Happy Holidays from the Mississippi River Corridor - Tennessee!

Dear Friends,

2008 was an incredibly good year for the Mississippi River Corridor - Tennessee! We are so very grateful for our dedicated supporters, donors and advocates, whose contributions have enabled us to accomplish much towards advancing our mission to identify, conserve, and interpret the region's natural, cultural, and scenic resources to improve the quality of life and prosperity in West Tennessee.

Highlights from a few of our projects this year include the production of a new film, "The Fort Pillow Story," for the Ft. Pillow State Historic Park in Lauderdale County; participation in a 10-state Geocaching event with the Mississippi River Parkway Commission, that brought numerous visitors to the unique sites we selected to hide caches for the event, and we completed and submitted a milestone Corridor Management Plan to the Federal Highway Administration and TDOT for a National Scenic Byways designation. During this process, TDOT Commissioner Gerald Nicely designated our Great River Road - Tennessee as a Tennessee Parkway! Thanks to the regional effort and work done by all six of the MRCT counties, we have much to celebrate and be thankful for in the coming year.

While our work as a non-profit organization continues to grow and evolve, along with our influence and public outreach, we need your financial support now more than ever to keep the momentum rolling into the New Year! Next April 2009, we will be hosting a Conference for the Mississippi River Parkway Commission that will bring all ten Mississippi River states to Memphis. We will also be working toward the implementation of strategic plans created to help us all enhance and develop our Corridor resources for increased economic and community development in west Tennessee.

As we enjoy this holiday season and look forward to a exciting New Year, we ask that you consider the Mississippi River Corridor - Tennessee in your holiday gift giving and end of year financial support for charitable organizations. Please visit our website at www.msrivertn.org and click the "Donate" button to make a donation online, or just give us a call at (901) 278-8459. We would love to discuss the many donor options available to you.

Please support the only regional organization in west Tennessee dedicated to the restoration of our mighty Mississippi River, the enhancement and preservation of our most treasured resources, and improving the quality of life for our present and future generations.

Have a wonderful Holiday season!

From the Staff, Board of Directors and Advisory Council members, we thank you and Happy New Year to us all!