PLOUGH FOUNDATION AWARDS $120,000 TO SUPPORT WOLF RIVER
CONVERSANCY URBAN YOUTH CONSERVATION CORPS IN SHELBY COUNTY
March 25, 2012
For Further Information:
Ken Kimble
901-568-1922
Ken.kimble@wolfriver.org
PLOUGH FOUNDATION AWARDS $120,000 TO SUPPORT WOLF RIVER
CONSERVANCY URBAN YOUTH CONSERVATION CORPS IN SHELBY COUNTY
Wolf River Conservancy to partner with Arkwings and the Chickasaw Council, Boy Scout of
America’s Scoutreach program on regional effort to provide environmental education program
to Memphis teens
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE-
Passing on the values of service, conservation, stewardship and general appreciation for wild
spaces is an important part of the work done by the Wolf River Conservancy in Memphis,
Tennessee. This has never been more apparent than in the establishment of the Wolf River
Conservation Corps. The purpose of the WRCC is to provide an environmental education
program that provides life-changing experiences and practical skills in order to expand the future
social and economic opportunities of participants.
Young people who will participate in the program will come from neighborhoods in North
Memphis near the Wolf River. They are likely to have had little or no exposure to the
ecosystems supported in the Wolf River watershed. The eight week program will include hands
on learning opportunities in such basic life skills as first aid, CPR and swimming, but will also
seek to develop a practical understanding of the local plants and animals that live in the
watershed. The students will be given thorough training on how to handle a canoe on both flat
and moving water and will even learn how to plan and guide a float trip. Additionally,
participants will gain knowledge of future career opportunities in “outdoor” careers such as
engineering, urban habitat restoration, water sciences and land management. The course will
even feature a section on the artistic value of the Wolf River and include lessons on wildlife
sketching, videography and photography.
The Conservancy will work with two local organizations, Arkwings and the Chickasaw Council,
Boy Scouts of America’s Scoutreach program to select participants. The Wolf River
Conservation Corp program will kick off in summer of 2012.
“These days, we have to be deliberate in the way we expose kids to nature” said Keith Cole,
Executive Director of Wolf River Conservancy. “This program will be an excellent opportunity
for the Wolf River Conservancy to be on the forefront of “Urban Conservation” activities in
Memphis by teaching young people how to care for the environment right in their own
backyard.”
Andy Fondaw, Director of Health, Safety and Environmental stewardship at Buckman chairs the
Wolf River Conservancy’s Educational Committee. “This program will play a significant role in
the Wolf River Conservancy’s growing efforts to educate the community on the incredible
resource we have in the Wolf River Watershed. In addition to the environmental education, the
WRCC will also help disadvantage youth gain an opportunity to experience this resource and
learn valuable life skills.”
The program is being organized and managed by the Cathy Justis, Education Director of the
Wolf River Conservancy. “Our immediate goals for the WRCC program are to build outdoor
skills and to provide the participants with a sustained and meaningful experience in the
outdoors. Our second goal is to teach them about a variety of related career pathways, with
hands-on activities and interaction with people working in each field, so that their sense of
possibility for the future is hopefully expanded. We would love to think that one or more of our
WRCC kids discovered both a love for the outdoors and a fulfilling career choice through this
program!”