| COUNTY: | Fayette | ACREAGE: | 460 |
| 7.5' QUADRANGLE: | Rossville | OWNERSHIP: | The Nature Conservancy |
| PHYSIOGRAPHIC PROVINCE: |
Coastal Plain | YEAR DESIGNATED: | 2000 |
DESCRIPTION: |
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William B. Clark Conservation Area is a 460-acre natural area along the Wolf River in Fayette County located approximately 1 mile north of Rossville, TN. The natural area protects an un-channelized section of the Wolf River including meanders, sloughs, and bottomland hardwood forests. The river and its sloughs provide excellent habitat for rare and endangered freshwater mussels and other aquatic organisms. A variety of aquatic and terrestrial habitats offer opportunities for observing birds and other wildlife. Examples of un-channelized river and functional bottomland forests have become rare in west Tennessee.
An interpretive boardwalk exists on site and meanders through the bald cypress-water tupelo forest for about 1600 feet. From the boardwalk, wildlife such as snakes, turtles, amphibians, beavers, wading birds, and aquatic vegetation are a common site. Cypress knees are seen protruding from the moist forest floor and shallow water. The boardwalk provides access to rarely seen interior of a riparian bald cypress-water tupelo swamp, which have been quickly disappearing from West Tennessee.
SITE MANAGEMENT:
The Nature Conservancy, Tennessee Chapter, 2021 21st Avenue South, Suite C-400, Nashville, TN 37212, phone (615) 383-9909. Division of Natural Areas, Jackson Environmental Field Office, 1625 Hollywood Drive, Jackson TN 38305, phone (731) 512-1369. Division of Natural Areas, 7th Floor L&C Annex, 401 Church St., Nashville TN 37243, phone (615) 532-0431.
PUBLIC ACCESS:
Parking area and boat ramp are located on the east side of State Highway 194 immediately north of the Wolf River Bridge. A short trail leads to the start of the boardwalk.
DIRECTIONS:
From Memphis: take Poplar Ave. (State Hwy. 57, U.S. Hwy. 72) east through Collierville. Follow Hwy. 57 to Rossville and turn left (north) on State Hwy. 194. Follow Hwy. 194 for just less than 1 mile crossing the bridge over the Wolf River; the parking area is on the right (east) side of road. Follow the gravel path to the boardwalk.
