By Aisling Maki - The Daily News -

The Wolf River Conservancy, the nonprofit dedicated to protecting and enhancing the Wolf River corridor and watershed as a sustainable natural resource, will kick off 2012 this month with its first float trip of the year, followed by a community open house.

On the first Saturday of each month, the conservancy offers paddlers of all skill levels the opportunity to explore the wetland water trails by canoe through guided tours, including the Ghost River State Natural area on the upper stretch of the river in Fayette County.

The first float trip of the year will take place Saturday, Jan. 7. Participants will paddle six miles of narrow water trails through swamps and wetlands from Bateman Road to where the river crosses Tenn. 57 in Moscow.

WRC development director Ken Kimble said the conservancy has started adding more Saturday canoe trips because of demand.

In fact, 35 volunteer river guides recently convened to discuss strategies for expanding the outings, including the addition of personal-guided eco-tours that include full-course dinners with wine along the riverbank.

“They were excited, we’re excited,” Kimble said. “It’s a good problem to have.”

First Saturday float trips – free for WRC members – include everything from canoes and other equipment to experienced tour guides, who are deeply knowledgeable regarding the story of the river and the wildlife that inhabit the wetlands.

Kimble said the float trips seem to be the main reasons people join WRC. And like many nonprofits, WRC has found that younger donors – especially those with children – are more likely to join organizations that offer more tangible opportunities for involvement.

WRC plans to soon offer basic canoe instruction at Walnut Grove Lake to teach children and get families more comfortable before they head out on the river. Such hands-on activities help foster an early respect for conservation and the role the river plays in the lives of the local people.

“People in that demographic are more interested in the activities that groups are doing,” he said. “That’s the challenge, and we’re in a good position to do that because we’re an activity-oriented organization.”

The conservancy has about 650 members, and has set forth an ambitious goal to recruit 1,000 new members by July 1.

WRC has developed a more concise social media strategy and launched a new website that Kimble said more clearly conveys its mission.

“There are a lot of people who say they love what we’re doing, but not enough of them are making the commitment to become members, so that’s something that we’re trying to change,” Kimble said. “The identity for those people who become members is that they care a lot about Memphis, they’re into conservation, and they like all of the greening initiatives that are taking place … .”

WRC has also added some new members to its board of directors, including Katie Midgley, 26, of The Plough Foundation.

“To the staff and board of directors of the Wolf River Conservancy, ‘green’ isn’t just a political buzzword,” she said. “We recognize that the water supply in Memphis is one of our greatest natural resources and are dedicated to protecting this precious gift.”

Midgley said she’s excited to play an active role in the organization that’s spearheading the development of the Wolf River Greenway, a network of trails that will eventually extend 30 miles and connect neighborhoods from Downtown Memphis to Germantown and Collierville.

“Research on green trail development has proven that these resources help to connect people and communities, raise property values, reduce crime, encourage healthy lifestyles, and improve the general quality of life in adjacent neighborhoods,” Midgley said.

On Thursday, Jan. 12, WRC will host an open house at its office, 3100 Walnut Grove Road, Suite 503, to give the public an opportunity to meet board members and staff and learn more about the conservancy’s programs and volunteer opportunities – of which there are many.

“There are always opportunities for evasive plant removal, river cleanups and tree planting,” Kimble said. “We also need more people who can lead guided hikes, and people will go out and advocate for us as volunteer ambassadors, speaking at public forums. Having people at events who can engage the public about who we are and what we do is very valuable to us.”

Another way to support WRC, Kimble said, is by purchasing Memphis-brewed Ghost River beer, which recently began selling bottled beer at retail outlets.

“We’re the only nonprofit that they support financially,” Kimble said. “That’s part of their mission because it’s all about the water for them. It makes business sense for them to support an organization that’s protecting the water. Part of the proceeds from every keg and from every six pack that’s sold goes to help support the Wolf River Conservancy.”

The Daily News Publishing Co. Inc. is a supporter of the Wolf River Conservancy.