2017 Fall

CHALLENGE GRANT TO MATCH UNRESTRICTED GIFTS THROUGH YEAR’S END! Give Now and Double Your Impact Helping Conservancy’s Four-Pronged Mission

he Conservancy is thrilled to announce concern, the Conservancy’s mission has evolved over Ta $150,000 challenge grant, offered by an its three decades of work, and today, rests on a fourfold anonymous friend. The grant will match all unrestricted foundation of conservation, education, recreation, and gifts up to a total of connection. $150,000, between Conservation now and December is always at the 31, doubling each Conservancy’s Photo by Ryan by Hall Photo Officers in value and the heart, not only in President, Chip Greer ability to further protecting the Wolf Vice-President, James McDonald III the Conservancy’s River watershed’s Secretary, Darin Blunck Treasurer, Carl J. “Skeet” Haag mission —Sustaining water, woods, and Past President, Jeanne Arthur the Wolf. wildlife, but also Directors “Dollar for dollar, in restoring them. Stewart Austin any unrestricted gift One recent effort is Kandy Bernskoetter that comes in will underway in Holly Adrian Blackney be matched,” said Springs National Will Bladt Gifts to the Wolf River Conservancy help fund four “-tions” needed to protect our drinking water Jody Brown Barbara Kabakoff, the and the Wonder of the Wolf: conservation, education, recreation, and connection. Forest, where a half- Susan Bryan Conservancy’s Chief mile wide tornado Diane Callahan L. Don Campbell, Jr. Development Officer. carved through the woods near the Wolf River’s Richard Chotard For over thirty years, the Wolf River Conservancy headwaters in December 2015. The Conservancy, Tyree Daniels and its supporters have worked diligently to protect State University, and National Forest staff Lela Gerald Fred H. Geyer a diminishing resource: green space. Each and are partnering to replant the damaged area, including Stuart Harrington every donation the Conservancy receives ensures MSU research plots. Joe Jarratt Memphians, now and in the future, have safe water to “All the way through to the bottom of Baker’s Melvin Jones Kirkwood McClintock drink and natural places to connect with the invaluable Pond, a corridor was completely destroyed,” said Ryan Tom Roehm Wonder of the Wolf. Hall, the Conservancy’s Land Protection Associate. “Pine David Scully While preserving water and land are a core trees were lying on top of each other like toothpicks.” Brett Shanaman Russell Smith Continued on page 3 Charles W. Umsted Josh White H. McCall Wilson, Jr. THREE WOLF RIVER GREENWAY SECTION Executive Director - BREAKING NEWS - Keith Cole OPENINGS IN SIGHT; TWO MORE AFOOT Office Location $200,000 Land Acquisition s the natural world slows down, the Wolf River Conservancy looks 2693 Union Avenue Extended Grant Awarded forward to a season of growth. Three new Greenway segments will Suite 205 A The Heritage Conserva- Memphis, TN 38112 open in the autumn and winter months, tion Trust Fund board has awarded (901) 452-6500 while two more are around the corner. a $200,000 grant to the Wolf River Construction on the Mud Island Conservancy to protect more than 160 acres of forested wetlands. This land to Second Street trail is winding acquisition fills in a gap and expands down, with a grand opening scheduled the Wolf River Wildlife Management for October 21. Area connecting fragile wetland and riverine habitats into permanent “We think this will probably be protection. Fayette County-based one of the most well-received segments Ring Container Technologies provided of the Greenway, keeping in mind that additional funding.

Continued on page 4

The Wolf River Conservancy is dedicated to the protection and enhancement of the Wolf River watershed as a sustainable natural resource. FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD

“Deliver on your mission” – this was the advice I received In September, the Conservancy hosted a preview party from a trusted and respected friend of mine several years ago in to unveil the new downtown leg of the Wolf River Greenway response to the question, “How do you generate financial support for donors, government officials, and other friends who to advance the work of the Wolf River Conservancy?” As the new were instrumental in making the trail possible. Among those Executive Director of a nonprofit, I was asking my friend a simple present were some of the Conservancy’s founding members: the question and her reply to “deliver on your visionaries who first advocated building a trail alongside the Wolf mission,” as simple as it may sound, is so River as a way to engage people with our neglected treasure and help true. My first responsibility to the board, them recognize its value. staff, and our community supporters is “to The ambience was invigorating. An imposing view of the Wolf preserve and enhance the Wolf River and its River flowing into the Mississippi has replaced overgrown brush watershed as a sustainable resource.” and illegally dumped rubbish that previously The Conservancy does this as an concealed the Wolf. Adjacent to the new accredited land trust by identifying critically Greenway trail, Mississippi Greenbelt Park was important land parcels in the Wolf River alive with people out walking, running, biking, Watershed and then protecting them, or just relaxing while watching the river roll. through a fee simple purchase, through an outright donation of The Greenway extends this pleasant corridor of land, or a conservation easement. nature in downtown Memphis another mile. It We are extremely grateful to our anonymous was an afternoon for celebrating, but not solely Friend of the Conservancy who is providing a $150,000 the completion of another Greenway section. challenge grant beginning now until December 31, 2017, We were there because of the Wolf River—the for all unrestricted financial gifts to the Conservancy – gifts such reason the Greenway and the Conservancy exist. as these allow us to carry out our mission through conservation, When I joined the board of the Wolf River Conservancy in 2012, education and recreation. (See full article on front page with details.) we had just started the task of drafting a 3-year strategic plan as a I am also pleased to share with you that Jim Gilliland, Ben road map for our aspirations. Among the goals were: Livingston, and Carl Ring are providing a $100,000 financial (1) Identifying and protecting threatened lands with significant gift from Ring Container Technologies toward future conservation values; land conservation projects. We are very appreciative of the (2) Maintaining and enhancing protected properties; continued generosity from Jim, Ben, and Carl, and all the good (3) Increasing community ties to the Wolf River as a place of beauty, folks at Ring for supporting our core mission in protecting land. recreation, and ecological importance; As we approach the holiday season and the end of another (4) Beginning the funding, land acquisition, and public awareness for productive year for the Conservancy, we also must say thank you, a 22-mile Greenway; and recognize all our “contributaries” – our dedicated members, (5) Providing the resources and leadership needed to carry out the donors, volunteers, board members, and staff. During this season Conservancy’s mission of protecting the Wolf River watershed. of giving and throughout the year, thanks to each and every one of We accomplished every objective that plan set out to do, you for helping us “deliver on our mission”! including achieving prestigious accreditation by the Land Trust Alliance. The Conservancy is now undertaking the steps for creating a new strategic plan that will chart our goals going forward over the next five to ten years. The process is in the beginning phase without Keith Cole adopting specifics yet. However, some targets to expect might Executive Director include: finishing the Greenway in a couple of years; continuing to conserve key wetlands, woods, and wildlife habitats in the Wolf River watershed; educating people of all ages about water stewardship; and IN GRATEFUL APPRECIATION TO providing recreation opportunities. Jim Gilliland, Ben Livingston, and Carl Ring Most important will be continuing our work to safeguard the Wolf River watershed and its aquifer recharge areas. As the primary source of our city’s drinking water, the health of the river impacts everyone and must be preserved in perpetuity. Thank you for your support! $100,000 IN SUPPORT OF

LAND CONSERVATION PROJECTS Chip Greer Board of Directors Protecting the Wonder of the Wolf President

2 $150,000 Challenge Grant, continued from page 1

Spring-fed Baker’s Pond is where the Wolf River begins. h o w y o u c a n The Conservancy is working to breathe new life into the affected area, planting saplings p a r t n e r w i t h including upland oaks, hickories, and shortleaf pine. u s i n 2018 “We’re establishing from the get-go a mixed shortleaf pine/hardwood forest habitat,” Hall said. “That’s a pretty favorable habitat for a lot of different species.” We would like to thank our In addition to replanting, the Conservancy and National Forest staff plan to clear the Baker’s Benefactors for their support and commitment to the work Pond trail. Volunteers are welcome, with the effort planned for sometime this winter. and mission of the Wolf River The Conservancy also maintains a vibrant education program. Spanning nature walks, lectures, Conservancy. school visits, and more, the program teaches Memphians of all ages to better understand their local If you are interested in learning land and water. In 2016, the Conservancy reached over 2,000 children and over 1,000 adults through more about how your company or all the programs counted as educational outreach. organization can partner with us, Water science is a particular focus. “We talk a lot about water quality, local water issues,” said please contact the Development Cathy Justis, Director of Education. “And then of course, that all relates to the Wolf River and the Department at 901-452-6500, watershed, and all of that is something that applies across the planet, since everybody on the planet ext. 109 or 110. lives in a watershed.” Justis also works with teachers seeking more information on water resources and tools for passing it on to their students. In special Project WET workshops, she guides Memphis-area educators through water science, unpacking the web of relationships between land, water, and people. “At the end of the day, through “Many teachers are unclear about what environmental education, watersheds are and why they matter,” Justis said. CRAWFORD recreation, conservation, and HOWARD “That’s an important concept—it connects all of us certainly through the Greenway FOUNDATION to our water. And whatever we do to the land has a project, we’re connecting potential impact on water quality, good or bad.” people.” Keith Cole, the Conservancy’s Executive Director The workshop provides teachers with tools to pass that knowledge on. “It’s good for teachers as individuals, and that impact is multiplied because they’re hopefully taking this information back to lots of students over the years,” Justis said. Justis interacts directly with the kids, as well. The “classroom” may be inside a building or outside on a riverbank, but—field trip, service project, or school visit—teaching is provided for free, connecting young minds across Memphis with the great outdoors. Learning is one way to create a vested interest in the Wolf; recreation is another. When people experience what a natural treasure the Wolf River is, they appreciate the need to preserve it. On the Wolf River Greenway, and throughout some 16,000 acres of protected watershed land, opportunities to paddle, hike, and relax abound. The Conservancy coordinates regular trail-walks and river trips, introducing explorers to the Wolf firsthand. The Greenway, too, offers accessible spaces to unwind across the city. “There’s a lot to be said for getting out of the house, getting out of your office, getting out of your car,” said Bob Wenner, the Greenway’s Project Coordinator. “It doesn’t matter how old or young you are, or what kind of shape you’re in. People really enjoy getting out, getting some fresh air, clearing their mind.” In addition to providing connections to outdoor fun and better health, the Wolf River and the Wolf River Greenway flow across Memphis, linking communities and people to one another. But partnership is the metaphorical lifeblood of the Conservancy, allowing us to forge ahead in preserving space for wildlife, learning, and leisure. Protecting land and building trails would not be possible without collaboration. “Of the $46.3 million committed in Greenway Give Now and funding, 51 percent is private money,” said Keith Cole, the Double Your Impact Conservancy’s Executive Director. “At the end of the day, through environmental Subscribe to eblasts and enews education, recreation, conservation, and certainly through at www.wolfriver.org your gift the Greenway project, we’re connecting people.” Follow us on matching Please join with other Conservancy friends to help us challenge maximize this extraordinary challenge opportunity! Use @WolfRConserv grant the envelope included with this issue of Currents or visit + /wolfriver wolfriver.org/give before the end of the year, and your gift will double in value. If you have any questions about your @wolfriverconservancy $ contribution, contact Barbara Kabakoff at 901-452-6500 #wonderofthewolf ext. 110, or email [email protected].

3 Three Greenway Section Openings in Sight, continued from page 1

about 7,000 people live in Harbor where it ends at Walnut Grove Town,” said Keith Cole, the Road near Humphreys Boulevard. Conservancy’s Executive Director. The trail will travel beneath “When we open it up, there’ll be the Walnut Grove overpass, an immediate audience.” along the western bank of the Downtown’s 1.27-mile Wolf River, up to the TVA power greenway path will treat trailgoers line. Nearby, future Greenway to a unique vista: the convergence sections will eventually link to of the Wolf and Mississippi rivers. the Greenline, “When we began, this as well as stretch into Lucius area was an overgrown, illegal Epping Way, a 120-acre enclave in Raleigh, is scheduled to open in December of 2017. Burch State Natural Area. dumping site,” said Cole. The The Walnut Grove segment Conservancy cleared the land of through woods along the Wolf, drawing under construction now, and the pending trash, tires, brush, and invasive plants, trailgoers to a new area in, at 300-odd adjoining connections, will be unique freeing a long-hidden view of the point acres, one of Memphis’ largest and most in both structure and location, using where the two rivers sweep together. underused parks. pedestrian bridges and a boardwalk The park also represents a “It’s just not a place people ever system to take trailgoers through lush confluence of trails. Greenbelt Park, got back to; the Greenway’s really woodland currently difficult to reach. which follows the Mississippi, will going to open up that landscape,” said “We’re planning to take the dovetail with the Conservancy path along Bob Wenner, the Greenway’s Project Greenway through areas that virtually the Wolf; together, they’ll flow into a Coordinator. “This is going to be a really nobody goes through, apart from your roughly 2.5-mile route. interesting new amenity to the Kennedy mountain bikers and a few hikers,” The opening celebration is set for Park area, and obviously to the Raleigh said Wenner. “This means access for all Saturday, October 21, from 10 a.m. to 2 community.” people; it’ll be not just for the stronger p.m. “We’re envisioning a street festival Rodney Baber Park, another muscle-power folks.” that will include food trucks, speakers, a city property, also interacts with the The Wolf River Greenway project variety of family-friendly type activities,” Greenway. A partnership with the City of now underway will trace the Wolf with said Cole. Memphis, the Rodney Baber Greenway approximately 25 miles of trail from Both the Epping Way and section is in the final stages of permitting the Mississippi River to the Memphis- Kennedy Park Greenway segments and may go out for bid this year. Germantown border. Ultimately, the should open by year’s end. Epping Way, Out east, too, Greenway progress Greenway will stretch as a contiguous a 120-acre enclave in Raleigh, holds a advances. The Conservancy is working corridor across Memphis, Germantown, breadth of different terrain: forest, fields, with Wagner General Contractors on and Collierville, connecting people and a 25-acre lake. Farther east, the a segment that will extend the existing throughout Shelby County to their local 1.4-mile Kennedy Park trail meanders Greenway trail another 1.25 miles from woods, water, and wildlife.

The Wolf River Conservancy hosted a preview party in September at the new Downtown Greenway, where the Wolf flows into the Mississippi River.

4 International Paper — a Generous Benefactor and Extraordinary Friend

he Wolf River Conservancy is grateful to have committed Tcorporate champions. International Paper is one of our corporate benefactors that provides both ongoing financial and volunteer support to advance the mission of the Conservancy. With our shared concern for forest sustainability, water stewardship, and our community’s health and wellness, the partnership is a perfect fit. IP has been a generous funder of many Conservancy-led programs, including the Wolf River Greenway project and our Eco Challenge, which provides opportunities for youth to explore and paddle the Wolf River. IP has also been the long-time presenting sponsor for the Wolf River but their team has spent countless hours helping us with clean-ups Conservancy’s Annual Tree and other improvements to restore natural areas. Planting at Shelby Farms Just recently, a group of 25 IP employees volunteered their time Park, an event that has made at our Epping Way property in Raleigh, removing invasive plants, a huge contribution to the clearing storm drains, performing general landscaping needs, and Wolf River watershed by picking up trash on the 120-acre site. They also were able to see the planting over 30,000 trees progress of the Wolf River Greenway trail at Epping Way. since its inception. International Paper calls their engagement The IP Way - “we Not only does do the right things, in the right way, for the right reasons.” Thank International Paper provide you, International Paper and IP employees, for investing in the right critical monetary support, work of the Wolf River Conservancy!

5 THE RIVER RUNS THROUGH US

Mississippi State University, Holly Springs National Forest, and the Wolf River Conservancy are partnering to replant tornado-devastated forest in North Mississippi. The project will restore native shortleaf pine and native hardwoods to the corridor, which includes Baker’s Pond, the primary source for the Wolf River.

Each summer, Conservancy River Guides lead explorers big and small on the Family Fun Paddle. Families are invited to enjoy the Wolf’s sandbars, cool water, and wildlife together, paddling (and splashing!) their way downriver.

The Conservancy’s recent partner, the Memphis chapter of Green Drinks, has hosted several events through the summer and fall months. Memphis Green Drinks held a September meetup downtown at Silly Goose; guests enjoyed an evening of networking and conversation, and Nicholas Oyler, with the City of Uncommon in the Wolf River watershed, natural boulders add microhabitat and Memphis, gave a brief presentation on the Great Streets Pilot Project. beauty to the landscape. These boulders, on the Conservancy’s Boyle property, mark the southern extent of natural boulders formed in Cordova’s subtle, rolling hills.

6 While the Wolf River Conservancy is grateful for all of our generous donors and supporters, The Greenway Soirée is right around the corner! The Conservancy’s largest we had the special opportunity to meet our youngest fundraiser, Miss Gracie Kasper. fundraiser will be held on Saturday, November 11, at Opera Memphis. Don’t miss out Instead of presents, Gracie collected donations for the Conservancy in honor of her seventh on an evening of dancing, music by the Earnestine & Hazel’s band, and great food and birthday. Thank you, Gracie, for your support of the Wolf River Conservancy! drinks. It’s a special occasion to come together and Celebrate the Wonder of the Wolf! Reserve your tickets today at wolfriver.org.

The Conservancy offers members a wide variety of complimentary programming; This native Pistolgrip Mussel was found by 3-year-old Cooper Blevins, who one special event is our annual Baker’s Pond Hike. Each September, members enjoy a explored the Wolf along with his grandparents at July’s Bateman Bridge Stream guided hike through Holly Springs National Forest to Baker’s Pond, the source of Stroll. The Stream Stroll, one of the Conservancy’s most popular youth activities, the Wolf River. The hike is led by Charles Askew, one of the Conservancy’s founding gives children (and adults!) a chance to splash, learn and interact with the wild members, and Ryan Hall, the Conservancy’s Land Protection Associate. creatures that call the Wolf their home. Check our activity calendar at wolfriver.org to see the variety of events and programming throughout the year!

Twenty-one students from Christian Brothers University helped the Conservancy The Wolf River Conservancy’s Summer Lecture Series, held at the Memphis enhance a trailhead along the Wolf. They removed trash and invasive plants from the Botanic Garden, covered everything from native grasslands and bees to wild area, clearing out threats that degrade the Wolf River and larger ecosystems. mushrooms and outdoor photography. The Summer Lecture Series is funded by the generous support of Buckman and the Crawford-Howard Private Foundation. 7 CYCLE THE GREENWAY TOPS FUNDRAISING AND ATTENDANCE RECORDS

he 11th Annual Cycle the Greenway, held Saturday, June 3, was an Tenormous success, raising over $45,000 for the Conservancy. Surpassing previous years in both revenue and attendance, the event drew 150 bikers, who enjoyed a scenic ride on the Greenway and throughout Germantown and Collierville. A special thank you to Presented by Orion Federal Credit Union, Cycle our volunteer committee the Greenway is an important venue for showcasing who made the day a the current Wolf River Greenway as well as plans for great one: the future. The success of signature events like Cycle the Greenway allows the Conservancy to carry out its Matthew Becker Jim Brooks mission of protecting and preserving the Wolf River. Don Campbell “Orion supports the Wolf River Conservancy Allison Chen because of the great work they do,” said Stuart Fred Geyer Aaron Klimek Harrington, General Counsel for Orion Federal Credit Mitchell Lansky Union and Wolf River Conservancy Board Member. Phil Poux “By protecting the Wolf River watershed, we are Ezra Taylor protecting critical aquifer recharge areas that help safeguard our drinking water – some of the purest drinking water in the world. Opportunities to partner with the Conservancy through events like Cycle the Greenway not only help support this critical mission but also bring attention to the many recreational opportunities on and around the Wolf River for Memphians to enjoy.” Congratulations to Don Campbell, the top individual fundraiser, and to Memphis Hightailers, the top fundraising team. We can’t wait to see everyone cycling out as we #bikethewolf again in 2018!

New Wolf River note cards by photographer — s a v e t h e d a t e — Tom Fox— just in time for the holidays!

Wolf RiveR ConseRvanCy note CaRds – set i (8 cards and envelopes in each set)

$10.00 per set, additional $2.00 shipping. Proceeds benefit the Wolf River Conservancy.

Saturday, February 24, 2018 Wolf RiveR ConseRvanCyPreserving the Wonder n of otethe Wolf CaRds – set ii (8 cards andwww.wolfriver.org envelopes in each set)

The Wolf River Conservancy is dedicated to the protection and enhancement Shelby Farms of the Wolf River watershed as a sustainable natural resource. © Tom Fox | www.tomfoxphotography.com

Volunteer sign up begins early 2018 www.wolfriver.org

Order online at wolfriver.org or call Jackie Doyle at (901) 452-6500 ext. 103. 8

Preserving the Wonder of the Wolf

www.wolfriver.org

The Wolf River Conservancy is dedicated to the protection and enhancement of the Wolf River watershed as a sustainable natural resource. © Tom Fox | www.tomfoxphotography.com Learning to Teach About Water: Project WET Workshops for Educators By Cathy Justis, Director of Education

f you prefer listening to a dry lecture from a chair, don’t come to a Project WET Workshop! Offered at no cost to attendees, Ithanks to support from Buckman and the Crawford-Howard Private Foundation, a typical workshop begins by getting participants active and engaged with what they’ll be learning – and teaching. At the start of the workshop, attendees are “transformed” into water molecules which are attracted to each other, speeding around the room at high temperatures and forming bonds as they cool. Workshops are packed with a variety of activities, along with information on the Wolf River watershed, water quality issues, and local water education resources. copy of the 532-page Project WET Curriculum and Activity Based in Montana, the Project WET Foundation (www. Guide 2.0 – a collection of 64 field-tested activities, written by projectwet.org) has teachers for teachers, in traditional lesson plan format. Each been developing copy of the book also contains a unique code which enables and delivering access to the online Project WET Educator Portal, providing a award-winning water plethora of additional resources. education materials The Wolf River Conservancy works with our partners to through a network of offer Project WET Workshops at least twice yearly. Our next local partners since workshop will take place on Tuesday, November 21, at Memphis 1984. Workshop Botanic Garden. Pre-registration is required! Please visit our attendees leave with a website, www.wolfriver.org, for details.

STAFF NEWS Conservancy welcomes Bob Rogalski project’s continued planning and development as its new Chief Financial Officer; with frequent trips to Memphis. Bob Wenner still overseeing Greenway Development Addition

Bob Rogalski comes to us with a TWO BOBS ARE BETTER Matt Winemiller wealth of financial experience, including THAN ONE! joined the Wolf River two decades at Time Warner Cable in Conservancy in August financial management positions. He as our Development also has a background in nonprofit Administrative work, serving as BRIDGES USA’s CFO and Coordinator. Matt was vice president of finance for 11 years. one of our student Matt Winemiller Bob Wenner, who had been serving interns while he as both CFO and Greenway Coordinator, attended Christian Brother University, and recently moved to Little Rock, but we are very excited to have him on board as will remain active and engaged in the a part-time employee while he completes Conservancy, supervising the Greenway graduate work.

Bob Wenner Bob Rogalski

9 WRC CONTRIBUTARIES 2017 HONORARIUMS AND MEMORIALS

The following list Ryan Hall MEMORIALS STUB’S FUND FOR NESHOBA CIRCLE represents gifts received Barbara Kabakoff OUTDOOR EDUCATION MONTHLY MEMBERS April 1 through Bonzi Hamilton IN MEMORY OF September 14, 2017 Arthur Jacobs, MD Barbara Kabakoff WILLIAM B. STUBBLEFIELD Adam Altman Dr. Albert J. Grobmyer, III Kelli Adamo HONORARIUMS Robert McGowan Patrick Collins Nancy Boatwright Agnes Gordon Stark Patricia Farbrikant Audrey Calkins Neil Aronov Gracie Kasper Fletcher and Marietta Haaga Melissa A. Smigelsky Monica Hidaji Mr. and Mrs. Charles Cianciola David and Kendall Visinsky Dan Miller Chuck and Patricia Kerwin Keith and Katie Cole Phoebe T. Miller Beth and Jim Mercer Charles Askew Mr. and Mrs. Michael Dale Bruce Lehigh Larry and Kathe Crane Sandy Davis Buckman Laboratories Jean Scott Wright Chip and Diana Greer International, Inc. Gregory Berry CYPRESS SOCIETY Matthew Becker Lewis Guess Emily Hall MEMBERS Buckman Laboratories Adrian Hall Ester Pearson Linda Oseman Anonymous International, Inc. Kelsey Hamilton Brig Klyce Rick and Kassandra Don Zolman Bernskoetter Sean Haynes Jim Gafford Eileen Segal Betty Cole Keith and Katie Cole Jennifer Hepler Memphis Garden Club Larry Smith Barbara Kabakoff Michael Howard and Arleen Hill Christine Zwolinski Dr. Alan and Jan Wentz Rachael Hughes Dr. and Mrs. Malcolm J. Winston E. Wolfe JJ James Zwolinski Barbara Kabakoff

HOW TO MAXIMIZE YOUR YEAR-END GIVING With the holidays upon us and the year’s end quickly approaching, donating appreciated stock to benefit the conservation efforts of the Wolf River Conservancy could be extremely attractive. Because the market has seen increases this year, making donations of appreciated long-term stocks and bonds directly to public charities, rather than selling the appreciated securities and writing a check, can be an appealing way to maximize your charitable giving. Gifting appreciated stock is one of the most effective means of tax savings available. By directly transferring stocks to the Wolf River Conservancy, a donor can realize two substantial income tax savings. 1. There will be no capital gains tax liability on donating appreciated securities which have been held for more than a year. 2. The full value of the securities qualifies for an income tax deduction. Since the securities are donated rather than sold, capital gains taxes from selling the securities no longer apply. The more appreciation the securities have, the greater the tax savings will be. As you review your 2017 philanthropic donations, we hope you will consider making a gift to the Wolf River Conservancy. All unrestricted gifts made before December 31 will be matched dollar for dollar (see Challenge Grant, page 1). For detailed information on making a gift of stock, please contact Barbara Kabakoff, Chief Development Officer, at [email protected] or 901-452-6500, ext. 110.

10 The Neshoba Circle is a special group of donors, committed to making a meaningful and PRESERVING THE WONDER OF THE WOLF manageable monthly gift to support the Wolf FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS — River Conservancy. Beginning at $10 per month, you can help preserve the Wonder of the Wolf THE CYPRESS SOCIETY today and for future generations. It’s convenient, easy, efficient, greatly appreciated, and helps A bequest is one of the most meaningful legacies you can provide keep our work going, each and every day. For and will have a lasting impact on the Wolf River Conservancy’s future. more information about the Neshoba Circle or for any other questions or concerns, contact the You may make a bequest to the WRC by preparing a new will or adding Development Office at 901-452-6500, a codicil to your present will. To include a bequest to the Wolf River ext. 109 or 110. 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 Patricia Kessler Don Rautine (or $ ____ if specific amount, or otherwise describe the gift) for the Denny and Ruth Kopcial Frank and Pat Reid general purposes and uses of the Wolf River Conservancy at the Dave and Erica Marrone Dr. and Mrs. Barry Shulkin discretion of the Board of Directors.” Danny and Paige McKee Andrew Stubblefield Please note that our incorporated name is the Wolf River Ross Mead Kimberly and Robert Thomas Conservancy, Inc. and is tax exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Amanda Mitchell Margaret Ann Turley Internal Revenue Code. Our federal ID number is 62-1245975. Jairl Moss Chris Viall The Cypress Society honors a special group of individuals who have Sri and Paula Naidu Matthew Winemiller remembered the Wolf River Conservancy in their estate or financial Naji and Rebecca Nassif Susan Woods plans. Membership is open to anyone who has made provisions for the Steve Odell 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 • Real Estate • Charitable IRAs / Retirement Plans • Monthly Contributions (Neshoba Circle) • Company Matching Gifts

Give to the “Sustaining the Wolf” Campaign today. All gifts made by December 31 will be DOUBLEDDOUBLED.

11 Non-profit Organization PO Box 11031 U.S. Postage Memphis, TN 38111 PAID Memphis, TN Permit No. 1919

WolfRiver.org (901) 452-6500

DISCOVER THE WONDER OF THE WOLF ~ Presented by Dr. Tom Fox Join us for an inspirational photographic presentation on the Wolf River, Thursday, February 15, 2018, at 7:00 p.m. Longinotti Auditorium, Saint Francis Hospital | Featuring Tom Fox’s photography of the Wolf River.

Masthead photo: Fall’s Tapestry One foggy fall morning on the Wolf River, vivid reds Back cover photo: Fire in the Sky and oranges rose like a fire in the sky. The dawn © Copyright Tom Fox Photography colors were a perfect complement to the season.