Conservation efforts at Tennessee's newest state forest to help protect Memphis drinking water

What’s happening: More than 5,000 acres of irreplaceable wilderness dotted with dozens of state-registered historical sites have been transferred to the people of Tennessee as a unique partnership results in the acquisition of a massive property that will soon become Tennessee’s 16th state forest. Introducing Wolf River State Forest, which opens to visitors in 2025.

What it is: A total of 5,477 acres along the Wolf River has been acquired from the historic Ames Plantation in Fayette County, approximately 60 miles west of Memphis. Wolf River State Forest includes bottomland hardwood forests, more than 30 miles of streams, and 1,560 acres of westlands. In acquiring the land from the Ames Plantation, the new state park comes with 45 state-registered historical sites; more than 800 enslaved people lived and worked on the property.

What they’re saying: “We are thrilled to add Wolf River State Forest to our state forest system and are grateful for the support and partnerships that made this acquisition possible,” says State Forester Heather Slayton. “This property holds great historical, cultural, and archeological significance, as well as long-term forest research plots, and exceptional hardwood forestland. Under our management, we will keep this forest as a forest, conserve and steward its extensive natural and cultural resources, facilitate the continuation of research and conservation education at the site, and support the local wood products industry.”

What it means for Memphis: Conservation work planned by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry (TDF) stands to bolster water quality for Memphis drinking water, fisheries, and others downstream of the Wolf River and within its watershed. Rhodes College, University of Tennessee, and the Hobart Ames Foundation will continue their ongoing efforts to identify the enslaved people of Ames, working in collaboration with their descendants. Outdoor recreation activities will also be available in abundance.

How they did it: The TDF partnered with a number of organizations and officials in acquiring the property, leveraging grants and other funding sources. Key among those was The Conservation Fund, which helped TDF secure $16.95 million from the federal Inflation Reduction Act and the Land and Water Conservation Fund toward the purchase.

Why it’s important: “We are pleased we were able to facilitate the acquisition of the Ames property and work with the state to permanently protect it,” says The Conservation Fund’s Tennessee State Director Zachary Lesch-Huie. “The property has tremendous environmental, economic, scientific, and cultural value. Protecting it as a state forest will ensure it keeps delivering that value for the people of West Tennessee.”