Winter 2015-16
Ring Challenge Grant Puts Vital Land Purchase Within Reach
T
he Wolf River Conservancy has the opportunity
Ben Livingston, President of Ring. “Our wetlands and
to acquire and preserve a crucial property in the
watershed are amazing assets for the Memphis region
Wolf River watershed — 215 acres of pristine
and protecting them should be a top priority.”
woodlands in East Shelby County. This feat is possible
“This challenge grant demonstrates the philan-
with help from an unprecedented $500,000 challenge
thropic community’s commitment and dedication to
grant from Ring Container Technologies . . . and you.
protecting the Wolf River, as well as their confidence in the Wolf River
As the first
Directors Adrian Blackney Jody Brown Susan Bryan Robert Carson Richard Chotard Tyree Daniels Jerry Feinstone Kathryn Gilliland Carl J. “Skeet” Haag Ricky Heros Joe Jarratt Melvin Jones Barbara Keathley Dave Marrone Kirkwood McClintock James McDonald Bayard Morgan Jon Rich Tom Roehm Carol Seamons Brett Shanaman Josh White Office Location 2693 Union Avenue Extended Suite 205 Memphis, TN 38112 (901) 452-6500
project of their chal-
Conservancy, which
lenge, our friends
our recent LTA
at Ring have agreed
accreditation also
to finance half of
affirms,” said Barbara
the land’s purchase
Kabakoff, WRC Chief
price, which is
Development Offi-
$250,000, if the Wolf
cer. “We are thankful
River Conservancy
to the leadership
can raise the rest
of Ring Container
from members
Technologies for
and friends. If the Conservancy achieves this goal, Ring will structure
Photo by Ryan Hall
Officers President, Jeanne Arthur Vice-President, Russell Smith Secretary, Sarah Prosser Treasurer, Chip Greer Past President, Stewart Austin
this inspirational challenge and to Saving the unspoiled wetlands, woodlands, and wildlife on this rare property in the East Shelby County growth corridor is a “must do” for the Conservancy.
the many members and friends of the
an additional challenge for securing and protecting
Conservancy for stepping up to protect this important
more property valued up to $250,000, for a total value
parcel of land today and for future generations.”
of $500,000.
The long-desired property is ranked among the
“As a company we have an incredibly strong focus
most important in the Conservancy’s prioritization of
on sustainability and because the Wolf River flows near
10,000 parcels in the Wolf River watershed. It encom-
our headquarters and the homes of many of our team
passes two meandering miles of the Wolf River, old-
members, this partnership made complete sense,” said
growth forest, a series of oxbow lakes, and waterfowlContinued on page 3
Wolf River Conservancy Achieves Accreditation
Joins Elite Group of Land Trusts Earning National Hallmark of Excellence
W
hen leaders of the Wolf River Conservancy decided in 2012 to undergo the rigorous internal and external review required for national accreditation, they knew it would be a grueling and
enormously time-consuming exercise. But they also knew the prestigious Land Trust Alliance Accreditation Seal would verify for our donors that the Wolf River Conservancy can be trusted with its stewardship of land and money. The 27-month application process included reorganizing recordkeeping and rewriting bylaws, as well as compiling extensive documentation of legal, financial and Continued on page 3
The Wolf River Conservancy is dedicated to the protection and enhancement of the Wolf River watershed as a sustainable natural resource.
As we come to the end of 2015 and the celebration of our 30th anniversary, the past few months have certainly made this a capstone year. In my role as Executive Director, I continue to enjoy the momentum for our work as personified by our board members, staff, and donors. You make this job extremely rewarding. We have a great deal to celebrate from the past year! In this edition of Currents, you will read about numerous projects and accomplishments . . . all designed to protect and enhance the Wolf River and its watershed as a sustainable natural resource. First, our 30th Anniversary. Founded in 1985 by a group of conservation-minded citizens to protect the Wolf River, we have remained active in this mission. Our founders were on the cutting edge in 1985 when they saw a need to create the Wolf River Conservancy. Of the approximate 1700 land trusts in the United States today, the overwhelming majority were formed after 1985. Thank you to our early founders – we “stand on your shoulders” as we continue to deliver on our mission. More significant accomplishments of 2015 to consider: • We acquired 715 acres of land, bringing our cumulative total to approximately 15,000 acres protected in the Wolf River watershed. • We attained national recognition from the Land Trust Alliance as an accredited land trust. Only 20% of land trusts in the United States have earned this distinction that assures our donors and landowners they are dealing with a professional land trust in all of aspects of our operation. • We held a groundbreaking in Kennedy Park to announce our commitment to complete the remaining 18+ miles of the Wolf River Greenway trail project by 2019. We also hosted numerous town hall meetings for the Greenway. • We received from Ring Container Technologies a matching financial challenge grant with a value up to $500,000 toward current and future land conservation projects. • We planted over 10,000 trees at Shelby Farms Park with the help of 400 volunteers. • We engaged over 700 friends during the year’s “Drink a Beer, Save a River” events held throughout Memphis with our partner Ghost River Brewing. While we were completing all these achievements, we were also conducting our everyday activities, such as providing year-round paddling experiences on the Wolf River, providing environmental education to our community’s children, and coordinating various service projects with the help of local companies and schools. Thank you all for helping us realize this past year’s achievements and successes!
In 1984, the future of the Wolf River was on two handwritten pages by Esther Klyce West Pearson. A year later Mrs. Pearson became the first Secretary of Wolf River Conservancy. At some later date, Mrs. Pearson placed the two pages, along with other pertinent documents, in a red and gold paisley fabric box that was handed down over the years by various former board members. Finally, just last week it was presented to the Memphis Room at the Benjamin Hooks Library. Keith Cole read her 1984 vision aloud to a small group, including her grandson John Minervini, daughter-in-law Ellen Klyce, and Conservancy co-founder Charles Askew. Mrs. Pearson was not alone in the nascent idea that is coming alive right now. It has taken thirty years for the last stages of the Wolf River Greenway to begin final construction with a deadline date of 2019. The Greenway groundbreaking in September was exciting. In my mind’s eye, I can see many Memphians and Shelby Countians enjoying the river’s edge all the way from Collierville to the mouth of the Mississippi River. From there we will connect with the Mud Island Greenway and Downtown. By then the Harahan project should be complete, and Arkansas and beyond will be on the horizon for walkers and bikers. Farfetched, you say? Not really — Esther Klyce West Pearson foresaw the possibilities years ago. Remember as you begin to ride or walk farther and farther along the Greenway that you are enjoying just one of the many Wonders of the Wolf. Far below you, there is something more precious to us — it is the water in our aquifer that the Wolf River Conservancy is dedicated to preserving FOREVER. Be a part of making history. Join the Conservancy’s dedicated staff, committed board members, and volunteers; generous donors, corporations, and foundations; remarkable Greenway designers; and Memphians citywide in contributing to this vision for our future. It is closer than you think! My past two years as President of the Wolf River Conservancy have been challenging and meaningful. I am grateful for this opportunity to be a member of the Wolf River team. Happy trails to you!
Jeanne Arthur Wolf River Conservancy Board of Directors President
Celebrating 30 years of
Keith Cole Wolf River Conservancy Executive Director
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Preserving the Wonder of the Wolf 1 9 8 5 - 2015
Ring Challenge, continued from page 1
enticing wetlands. With the Conservancy’s purchase of the adjacent Cannon property earlier this year, this is the final large puzzle piece needed to link protected lands between Collierville and Piperton, creating a 4,000-acre contiguous wildlife corridor. “It’s just remarkable to have a property of this size with so much river frontage in Shelby County,” said Ryan Hall, WRC Land Protection Associate. “Being in the Collierville growth corridor puts it at risk for development, logging and erosion, or even worse, gravel mining that could harm the aquifer.” “It may be our most important purchase since the Ghost River tract,” said Keith Cole, WRC Executive Director. “We’re incredibly grateful to Ring Container Technologies for this generous and important donation.” You can donate to this critical property acquisition by calling (901) 452-6500, ext. 110; sending a check marked Ring Challenge to the Wolf River Conservancy, P.O. Box 11031, Memphis, TN 38111; or visiting online at wolfriver.org/ring-challenge-grant. Every dollar received will save $3.46 worth of land now and help preserve the Wonder of the Wolf forever.
how your company can partner with us i n 2016 We would like to thank our Corporate Benefactors for their continued support and commitment to the work and mission of the Wolf River Conservancy. If you are interested in learning more about how your company can partner with us in 2015, please contact the Development Department at 901-452-6500, ext. 109 or 110.
Accreditation, continued from page 1
fund-raising practices, conservation strategies, and history of land acquisitions. The voluminous accounting of WRC business practices was then analyzed by the Land Trust Accreditation Committee, a division of the Land Trust Alliance, which confirmed that the Wolf River Conservancy adheres to the nation’s highest standards in ethics, operations, and sustainability. In August, the Wolf River Conservancy was officially awarded accreditation, and along with it, the right to display the prestigious LTA Seal, a distinction given to fewer than 20% of American land trusts. In fact, the WRC is one of only four accredited land trusts in Tennessee and the first representing West Tennessee. “Becoming an accredited land trust illustrates the continued growth of our organizational capacity and the ability of the Conservancy to complete its mission of protecting the Wolf River,” said Jeanne Arthur, President of the WRC Board of Directors. “I’d also like to acknowledge our Chief Financial Officer, Bob Wenner, for his focus and dedication in leading our accreditation team.” With a nice touch of serendipity, the milestone comes in the year the Conservancy is celebrating its 30th anniversary of preserving the Wonder of the Wolf. “This accreditation shows that the Wolf River Conservancy can continue to fulfill its promise of long-term conservation of the area’s vital resources,” said Keith Cole, WRC Executive Director. “Protecting
Why Accreditation Matters Excellence Accredited land trusts protect important natural places and lands forever using the highest national quality standards. Trust Accredited land trusts voluntarily submit their organizations to an external, independent review of their practices, providing the public with the assurance they can be trusted to meet established land conservation standards. Permanence Land trusts often promise that the protection is forever. Accreditation verifies that the land trust has the policies and programs in place to keep this promise, either by caring for the land itself or transferring the land to an entity that can.
Subscribe to eblasts and enews at www.wolfriver.org Follow us on @WolfRConser v /wolfriver
our watershed and area wetlands assures we’ll have a clean, safe, and plentiful water supply for generations
@wolfriverconser vancy
to come.” 3
Ready, Set, Go! Wolf River Greenway Expansion Kicks Off With Goal to Finish Entire Trail in 3 Years
T
Alta Planning + Design, he Wolf River lead architectural firm for the Conservancy and Greenway, and Pique Public City of Memphis Relations recently helped the Division of Parks and Conservancy conduct a series Neighborhoods held a of public meetings to discuss September groundbreaking Greenway designs and solicit ceremony at John F. Kennedy input from nearby residents. Park in Raleigh to announce Chuck Flink, Alta Senior upcoming work on new Advisor to the Greenway, who sections of the Wolf River has overseen more than 200 Greenway. They also outlined successful trail projects across ambitious plans to complete The Wolf River Conservancy and City of Memphis launched the Wolf River Greenway’s next building phase with a groundbreaking celebration at John F. Kennedy Park in Raleigh. the country, and Bob Wenner, the 22-mile Memphis portion WRC Chief Financial Officer of the trail by 2019. the general quality of life in adjacent and Greenway Coordinator, One of at least four neighborhoods,” said Keith Cole, WRC also addressed safety concerns. Flink segments beginning construction in early Executive Director. explained how landscaping methods 2016, Kennedy Park was chosen as the In addition to providing improved and surveillance cameras, as well as the ceremony site because it symbolizes the opportunities for fitness, recreation, and increased presence of people using the Greenway’s potential for transforming transportation, the Greenway will revitalize trail, are proven crime deterrents. lives of people and places. Three other several underutilized parks, improve boat “What we have learned is a greenway segments that will be built concurrently access to the Wolf River, and provide can become the safest place to be in urban with Kennedy Park are nearby Epping Way, educational opportunities, such as a neighborhoods,” said Wenner. “We are Confluence Park at Mud Island, and Walnut proposed nature center at Epping Way. building much more than a path through Grove Road to the Shelby Farms Greenline. Some landscapes along the trail will be the woods.” “Kennedy Park is one of many areas cleared of overgrown and invasive nonOnce complete, the Wolf River that the Greenway will touch, in turn native plants to create community gardens, Greenway will connect and enhance helping connect people and communities, plant wildflowers, enhance security, and communities from Downtown to raise property values, reduce crime, provide better views of the river. Germantown and Collierville. encourage healthy lifestyles, and improve F I N A L I Z I N G D E S I G N S A N D S TA R T I N G CO N S T R U C T I O N
before and after The Wolf River Greenway’s connection with the Shelby Farms Greenline is one of several master plan projects off the table and ready to build.
Greenway segments will be completed in phases with plans to link them all together by 2019.
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Town hall meetings have allowed citizens to see proposed designs, ask questions, and contribute ideas.
T
he Wolf River Conservancy recently presented a collection of digitized historical documents to the Memphis Public Library & Information Center for the benefit of the community. The documents were added to existing Wolf River Conservancy records located in the Memphis and Shelby County Room at the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library. Entitled “Esther Klyce West Pearson: Early Wolf River Conservancy History,” the collection was organized and digitized by Danielle Ingram, MLIS, who is now Assistant Librarian at the law offices of Davis Graham & Stubbs in Denver. She also created an accompanying Finding Aid. Esther Klyce West Pearson, a WRC founding member, preserved the early records and donated them to the Conservancy. “The Wolf River Conservancy proudly presents these documents to the Memphis Public Library as an important piece of the organization’s and the community’s history,” said Keith Cole, WRC Executive Director. “As we celebrate our 30th anniversary this year, the documents will be an invaluable resource in helping tell the story of the organization’s early beginnings and showing our current direction in relationship to the founders’ vision.”
M A R K
Y O U R
C A LE N D A R
Saturday, June 4, 2016 6:30 Registration, 7:30 Start www.wolfriver.org/cycle-the-greenway
Leaders of the Wolf River Conservancy recapped a year filled with milestones for members and friends attending the annual meeting held November 3 at Memphis Botanic Garden. Other highlights included an awards ceremony and announcement of 2016 board officers. Jeanne Coors Arthur passed the President’s gavel to Chip Greer. In addition to Greer, 2016 officers are Russell Smith, Vice President; Skeet Haag, Treasurer; and Sara Prosser, Secretary.
Photo by Frank Gibson
From left, Danielle Ingram, MLIS, Assistant Librarian at the law offices of Davis Graham & Stubbs in Denver, Colorado; Barbara Kabakoff, WRC Chief Development; Keith Cole, WRC Executive Director; Charles Askew, WRC co-founder and early leader; John Minervini, grandson of Esther Klyce West Pearson; Jeanne Arthur, WRC Board President; Ellen Klyce, daughterin-law of Esther Klyce West Pearson; Keenon McCloy, Director of Libraries, Memphis Public Library & Information Center; Wayne Dowdy, Manager of the History Department, Memphis Public Library & Information Center.
2015 Annual Membership Meeting
Carl Ring, Chairman of Ring Container Technologies, discussed the exciting details of the $500,000 Ring Challenge Grant and the company’s philanthropic philosophy.
Photo by Frank Gibson
Photo by Marcey Wright, Memphis Public Library & Information Center
Conservancy Archives Presented to Memphis Public Library
Members of the Lichterman Loewenberg family accepted the Foundation Partner of the Year award. From left, Joel Felt, Barry Lichterman, Sarah Lichterman, Cindy Loewenberg, Freddi Felt, Harry Loewenberg, Pat Lichterman-Bates, Bill Bates, Jan Lichterman, Ira Lichterman.
2015 Award Recipients Volunteer Awards 2015 Volunteer of the Year – Rachael Hughes 2015 Volunteer Special Service of the Year – Beth Hoople 2015 Certified River Guide of the Year – Mary Finley 2015 Guide in Training of the Year – Kandy Bernskoetter 2015 Outreach Volunteer of the Year – Wayne Roberts Special Recognition Awards 2015 Corporate Partner of the Year – FedEx 2015 Foundation Partner of the Year – Lichterman Loewenberg Foundation 2015 New Corporate Champion of the Year – Orion Federal Credit Union 2015 Individual Fundraiser of the Year – Lara Scott Board Member Awards Outgoing Board President – Jeanne Coors Arthur (2014 – 2015) Outgoing Board Member – Barbara Keathley (2007 – 2015) Outgoing Board Member – David Marrone (2012 – 2015) 5
The river runs through us
Exciting news for paddlers and boaters: There is a new place to access the Wolf River. Located on Highway 196 approximately 1.5 miles north of Highway 57 in Piperton, the gravel access with a concrete ramp was built on land the Wolf River Conservancy transferred to the state of Tennessee for wildlife management, protection, and recreation. Starting from the new Piperton access is a short 3.5-mile float through scenic river bends and mature bottomland hardwood forests to Collierville-Arlington Road, which highlights over 1,750 acres of protected land. For more information on paddling the Wolf River, visit wolfriver.org/paddling.
This year’s Cycle the Greenway, presented by Memphis Orthopaedic Group, raised a record-breaking $35,000 for the Conservancy. The event was held June 6 on the Wolf River Greenway, where we hope to see everyone back for the 2016 Cycle the Greenway on June 4.
Orion Federal Credit Union was a gold sponsor of the 2015 Cycle the Greenway. From right, Barbara Kabakoff, WRC Chief Development Officer, and Kelsey Hamilton, Associate Director of Development, presented Henry Ellis of Orion with a plaque expressing appreciation for their support of the Wolf River Conservancy.
The Wolf River Conservancy and Ghost River Brewing have partnered with different restaurants to host the Drink A Beer, Save A River campaign. A portion of all Ghost River beer sales flows back to the Wolf River Conservancy. Drink A Beer, Save A River events will resume in March 2016. Future locations and times will be posted on the WRC Activity Calendar.
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Jim and Lucia Gilliland, long-time supporters of the Wolf River Conservancy, attended the Greenway Soiree at Opera Memphis on September 26, where he announced the start of the Ring Container Challenge Grant. Soiree guests learned that Ring Container Technologies is matching donations to important Conservancy land conservation projects dollar for dollar up to $500,000. Thank you, Ring, for your support of the Wolf River Conservancy!
Photo provided by FedEx
Members and friends of the Conservancy enjoyed a September hike to Baker’s Pond, the source of the Wolf River. The group was led by one of the WRC founders and long-time supporter, Charles Askew, center, who showed hikers the beauty within Holly Springs National Forest and the importance of the aquifer recharge areas surrounding Baker’s Pond.
FedEx employees took part in a day of service at Kennedy Park on October 27, helping with a variety of projects, including rebuilding an existing boardwalk trail and removing brush and invasive plants. Thank you to FedEx for your ongoing financial and voluntary support of the Conservancy!
One of the benefits of becoming a WRC member is experiencing the Wolf River firsthand through our Membership Paddles. The monthly paddles incorporate different sections of the Wolf and are led by one of over 50 volunteer River Guides. Check the Activity Calendar on our website to find information about upcoming trips.
Local funk and rock band Agori Tribe hosted a benefit concert for the Wolf River Conservancy in September at the Hi-Tone. The event featured many talented acts and raised close to $1,000 to support Conservancy efforts to protect the Wolf River.
The Wolf River Conservancy was invited to participate in an Evening of Conservation at the new Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid. The Conservancy has joined Bass Pro Shops in paddling demonstrations and other outreach opportunities. Kelsey Hamilton and Ryan Hall spoke with guests about preserving the Wonder of the Wolf.
The 2015 Summer Lecture Series was sponsored by Buckman and held at the Memphis Botanic Garden. Presented by the Conservancy, topics included gardening for butterflies, white-tailed deer, the Wolf River Greenway, and creating a backyard wildlife habitat. 7
Thank You for Making our Greenway Soirée a Success The Greenway Soiree, the Wolf River Conservancy’s largest fundraiser, was held
September 26 at Opera Memphis with almost 300 guests in attendance. The event raised a record-breaking $98,000 through the efforts and financial support of our sponsors, donors, and auction winners. Thank you to all who came out to help celebrate the many milestones reached since our founding in 1985. A special thank you to our Presenting Sponsor, Memphis Presenting Sponsor
Orthopaedic Group, all of our other sponsors, and event volunteers for their commitment to preserving the Wonder of the Wolf. We hope to see everyone back again in 2016!
A magical night of food, drinks, and dancing, plus silent and live auctions, the Greenway Soiree raised almost $100,000 for the Wolf River Conservancy.
Pyramid Vodka and World Wide Water Day Pyramid Vodka is partnering with the Wolf River Conservancy for World Wide Water Day on March 22. World Wide Water Day is held annually to celebrate water and highlight the importance of managing this precious commodity. Be on the lookout for Pyramid Vodka’s special World Wide Water gift boxes in stores coming March 2016. A portion of gift box sales will go to the Wolf River Conservancy to help protect our region’s drinking water. Check the Conservancy website for upcoming fundraising events with Pyramid Vodka at various restaurants.
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SIP A
COCKTAIL.
SAVE A
RIVER.
BARDOG TAVERN, DOWNTOWN
FedEx Five Star Grant Engages Students in Habitat Projects By Cathy Justis, Director of Education
O
n two unseasonably hot days in October, 197 Collierville High Conservancy provided hand tools and native plants from several sources, School students, along with Wolf River Conservancy staff and including GroWild Nursery and Strawberry Plains Audubon Center, and the Collierville Public Works Department, invested serious sweat assisted Leake involving the students in the work. equity in improving their outdoor classroom. Soil under the seating area This is the third FedEx-NFWF Five Star Grant awarded to the Conservancy had become badly eroded, resulting in polluted storm water runoff into a for habitat restoration and environmental education. The grant allows Wolf River tributary. Plants in the us to teach students important area included only a few non-native information about the Wolf River, Crepe Myrtle trees and a slope aquifer recharge, water quality covered with Bermuda grass. The and conservation, and biodiversity students worked to fill in eroded through classroom programs and gullies, secure landscaping cloth, field trips. It also involves students in and spread mulch around benches hands-on restoration service projects to stabilize the soil. They planted in the watershed. Schools can decide and mulched a new butterfly what kind of project works best for bed, two large rain gardens, their students, either improving and a variety of native trees and habitat in the Wolf River floodplain or shrubs, which will attract birds and on their own school campus if it lies pollinators. The new and improved within the Wolf River watershed. Collierville High students corrected a storm water runoff problem on campus as part of a Wolf River watershed service project. CHS outdoor area is now not only Kingsbury High School more sustainable with improved environmental science students are water quality and biodiversity but participating in a similar project in more educational and visually their school courtyard, constructing appealing as well! rain barrels and rain gardens to The CHS project was supported address storm water issues, and by FedEx-National Fish and Wildlife adding a wide variety of wildlifeFoundation (NFWF) Five Star grants friendly native plants. The students to both the Conservancy and the also attended the Greenway Town of Collierville. It is a great groundbreaking ceremony at example of how the Conservancy Kennedy Park this fall and an leverages its partnerships exciting fall field trip to Bateman to further its mission. Eboni Bridge and Ghost River State After the Wolf River Greenway groundbreaking, students from Kingsbury High School led a treeplanting Leake, an environmental science Natural Area in Fayette County at Kennedy Park. Students planted bald Cypruss trees at the site of the future Wolf River Greenway. teacher at CHS, had attended a following a classroom presentation 2013 Buckman-funded water workshop in Fayette County and liked it so on the Wolf River. much she asked the Conservancy to help provide a similar experience for Second graders at Lausanne Collegiate School planted milkweed her students. Because our FedEx Five Star grant supports both education seeds in planting trays and a variety of butterfly plants in their own and habitat restoration efforts, the Conservancy was able to offer a trip in butterfly garden after learning about the river, its watershed, and how exchange for her students’ assistance improving the Wolf River watershed their actions matter. Earlier this year, Kirby High, Soulsville Charter – which includes the CHS campus. Improving the outdoor classroom and School, Kate Bond Middle, Freedom Prep Academy, Raleigh-Egypt its storm water runoff problem would make a good service project, so we High, Memphis University School, Memphis Business Academy, and contacted Town of Colllierville Engineer Emily Harrell for expert assistance other groups participated in habitat projects – clearing privet, planting controlling the erosion. Harrell just happened to have Five Star funds trees and native plants, picking up litter, constructing rain barrels – all available, too, and had a crew prepare two rain gardens, plus deliver piles making our watershed and community a more inviting, beautiful, and of mulch and compost; a plan was in place to stabilize the slope soil. The sustainable place to live. 9
wrc contributaries 2015 HONORARIUMS AND MEMORIALS Honor of David Glover, Bartlett Bee Whisperer
Chapter A A Peo Sisterhood Cordova Garden Club
Memory of Scott R. Andreas
Honorariums
Honor of Betsy Hood
Memory of Laura Pery Burchard
Honor of Frank Adams and Frances Hunter
Honor of Lynne Jones
Charles Askew
Honor of Jeanne Arthur
Dr. and Mrs. John B. Davies Anne, John, Frances, and Philip Jones
Coors Arthur S.W. Farnsworth
Honor of Cathy Justis
Honor of Bill Arthur
Honor of Mr. and Mrs. Bayard Morgan
Coors Arthur
Honor of Mike Dawkins
Keith and Katie Cole
Honor of Keith and Katie Cole
Steele, Megan, Merrill, and Lydia Ford Honor of Jim Gafford
Keith and Katie Cole
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Memorials
The following list represents gifts received April 23 through October 27, 2015
Barry L. Shulkin
Allen and Musette Morgan
Honor of Richard Owen
Sara C. Andreas
Betty Cole
Memory of Jim Gibb Johnson
Anonymous
Memory of Louise Hamlett
Betty Cole
Memory of Margaret Kirkland
Patricia E. Isham
Diane Spears
Memory of Opal Lafferty
Honor of Esther Klyce West Pearson
Memory of J. W. Metzger
Brig Klyce
Honor of Dale Sanders
Diana Cronin Charles Huffstetler Barbara Kabakoff
Betty Cole Betty Cole
Memory of Ida Maria Jones Pinkston
Marianne and Ron Walter
Memory of Jo Ann Roseman
Shelby East Garden Club
Memory of John P. Sheahan
Meredith Pritchartt John King Billie Anne Williams
Memory of William B. Stubblefield
Dale and Ann Abadie Ben and Kathy Adams Lou and Connie Adams Mike and Susan Anderson Edward and Margaret Atkinson Pete and Penny Aviotti Meg Bartlett Mr. and Mrs. James R. Boyd Larry and Shirley Bryant Chick and Corlea Burnett Mr. and Mrs. Denton W. Crockett, Jr. Lawrence and Pamela Crockett Robert and Elise Crockett James and Miller Delgadillo John Dunavant Mr. and Mrs. Woodson Dunavant Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Edwards Dr. and Mrs. Hugh Francis, III Hugh and Margaret Fraser
Joel and Kathy Fulmer Jim and Lucia Gilliland Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher Haaga John, Mary Ben, Rob, and Jack Heflin David and Debbie Herring Mr. and Mrs. Cliff S. Hunt Edwin and Julia Hussey Rob and Julie Hussey Hyde Family Foundations The Knight Family Mr. and Mrs. E. Carl Krausnick, Jr. Carmen Kreider Jimmy and Margie Lackie Dudley and Ann Langston Lucius and Holley McGehee Robert and Catherine Morehead Doris Murry Mr. and Mrs. George Nassar, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. J. William Pierce, Jr. Dianne and Don Reed Rick and Mandy Rough Charles, Jane, Kyle, Wil, and Jack Slatery Susan Sorrelle Chloe, Jane, Elizabeth, and Sissy Wiley Mr. and Mrs. Ed Wiley The Wood Family
Preserving the Wonder of the Wolf for future generations — The Cypress Society
Memory of Harley Thornton
Betty Cole
Memory of Cory Troyer
George Magbee
Memory of Dr. Thomas Doyle Weems
Mike Marshall
NESHOBA CIRCLE MONTHLY MEMBERS Adam Altman Charles and Kelli Cianciola Keith and Katie Cole Denny and Ruth Kopcial Dave and Susan Marrone Magda Sakaan Margaret Turley
A bequest is one of the most meaningful legacies you can provide and will have a lasting impact on the Wolf River Conservancy’s future. You may make a bequest to the WRC by preparing a new will or adding a codicil to your present will. To include a bequest to the Wolf River Conservancy in your will, we suggest the following simple statement: “I give, devise, and bequeath to the Wolf River Conservancy in Memphis, Tennessee, ____% of remainder and residuary of my estate (or $ ____ if specific amount, or otherwise describe the gift) for the general purposes and uses of the Wolf River Conservancy at the discretion of the Board of Directors.” Please note that our incorporated name is the Wolf River Conservancy, Inc. and is tax exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Our federal ID number is 62-1245975. The Cypress Society honors a special group of individuals who have remembered the Wolf River Conservancy in their estate or financial plans. Membership is open to anyone who has made provisions for the Wolf River Conservancy through any one of a variety of estate planning options including bequests, charitable trusts, gifts of life insurance and other gift planning vehicles. This special community of supporters shares a strong common bond of generosity and leadership. Through their gifts, they demonstrate their commitment to preserve the Wonder of the Wolf for future generations.
Other Ways to Give • • • • • •
One-time Cash Contributions Securities Charitable IRAs / Retirement Plans Monthly Contributions (Neshoba Circle) Company Matching Gifts Real Estate
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PO Box 11031 Memphis, TN 38111
Non-profit Organization U.S. Postage
PAID
Memphis, TN Permit No. 1919
WolfRiver.org (901) 452-6500
Season’s Greetings
Thank you for helping us preserve the Wonder of the Wolf.
“First Light “ © Copyright Tom Fox Photography
This scene along the frozen waters of the Wolf River, between Moscow and Rossville, reminds us that a beautiful new day is dawning and there is a need to protect these unique areas.