By Keith Kirkland, Special to My Life - The Commercial Appeal -

Area flooding put a damper on plans for the "First Float" scheduled for May 7. Typcially, on the first Saturday of each month, the Wolf River Conservancy offers an opportunity for the public to participate in a canoe/kayak trip on parts of the Wolf River.

But there are still several events planned in the next week to get people down to the river.

On Saturday evening, the Frog Chorus Walk will take place at the Mineral Slough Boardwalk in Ghost River State Natural Area, 7-8:30 p.m.

Join Cathy Justis, WRC's naturalist/educator, and Allan Trently, Tennessee State Natural Areas Stewardship Ecologist, for an evening stroll on this beautiful boardwalk into the Ghost River State Natural Area, during an early and nearly full moon.

The group will meet at 7 p.m. at Bateman Bridge, then drive through rolling uplands within the Ghost River State Natural Area to reach the Mineral Slough Boardwalk. Look for wildlife along the 1/4 -mile boardwalk and learn about amphibians. We hope to identify several native frog species by their calls as they seek new mates. Dusk is especially magical in a southern bottomland hardwood swamp, so this promises to be memorable. Be prepared for mosquitoes with repellent, long pants and long sleeves.

Bateman Road is 21/2 miles east of the U.S. 57/76 junction in Moscow. Turn south (right) from Hwy 57, until you reach the bridge.

Optional: Leave early to enjoy a delicious catfish dinner at the Wolf River Café in Rossville. There may be a wait, so allow ample time to drive 25 minutes further to our meeting spot at Bateman Bridge.

For reservations, contact Cathy Justis at education@wolfriver.org or call 452-6500 by 3 p.m. on Friday.

On Sunday, the WRC is offering the Spring Ghost River Section Paddle Trip, from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

This is the one -- a chance to experience The Ghost, one of the most adventurous and varied river sections in the country, in the spring when the Wolf is at its most beautiful. You'll think you're on a tributary of the Amazon rather than 30 minutes from Germantown.

Please bring water and a picnic lunch. The river's twists and turns require canoe handling skills and/or a good relationship with a partner.

The group will again meet at Bateman Bridge on Wolf River. For reservations, contact WRC office manager Kimberly Thomas at officemanager@wolfriver.org by 3 p.m. today.

For canoe rentals, call Wolf River Canoe Trips at 877-3958.

All participants will need to bring a signed canoe trip waiver form to give the trip leader. Download and print the waiver form from the WRC website. If you cannot open the document, please send an e-mail to officemanager@wolfriver.org. Boaters 18 and older must sign a waiver. Participants under 18 must be accompanied by an adult who has legal responsibility.

For more information, go to wolfriver.org and click on 05/15/11, 9 a.m. Spring Ghost River Paddle under Upcoming Events.

Keith Kirkland is the director of Outreach and Lands for the Wolf River Conservancy.