New non-profit emerges to safeguard scenic Hatchie River

JACKSON, Tenn. — A new non-profit organization has been created by local citizens to protect a scenic river.

The Hatchie River Conservancy is a non-profit organization that is aimed at protecting the Hatchie River.

“We formed to conserve and sustain the ecological integrity and the scenic values of the river and the watershed,” said Bob Ford, Executive Director for HRC.

This river is the only remaining unchanneled river in the lower Mississippi River basin.

“All other tributaries to the Mississippi River were channelized for flood control and flood management mainly for agriculture in the late 1960’s,” said Ford.

The river supports a diverse amount of plant and animal species in and along the river.

Kayaking, fishing, bird watching are just a few of the recreational activities along the Hatchie.

One of the functions of the HRC is to help conserve land and water as well as promote low-impact outdoor recreation.

“So we’ll be working to improve river access and boat ramps for example. Put up signage to help people understand the river,” said Ford.

Although economic growth in counties surrounding the river benefits society, members say the river could be affected by that new growth.

“Well I wonder who is looking out for the Hatchie during all of this new development. It was clear that people were interested in making sure that the Hatchie had a voice at the table,” said Ford.

The Hatchie River travels over 200 miles through six counties in West Tennessee.

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