Our first quarterly newsletter has been published!
Please feel free to download the PDF version (< 2 MB) and find out more about what’s happening in West Tennessee along our Mississippi River.
PUBLIC LECTURE AND FORUM “DESIGN FOR SUSTAINABLE SYSTEMS” - Amie Vanderford 11.27.07
The Mississippi River Corridor – Tennessee and Shelby County Government, Mayor AC Wharton are pleased to present a public forum and lecture "Design for Sustainable Systems" at the Brooks Museum of Art. The meeting will be held on Saturday, December 1, 2007 from 10:30 a.m. to noon with speakers David Yocca, RLA, AICP, LEED AP and Gerould Wilhelm, Ph.D from the Conservation Design Forum.
Conservation Design Forum (CDF) is a national award winning multidisciplinary consulting firm that specializes in the creative integration of environmentally and culturally sustainable land planning, design and development techniques. They believe that the essential partnership of environmental stewardship and economic growth can be accomplished through "green" development by integrating human activities and built structures into a sustainable landscape.
The mission of the Mississippi River Corridor in Tennessee is to identify, conserve and interpret the region's natural, cultural and scenic resources to improve the quality of life and prosperity in West Tennessee.
This free public meeting is the first in a series of upcoming programs to showcase other successful environmental projects in the country that have made a positive economic and community development impact in their communities through sustainable design.
On Saturday, October 6, 2007 the Mississippi River Corridor – Tennessee, Inc. organization held our first annual Paddle & Float event to raise awareness about what an incredible asset we have with the Mississippi River and to kickoff the Friends of the Mississippi River Corridor – Tennessee volunteer arm of our organization.
We met at the Mud Island Marina at 10:30 a.m. where our Friends divided into Floaters (those who rode in boats) and Paddlers (those who canoed). Our Floaters rode up the river to Hickman Bar in boats provided by the Memphis Yacht Club, while our Paddlers took a shuttle to Meeman-Shelby Forest where John Ruskey of the Quapaw Canoe Company had canoes waiting to paddle down the river to Hickman Bar. The water route from Meeman-Shelby Forest to Hickman Bar and on to Mud Island is a proposed Blueway (designated system of access points from publicly-accessible lands on bodies of water) our organization is testing for further development. Both groups met at Hickman Bar after enjoying their respective paddle or float trip on the great Mississippi River for exquisite natural beauty, good food provided by Crave Catering, bluegrass music provided by River Road and ponderings by Mark Twain!
Event Sponsors:
Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau
Memphis Yacht Club
Riverfront Development Corporation
Tennessee Valley Authority
John Ruskey - Quapaw Canoe Company
Estie and John Sheahan
The Friends of the Mississippi River Corridor - Tennessee will provide visionary leadership and support in our quest to coordinate and promote educational and fun activities in the six counties that make up the Mississippi River Valley in West Tennessee. Additional events and activities scheduled for 2007/2008 include:
Public meetings, seminars and guest “river” speakers
Educational workshops about wetlands, rivers and wildlife habitats
Recreational outings by boat, feet and bicycles
River tours and excursions throughout West Tennessee
Historical and cultural tours/conferences
Annual Membership Categories include:
Navigators - $1,000 and up
River Dreamers - $500 – 999
Paddlewheelers - $250 – 499
Mentor - $100 – 249
Family Fun - $50
Individual Supporter - $30
Mystery Mississippi: The River You Don't Know - Various Contributors to The Commercial Appeal 01.15.07
Be sure to read this Commercial Appeal piece with a series of articles about the Mississippi River, including rhythms, songs and boats of the river, water quality testing, treasures and environmental issues.
A corridor of extraordinary natural, cultural and economic bounty exists in our very own front yard in Tennessee, and a significant group of citizens in six western counties has organized to embrace and promote the unique resources that flow from our legendary Mississippi River.
The idea of a river corridor is not a new concept. An initial plan for its development dates back to the 1930s, but largely due to economic conditions, the project was never realized. In 2001, while developing a regional plan spearheaded by several agencies and the governors alliance, our awesome river was brought back to the forefront as an untapped treasure.
Mississippi River Corridor - Strategic Plan - Diana Threadgill 12.06.06
Strategic Plan
11 November 2006
Vision Statement
To offer the world a unique experience in the Mississippi River Valley of Tennessee.
Mission Statement
To identify, conserve, and interpret the region’s natural, cultural, and scenic resources to improve the quality of life and prosperity in West Tennessee.
Shared Values
Creating a model that is environmentally and economically sustainable.
Providing a forum for public and private collaborative partnerships and endeavors.
Improving the quality of life in West Tennessee.
Conserving the natural and scenic resources of the region including critical fish and wildlife habitats.
Preserving the region’s cultural and historical assets.
Respecting the traditions and rights of the people who live in the region.
Providing access to sites within the corridor.
Please view the PDF for the entire Strategic Plan, including all strategic goals.
Major Mapping Charette Meeting - Diana Threadgill 09.13.06
The Mississippi River Natural and Recreational Corridor is pleased to announce the award of a significant Federal Scenic Byways grant which will be administered by the State of Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT).
This grant will enable the project to produce a series of consensus building and informational meetings for West Tennessee.
The first event scheduled will be a major Mapping Charette Meeting involving the six counties of Shelby, Tipton, Dyer, Lauderdale, Lake and Obion. The meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 17th, 2006 in Dyersburg at the Lannom Center located at 2000 Commerce Avenue (38024). The Charette will begin at 11:30 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. and lunch boxes will be available for attendees.
The Meeting will feature our keynote speaker, Michael Gallis, who is widely considered the country’s leading expert in large-scale metropolitan and regional development strategies. Mr. Gallis will speak on "New Approaches for Achieving Environmental Success in a Global Age." His company was also the creator of the 2001 Sourcebook for the metropolitan area of Memphis and was produced by the Governor’s Alliance. This major study was one of the inspirations that led to the development the Mississippi River Corridor project. His presentation will begin at noon.
This professional Charette will provide an opportunity for citizens throughout West Tennessee to meet with planners, engineers, architects, landscape designers and committee member experts as we plan the best route for the Mississippi River Corridor in West Tennessee. Focus groups will allow for active participation.
Registration is requested for the lunch meeting and keynote speaker.
Mississippi River Corridor Project Update - Diana Threadgill 06.12.06
The County Task Force Committees are requested to meet again in June to discuss their individual county assets as identified by the Project Surveys. They will be asked to prioritize these assets for their inclusion into a Master Mississippi River Corridor map. Each asset selected will be assigned to one of our Focus Area Categories: Economic Development, Historical, Cultural, Conservation, Education, Recreation, Health and Wellness, and Transportation/Infrastructure.
A major Mapping Charette and Educational Meeting will be planned with the six County Task Force Committees (mid-corridor location) to highlight what each Committee has selected as their best assets and to include more information about cultural and natural resources within each county. The meeting will also be another opportunity to bring in additional professionals, stakeholders, donor prospects, politicians, and press to help keep the Corridor momentum progressing in West Tennessee and to further refine priorities. Meeting date to be announced in August, 2006.
After the Mapping Charette Meeting is completed, a Conceptual Master Plan will be compiled from existing and new information gathered at the meeting. This will provide the framework for our Conceptual Master Plan which is scheduled for completion on December 1st, 2006.
Another meeting will then be held which will be our "Roll Out Summit" to the entire State. In this meeting, we will show the maps, graphics, assets selected for potential enhancements, recommended interpretive and educational centers, major anchors within the Corridor, new route and trails and general plans for the future. This meeting is scheduled for a February, 2007, release date.
Public Town Hall Meetings - Diana Threadgill 03.01.06
Announcing Public Town Hall Meetings to increase public awareness of the Mississippi River Corridor project and to identify the assets and any obstacles which may negatively affect the project within the six counties of West Tennessee.
Phase I
County Task Force Committee members were selected and invited to join their respective county committee by each Mayor or Chamber Executive Director.
Task Force Committee members are local experts in each of the project categories and will serve as regional ambassadors in securing public support. They will also help direct the project in each county.
Orientation Meetings were held with each County Task Force Committee in all six counties.
Each Committee member was given an extensive Survey to complete for consolidation into the County report.
The Report Summaries from each County will be sent to the Chairman of their County Task Force Committee for approval and/or additional amendments by their members. The County Survey Report will then be submitted to each Mayor for approval.
These Survey Reports will serve as the “content foundation” for the Public Town Hall meetings in April. Recommendations will be divided into our Project Categories and presented by the local expert from each county at their public Town Hall meeting.
Margie McMillan, a Memphis consultant specializing in marketing analysis reports for the past 20 years, has been hired to create the County databases and final Survey Summary Reports. She will also help create the public Surveys to be distributed at the Town Hall meetings.
After the public Town Hall meetings are completed in April, the Surveys from all six counties will be consolidated as a major category component for the preliminary Master Plan.
PHASE II
Format, schedules and venues for public Town Hall Meetings will be determined by March 10th. Please check the website for dates and locations.
Locations:
Tiptonville – Lake & Obion Counties
Dyersburg – Dyer County
Ripley – Lauderdale County
Covington – Tipton County
Memphis – Shelby County
Dates:
Mid-April - 2006
Participants:
Project facilitators, Mayors, Chairman from County Task Force Committee and members, Steering Committee members, focus area experts, TVA and other government agencies, other non-profit conservation or recreational agencies, and interested members of the public.
