishments.  The story of the Ghost River rescue deserves to be told by two people who were there at the time - Keith Kirkland, who related the story for our website in 2011, and Eileen Segal, who was President of the Board in 1995, and wrote about the effort in our newsletter that year. We’ve also included a link to the August 1995 issue of our newsletter, River Currents. On page 6, you’ll find an article Keith wrote about a paddle trip through the Ghost River with several VIP’s including Mr. W. S. “Babe” Howard, whose last-minute leap of faith bought the precious time required to save a place he had yet to fully experience himself.  

Keith Kirkland (writing in 2011):

In 1995, the Wolf River Conservancy’s worst fears were realized when a timber and development firm purchased a 4,000-acre plantation from the Beasley family which encompassed 5 miles of the 8-mile Ghost River section. This plantation also included over 1,000 acres of highly developable uplands. The timber and development firm planned to strip the timber and then auction off hundreds of parcels of the old plantation for “ranchettes”. The firm paid $3 million for the tract. Wolf River Conservancy asked the new owners how much they would sell it for, and the answer was $4 million.  Still an organization of volunteers alone, the Wolf River Conservancy had only four months to raise the $4 million needed to rescue the Ghost River section from destruction.

The organization printed a brochure for public distribution explaining the crisis and asked its membership and other community members to contact Governor Don Sundquist. The response was phenomenal; the governor received hundreds of calls and letters and was ultimately persuaded to provide $3 million, the fair market price, if the Wolf River Conservancy would raise the additional $1 million needed to acquire the property before the scheduled auction. As the auction date approached, the WRC membership and board were able to raise over $60,000, but this fell far short of the necessary $1 million. Just one day before the auction, a great hero emerged: W.S. “Babe” Howard, President of Millington Telephone Company. Mr. Howard borrowed the $1 million, allowing the Wolf River Conservancy to purchase the 4,000-acre plantation and rescue the uniquely beautiful Ghost River section from destruction.  Scott Ledbetter, a noted community leader and fundraiser, then spent a month of his life raising $1.2 million in pledges from other community leaders and Wolf River Conservancy supporters to repay Mr. Howard.  This goal was met in 1997.

The Wolf River Conservancy was also awarded a $600,000 North American Wildlife Conservation Act (NAWCA) grant for the Ghost River section’s rescue and protection.  The NAWCA grant was used in partnership with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) to protect an additional 3,000 acres of land.  Now, the 2,220 acres Ghost River State Natural Area and the adjoining Wolf River Wildlife Management area comprise a total of 7,000 protected acres.  

Eileen Segal (in River Currents, August 1995, From the President):

Whew! What a campaign!

Nine months of hard work – it was like a birthing process.  There were painful moments, there were happy moments, then there was the final push, and out came a 4,067-acre property.  What a beautiful tract – something for everyone to be proud of! And whom do we have to thank for this joyous occasion?

First, the union of urban and rural counterparts who helped make the protection of the area a priority issue.  This was probably the first-time diverse groups came together in this area for a conservation cause – environmentalists and hunters, city folks and country folks, garden clubs and field trial associations, students and retirees, families and corporations. I believe the message is clear. Our society is in dire need of natural open spaces for the mind, the body, and the spirit.

Secondly, there appeared Mr. W. S. “Babe” Howard who saved the day with his selfless dedication to our state’s need for wildlife and its habitat.  It was not only Mr. Howard’s experience in serving as member and chairman of the state’s Wildlife Resources Agency that made him an invaluable part of the “birthing process” but that, as a philanthropist, he knew where risks had to be taken and when to go way out on a limb to ensure the security of this project as well as many others.

Then, there was the “doctor” of fundraising – Scott P. Ledbetter. Without Mr. Ledbetter’s devotion of talented energies we would still be “laboring” today.  Mr. Ledbetter came with good credentials from the Zoo and the Memphis Arts Council.  Along with assistant Kathy Weathersbee, they gave us the hope and reassurance that we would be successful.

Mr. Ledbetter brought with him a “specialist.” His name: L. R. Jalenak Jr.  Mr. Jalenak, I believe, is in the miracle-making business.  He made willing donors appear from places we had not seen before.  We are indebted to him for his behind-the-scenes diplomacy.

Finally, Governor Don Sundquist condoned the use of monies from the state’s Department of Environment and Conservation with the TWRA funds already promised.  It was the icing on the birthday cake.

But let us not forget the big picture. The 4,067-acre property was only our first born. There will and must be other additions down the road – tracts big and small.  All are important to create our dream of a greenbelt along the entire 86-mile length of the Wolf River from the state of Mississippi to the Mississippi River.  This is a dream we would like to share with our community.  So please join us in making the dream a reality for human life and wildlife alike.

Please use this link to read the August 1995 issue of River Currents.

‍