Mississippi River Corridor

The mission of the Mississippi River Natural and Recreational Corridor project 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.

The Mississippi River Corridor is dedicated to the economic development, land and wildlife preservation of the six counties that border the Mississippi River along the entire western border of Tennessee.  The six counties that comprise the Corridor are Shelby, Tipton, Lauderdale, Dyer, Lake, and Obion.

The Corridor is a complex and ever-evolving project that involves uniting hundreds of key stakeholders and property owners within the region to preserve the area’s important and significant resources like vegetation; wildlife; soils; water; trails; sites of  historical, geological, and archaeological interests; scenic views; vistas; and areas of high aesthetic value.  The Corridor will provide managed access to this unique region for recreational and educational experiences along the Mississippi River.

Not only is this a critical project for the preservation of the region, its wildlife and natural amenities, it is equally important in the economic development for the distressed counties in Tennessee that are experiencing major loss of employment, high unemployment rates, and high concentrations of employment in declining industries.

The potential economic impact of this project is a windfall to the region. The Corridor will attract thousands of tourists as well as local travelers along the newly developing Interstate 69. Recreational and outdoor enthusiasts, history buffs, biology and botany researchers, families, and students of all ages will benefit from the Corridor’s magnificent trails and scenic vistas, interpretive nature centers, and recreational facilities. Development of amenities to support the influx of visitors and new development ventures will positively impact job creation, capital investments, income levels, and local and state tax revenues.

The Mississippi River Natural and Recreational Corridor project was made possible through the generous support of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, Tennessee Civil War National Heritage Area (Center for Historic Preservation, Middle Tennessee State University), the Memphis Regional Chamber, and The McKnight Foundation.  Thank you!

FOR MORE INFORMATION:  www.msrivertn.org

CONTACTS:

John Sheahan, Vice President, Tennessee Parks and Greenways Foundation, 109 South Street East Collierville, Tennessee 38017, Phone: (901) 854-4466; e-mail: johnpatricksheahan@midsouth.rr.com

Diana Threadgill, Project Director, 291 Kenilworth Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38112, Phone: (901) 278-8459; e-mail: dianathread@aol.com

Kathleen Williams, President and Executive Director, Tennessee Parks and Greenways Foundation, Phone: (615) 386-3171; e-mail: tenngreen@earthlink.net