Host Jeremy C. Park talks with Erik Houston, Executive Director of the Wolf River Conservancy, who highlights the nonprofit local land trust and the organization's mission and efforts dedicated to the protection and enhancement of the Wolf River and its watershed as a sustainable natural resource.

During the interview, Erik shares how the organization was formed in 1985 and discusses their role as an accredited land trust working with landowners and the community to conserve land by accepting donations of land, purchasing land, negotiating private, voluntary conservation agreements on land, and stewarding conserved land through the generations to come. The Wolf River Conservancy works to preserve and protect the 522,000-acre Wolf River watershed, which includes the recharge zones for the Memphis Sands Aquifer, which supplies residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural water needs across the Mid-South area. The organization has protected over 20,000 acres and educates 6,000 students annually through field trips and educational programs. Erik spotlights their programs and some of the many events the organization hosts, including the Wolf River Restoration Series, Discover the Greenway 5K race, and the Greenway Soiree, a major fundraising event being held November 8, 2025, featuring live and silent auctions, signature cocktails, dinner and immersive moments that bring the organization's mission to life. Erik then discusses the Wolf River Greenway, a 14-mile trail system with plans to expand to 26 miles by 2030, and how it serves as a key asset for Memphis. The Conservancy seeks community support through donations and volunteer opportunities to continue its mission of land protection, educational programming, and water quality preservation.

Visit https://www.wolfriver.org to learn more and to get involved with the Wolf River Conservancy.