Shelby Farms to honor Lucius Burch | Environment

On Saturday, October 15, Shelby Farms Park Conservancy (the nonprofit organization that manages Shelby Farms Park and Greenline) will unveil a new interpretive sign to honor the memory of Lucius E. Burch, Jr. and his work to conserve land that now comprises Shelby Farms Park for public use. The sign was made possible by the Lucius E. Burch Wildlife Conservation Fund. Members of Burch’s family and friends will be present for the unveiling. The sign will read as follows:

“Lucius Burch led the visionary effort to save this land from commercial development and laid the foundation for the next great park of the 21st century.  Burch possessed a brilliant mind, charged with intellectual boldness and curiosity; a strong body; boundless energy and an indomitable will; absolute integrity; and a passionate commitment to the natural world, to his ideals and principles, and to his friends and family.  His work to preserve Shelby Farms Park was one of the last great causes of his life.  A portion of these woods is named in his honor and designated as a State Natural Area."

The day will begin with a volunteer project from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. including removing invasive Privet and tree planting at the Germantown Trailhead to the park’s Wolf River Trails. A program will follow at 1 p.m. Congressman Steve Cohen, Mayor Mark Luttrell, Laura Adams, and Charlie Newman will provide remarks.

Photo courtesy Flickr user jdj150.