Parks and Recreation
WPNC Program Schedule Fall 2008
September
- Canoe & Kayak the Cove
Saturday, September 6
10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Age level: Adults, 14+
Registration opens August 22
Brush up on your paddling skills at Hamilton Creek Cove. Participants can reserve a one-hour time slot in a canoe or kayak.
Leaders: Lisa King and Warner Park Staff
- Fall Family Field Flowers
Saturday, September 6
10-11:30 a.m.
Age level: All ages
Registration opens August 22
Join the naturalist to discover Joe Pye, goldenrod, ironweed and other fall flowers!
Leader: Heather Gallagher
- Digital Scavenger Hunt
Saturday, September 6
1:30-3 p.m.
Age level: All ages
Registration opens August 22
Bring your digital camera or cell phone and join us as we attempt to check off our lists and capture the world in photographs.
Leader: Paul Fowler
- Hummingbird Heaven
Thursday, September 11
4:30-5:30p.m.
Age level: All ages
Registration opens August 28
Bid farewell to hummingbirds through story, song, and games!
Leader: Heather Gallagher and Sandy Bivens
- Gold “on” the Hills
Friday, September 12
10-11 a.m. and 1-2 p.m.
Age level: 3-5 years
Registration opens August 28
There is gold on the hills in the Warner Parks. Let’s learn about the beautiful gold flowers and head outside for a look.
Leader: Melissa Donahue
- Full Moon Pickin’ Party
Friday, September 12
7-11 p.m.
Age level: All ages
Call 370-8053 to register or to volunteer.
Join musicians and music lovers for an evening of bluegrass, delicious food, drink, and FUN for the entire family! All proceeds help protect and preserve the Parks.
Leaders: Maggie Odle, FOWP, and Volunteers
- Weed Wackin’
Saturday, September 13
9-11 a.m.
Age level: Adults, 13+
Call to register
Save our park! Come join us for some physical fun as we remove some exotic plants from this natural area. You can help make a difference!
Leader: Jon Martin, FOWP
- Signs of Autumn Walk
Saturday, September 13
11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Age level: All ages
Registration opens August 28
Bring your picnic lunch as we look for signs of the season on this walk on the Old Roadway.
Leader: Paul Fowler & Heather Gallagher
- Park Watchers on Patrol
Saturday, September 13
Noon-1pm
Age level: Adults
Call to register
Join us for a hike on the trails and closed roads, and learn about the easiest volunteer opportunity out here. You can help us by being the EYES and EARS to help preserve this special place.
Leader: Jon Martin, FOWP
- Pondering Plankton
Wednesday, September 17
4-5:30 pm
Age level: 6-12 years
Registration opens September 13
Plankton are tiny aquatic organisms that possess fascinating physical adaptations.
After learning how they move around to survive, you and your team will create your own species of plankton to put to the test. Whose design will win?
Leader: Susan Bradfield
- Fall Camping
Thursday, September 18
5:30-6:30 p.m.
Age level: 6 years and up
Registration opens September 4
Are you prepared to have a great time in the wilderness as the temperature continues to cool and the days get shorter? This class will teach you the basics about Fall clothing and camping gear.
Leaders: Blue Ridge Mountain Sports Staff and Warner Parks Staff
- Fall Wildflower Walk
Saturday, September 20
9-11 a.m.
Age level: Adults, 13+
Call to register
We will meander down a nicely mown, winding path through a meadow full of colorful and diverse flowers.
Leader: Deb Beazley
- Wildlife Painting with Pat
Saturday, September 20
10-11:30 a.m.
Age level: 6-12 years
Registration opens September 5
Learn basic painting skills and all about local wildlife as you create a work of art using a live animal model.
Leaders: Painting with Pat staff and volunteers
- Take a Child Outside Week
September 24-30, 2008
Take A Child Outside Week is an international program designed to help break down obstacles that keep children from discovering the natural world. The goal is to help children across the country develop a better understanding and appreciation of the environment in which they live, and a burgeoning enthusiasm for its exploration. Pledge to take a child outside by registering at www.takeachildoutside.org.
- Field Play!
Wednesday, September 24
4-5 p.m.
Age level: 6-12 years
Registration opens September 10
Come burn off some energy having fun in a field!
Leader: Kim Bailey
- Birding Tours á la Cart
Thursday, September 25
8 a.m. and 10 a.m.
Age level: Adults, 13+
Call to register
Sign up for one of two birding tours of 1.5 hours each aboard our famous Warner Park Golf Cart. Participants are encouraged to bring binoculars.
Leader and driver: Ed Gleaves, Volunteer Naturalist.
- Intro to Adventure Racing—Map and Compass I
Thursday, September 25
6:30-8:00 p.m.
Age level: Adults, 16+
Registration opens September 11
Discover adventure racing as this year’s race course leaders give a brief introduction on how maps and compasses are used in the sport of adventure racing.
Leaders: Tim & Carolyn Heichel, Nashville Trailblazers Adventure Racing Club, and Warner Park Staff
- Fall Wildflower Walk
Friday, September 26
9-11 a.m.
Age level: Adults, 13+
Call to register
We will meander down a nicely mown, winding path through a meadow full of colorful and diverse flowers.
Leader: Deb Beazley
- Branching Out
Friday, September 26
10-11 a.m. & 1-2 p.m.
Age level: 3-5 years
Registration opens September 11
What would trees say if they could speak? Let us find out together as we explore and learn all about these giants of the plant world.
Leader: Paul Fowler
- Owl Prowl in Ridgefield
Friday, September 26
7:30-8:30 p.m.
Age level: All ages
Registration opens September 11
Prowl for Barred Owls in a special hollow in Edwin Warner Park with the naturalist.
Leader: Heather Gallagher
- Get Ready for Migration!
Saturday, September 27
10-11 a.m.
Age level: All ages
Registration opens September 12
Many birds are migrating south for the winter. Come hike with the naturalist to say goodbye to some of our favorites.
Leader: Irene Perry, Volunteer Naturalist
- National Public Lands Day-Bike and Hike
Saturday Sept 27
1-2:30 p.m.
Age level: All ages
Registration opens September 12
Join us for a bike on the greenway and a hike in the park to celebrate National Public Lands Day. BYOB (Bring Your Own Bike).
Leaders: Lisa King and Melissa Donahue
October
- Birding on the North Reserve
Wednesday, October 1
9-11:30 a.m.
Age level: Adults, 13+
Registration opens September 18
Tanagers, warblers, and thrushes, oh my! We’re off to see whatever migrants we can find. We’ll be happy with woodpeckers, too.
Leader: Susan Bradfield
- Bird Banding Day
Thursday, October 2
9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Age level: All ages
Call to register
Drop by the banding table anytime and see bird research in action. Mist nets will be used to catch birds to be tagged, measured, and released. Fall migration is at its peak, so who knows what you may see!
Banders: Sandy Bivens, Kathy Shaw, Diana McLusky, Susan Bradfield, and Ethel Kawamura
- Seeking Spider Webs
Saturday, October 4
7-8 a.m.
Age level: Adults, 13+
Call to register
We will follow our meadow path marveling at the hundreds of beautiful webs illuminated by the morning dew.
Leader: Deb Beazley
- Celebration of Cultures
Saturday, October 4
10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Age level: All ages
Registration not required.
This event returns for an 12th year, with two amazing days of music, dance, ethnic foods, a marketplace and children’s area in Centennial Park! Visit www.celebrationofcultures.org for more information.
Presented by Metro Parks and Scarritt-Bennett Center
- Fall Migration at its Peak
Thursday, October 9
8-9:30 a.m.
Age level: Adults, 9+
Call to register
Bring your binoculars and join Volunteer Naturalist Ed Gleaves in catching the Fall migration of birds through the Warner Parks.
Leader: Ed Gleaves, Volunteer Naturalist
- Adventure Racing—Map and Compass II
Thursday, October 9
6:30-8 p.m.
Age level: Adults, 16+
Registration opens September 25
Plot UTMs, find grid coordinates, and practice reading a contour map to discover hilltops, valleys, and depressions. Please bring a UTM plotter.
Leaders: Tim & Carolyn Heichel, Nashville Trailblazers Adventure Racing Club and Warner Park Staff
- Fall Family Night Hike
Thursday, October 9
7-8:30 p.m.
Age level: 6 years and up
Registration opens September 25
The moon is full and school’s out tomorrow! Come to the Park to discover the forest’s mysteries on this night hike.
Leader: Vera Vollbrecht
- Harvest 'n' Cache
Friday, October 10
10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Age level: 6-12 years
Registration opens September 25
Join us for this combination of technology and autumnal tradition. Using a handheld
GPS, we will see who amongst us can produce the most bountiful harvest.
Leader: Paul Fowler
- The Old Tree Drawing Workshop with Artist Charles Brindley
Saturday, October 11
9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Age level: Adults, 13+
Call to register
$90 participation fee (benefiting the Friends of Warner Parks)
During this workshop, artist Charles Brindley will instruct participants in the creative process and the art of drawing and painting trees. The workshop features an all-day outdoor session focusing on drawing directly from trees in the Warner Parks and will also emphasize drawing techniques and finishing skills.
Instructor: Charles Brindley
- Go Fly a Kite
Saturday, October 11
10-11:30 a.m.
Age level: All ages
Registration opens September 26
Blustery October winds in Middle Tennessee are great for kite flying. We’ll build a kite and see if we can catch the prevailing winds.
Leader: Melissa Donahue
- Geocachingin Warner Parks
Saturday, October 11
10 a.m.-noon
Age level: 6+
Registration opens September 26
What is geocaching? Join us as we discover this outdoor game of treasure hunting and use a GPS to seek and find the six caches hidden somewhere in Warner Parks.
Leader: Middle Tennessee Geocachers Club & Warner Parks Staff
- Vaughn’s Cave Crawl
Saturday, October 11
1:30-3:30 p.m.
Age level: Adults, 21+
Registration opens September 26
Delve into the world underground and uncover the secret landscape and life forms that inhabit this grotto beneath the North Reserve.
Leaders: Paul Fowler and Melissa Donahue
- Celebrate Autumn!
Saturday, October 18
9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Age level: All ages
Celebrate Fall color at the Nature Center! Tour the Old Roadway in Edwin Warner Park á la cart with a naturalist guide. Hike a trail, bike the road, or enjoy crafts and stories all day.
Coordinators: Nature Center staff and volunteers
- Gone to Seed
Saturday, October 18
9-11 a.m.
Age level: Adults and children over 13
Registration opens October 3
Learn your trees by bark, fruit, and colorful leaf on this tree hike just for adults!
Leader: Heather Gallagher
- www.warnerwoodswalk.com
Saturday, October 18
1:30-3:30 p.m.
Age level: All ages
Registration opens October 3
What better way to celebrate the season than to unplug yourself from the computer and trek with us through some of the most heavily wooded and secluded sections of the park.
Leader: Paul Fowler
- The Whooping Cranes of Bells Bend
Tuesday, October 21
7-8:30 p.m.
Age level: Adults, 13+
Registration opens October 7
Two endangered whooping cranes were spotted at Bells Bend Park last winter. Learn about their incredible lives, journeys, and the group that supports them: “Operation Migration.”
Presenter: Rebecca McLusky, Volunteer Naturalist
- Staying Safe in the Woods
Thursday, October 23
5:30-6:30 p.m.
Age level: 6+
Registration opens October 9
Do you know how to respond to an emergency in the wilderness? This class will help you learn the basic First Aid techniques, and help you identify causes of injuries and how they can be prevented in the wilderness.
Leaders: Blue Ridge Mountain Sports Staff & Warner Parks Staff
- 35th Birthday Celebration
Saturday, October 25
9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Age level: All ages
The Warner Park Nature Center is 35 years old! Come celebrate at a birthday party like none other. Environmental groups from all over will be on hand leading games, crafts, hikes, and other hands-on activities celebrating 35 years of environmental education in Nashville.
Leaders: Nature Center Staff and Volunteers
- Nature Center Scavenger Hunt
Saturday, October 25
9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Age level: All ages
Registration not required
Use your best detective skills to complete the Nature Center scavenger hunt and receive a birthday celebration prize!
Leaders: Nature Center Staff and Volunteers
- Exotic Extraction
Saturday, October 25
9-11 a.m.
Age level: Adults, 13+
Call to register
Join us as we remove invasive plants from the Warner Parks. Great snacks and great fun will be provided.
Leader: Jon Martin, FOWP
- Warner Park á la Cart
Saturday, October 25
Hourly, beginning at 9 a.m.
Age level: All ages
Call to register
Experience the beauty of Fall leaves on a relaxing golf cart ride designed for people who may have difficulty walking the trails.
Leaders: Nature Center Staff and Volunteers
- Animal Athletes with the Nashville Zoo
Saturday, October 25
10-11 a.m.
Age level: All ages
Registration opens October 10
In the wild, some animals are natural athletes, but all animals have special features that allow them to compete, not for sporting victory, but for survival. Join real live animals from the Nashville Zoo to learn how eyesight, protections, and agility are important in animal survival.
Leader: Nashville Zoo
- Rain Barrel Workshop
Saturday, October 25
12:30-1:30 p.m.
Age level: Adults
Registration opens October 10
Build your own rain barrel at this workshop sponsored by the Cumberland River Compact. Learn how to capture rainwater to use on your garden and houseplants. $35 materials fee.
Leader: Mekayle Houghton, Cumberland River Compact
- Happy Birthday, Warner Park Nature Center!
Saturday, October 25
2-3:30 p.m.
Age level: All ages
Call to register
Join in the birthday celebration with cake and ice cream, a “History of the Nature Center” slide show, and more!
Leaders: Nature Center Staff and Volunteers
- Adventure Race
Saturday, October 25
9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Age level: Adults, 14+
Registration not required.
Walk, run, bike, and race throughout the park using a map and compass. Race includes awesome prizes and challenging event surprises. Beginner and advanced teams are welcome. Look in the schedule for the compass logo denoting classes that teach skills for adventure racing.
Leaders: Tim & Carolyn Heichel, Nashville Trailblazers Adventure Racing Club & Warner Park Staff
- Fall Treasures Hike
Wednesday, October 29
4-5 p.m.
Age level: 6-12
Registration opens October 15
Fall offers many treasures: colorful fungi, changing leaves, and a smell uniquely its own. Let's get on the trail and explore!
Leader: Kim Bailey
- Bats and Owls are our Pals!
Friday, October 31
10-11 a.m. and 1-2 p.m.
Age level: 3-5 years
Registration opens October 16
Halloween is a day where our thoughts turn to creatures of the night. Let's sift out the truth about these nocturnal flyers.
Leader: Kim Bailey
November
- Breakfast in the Park
Saturday, November 1
7-9 a.m.
Age level: All ages
Registration opens October 17
Get up early and walk off some of that extra candy that you ate last night, then join us for a potluck breakfast and watch the dawn give rise to day.
Leader: Paul Fowler
- The New and Improved Hodge House
Saturday, November 1
10-11 a.m.
Age level: Adults and children over 13
Call to register
Visit the newly reconstructed Hodge House to learn about families that walked the Parks over 150 years ago.
Leader: Heather Gallagher
- Webelos Scouts: Forestry Badge
Saturday, November 1
2-3:30p.m.
Registered Webelos Scouts
Registration opens October 17
Webelos, check off some of your Forestry Badge requirements during this fun-filled workshop. This program is open to individual scouts or troops. Space is limited and registration is required.
Leaders: NC Staff and Volunteers
- sELECTION Day
Tuesday, November 4
Age level: 6-12 years
1-2:30 p.m.
Registration opens October 21
Not only is it time for Americans to sELECT a new President it is time for animals to sELECT a
Winter home. Choose your favorite!
Leader: Melissa Donahue
- Winter Survival Basics
Thursday, November 6
5:30-6:30 p.m.
Age level: 6+
Registration opens October 23
Do you want to learn how to stay warm and cozy in the wilderness? You will learn techniques to use your clothing to regulate body temperature and protect yourself from the elements.
Leaders: Blue Ridge Mountain Sports Staff & Warner Parks Staff
- Wonders of Wetlands (WOW!) Teacher Workshop
Friday, November 7
8 a.m.-2 p.m.
Age level: Adults-teachers and other educators
Call to register
Join us at University School of Nashville's wetland to learn all about wetlands! Participants will receive the Wonders of Wetlands Educator Guide which is brimming with activities that can be adapted to all grade levels. The role of water, soil, plant, and animal interactions in wetlands will be explored. Co-sponsored by Project Webfoot and Project Wet.
Leaders: Jane Bilbrey, Lorna Morris, Cynthia Lee, and Kim Bailey
- Scout Conservation Day
Saturday, November 8
Age level: Registered Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts
9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Call to register
Help us help the park. Get outdoors and work with other scouts and we'll clear exotic species, pick up litter, and help restore the natural integrity of the parks.
Coordinators: Paul Fowler and Melissa Donahue
- Bicycle Maintenance 101
Thursday, November 13
6:30-8 p.m.
Age level: Adults, 12+
Registration opens October 30
This class will cover everything you need to know to maintain your new bike or fine-tune the skills you have. This class will review essential bicycle gear for safe and enjoyable riding.
Leaders: Brentwood REI Bike Mechanic & Warner Park Staff
- Mushroom Hunt
Friday, November 14
9-11 a.m.
Age level: Adults, 13+
Call to register
Always amazing and somewhat unbelievable, a mushroom hunt always turns up the weirdest things.
Leader: Deb Beazley
- Get Outside and Play!
Friday, November 14
10-11 a.m. and 1-2 p.m.
Age level: 3-5 year olds
Registration opens October 30
Jump in a pile of leaves, dig in the compost pile and more at this program just about nature play.
Leader: Heather Gallagher
- Sassafras Moon Hike
Friday, November 14
6-8 p.m.
Age level: All ages
Registration opens October 30
Tired of your routine hike, or are you just ready for something new? Gain new
perspective and discover the nocturnal delights awaiting you in the Harpeth hills
at night.
Leader: Paul Fowler
- Get Outside and Play-Again!
Saturday, November 15
10-11:30 a.m.
Age level: All ages
Registration opens October 31
Couldn’t make Friday’s program? Come today to jump in a pile of leaves, dig in the compost pile and more at this program just about nature play.
Leader: Heather Gallagher
- Pursuit of Persimmons
Saturday, November 15
2-3:30 p.m.
Age level: All ages
Registration opens October 31
What do we have in common with raccoons, deer, and squirrels? We are all mammals,
and we all love persimmons! Let’s celebrate and search for this “fruit of the gods.”
Leader: Paul Fowler
- Twilight Hike
Thursday, November 20
4:30-5:30 p.m.
Age level: All ages
Registration opens November 6
Many animals are most active when the sun is setting. Journey through field and forest looking and listening for wildlife at twilight.
Leader: Vera Vollbrecht
- The Cemeteries of Warner Parks
Saturday, November 22
9 a.m.-Noon
Age level: Adults, 13+
Registration opens November 7
Take a walk back in time while visiting the nine cemeteries of Percy and Edwin Warner Parks. Glance at the future of these historic sites through the eyes of the naturalist.
Leader: Heather Gallagher
- Thanksgiving Picnic
Tuesday, November 25
11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Age level: All ages
Registration open November 11
Bring a picnic lunch and learn about the first Thanksgiving and nature’s bountiful harvest.
Leader: Heather Gallagher
December
- The Birds of Winter
Saturday, December 6
9-11 a.m.
Age level: All ages
Call to register
This program will begin indoors (regardless of weather) with a full-color pictorial introduction to the birds of winter in the Warner Parks and then proceed outdoors to find the birds themselves. Participants are encouraged to bring their own binoculars.
Leader: Ed Gleaves, Volunteer Naturalist
- LOST! In the Woods
Saturday, December 6
1:30-3 p.m.
Age level: All ages
Registration opens November 21
Have you ever been lost? Learn about basic survival skills in this program endorsed by
North American Search and Rescue. Parents and children are encouraged to attend
this program about being lost.
Leader: Paul Fowler
- Stories & Games
Thursday, December 11
3:30-4:30 p.m.
Age level: 6-12 years
Registration opens November 26
The days are getting colder and the nights longer. We’ll hear some stories and play some games to pass the time.
Leader: Melissa Donahue
- Winter Camping
Thursday, December 11
5:30-6:30 p.m.
Age level: 6+
Registration opens November 26
Are you up for the challenge of camping in December? This class will teach you the basics about winter clothing, camping gear, stoves, and staying warm.
Leaders: Blue Ridge Mountain Sports Staff & Warner Parks Staff
- Organic Housekeeping and Gardening
Friday, December 12
9-10:30 a.m.
Age level: Adults, 13+
Call to register
We will discuss safe methods and supplies to use in managing your home and garden.
Presenter: Deb Beazley
- Nature Detectives
Friday, December 12
10-11 a.m. and 1-2 p.m.
Age level: 3-5 years
Registration opens November 26
The woods around the Nature Center are full of animals that we never see, but we know they’re out there! Let’s take a hike to find clues to those critters!
Leader: Susan Bradfield
- Little Tyke Night Hike
Friday, December 12
6:30-7:30 p.m.
Age level: 3-5 years
Registration opens November 26
Bundle ‘em up and bring ‘em out for a nighttime journey into this wooded and moonlit winter wonderland.
Leader: Paul Fowler
- Our Celestial Neighborhood
Saturday, December 13
1-2 p.m.
Age level: All ages
Registration opens November 26
Take a trip to Pluto and back, all while staying safely grounded here on Earth. Prepare
to be amazed and journey along through a scaled down version of our solar system.
Leader: Paul Fowler
- Fall Star Party
Friday, December 13
8-10 p.m.
Age level: All ages
Call to register
The Geminid Meteor Shower will share the sky with a full moon at this program under the stars!
Leaders: Heather Gallagher, Kris McCall of the Sudekum Planetarium, and Barnard-Seyfert Astronomical Society.
- Winter Songs and Stories
Friday, December 19
1:30-3 p.m.
Age level: All ages
Registration opens December 4
Come to the Nature Center to hear stories and sing songs about Old Man Winter. We’ll throw a few buffalo chips on the fire to keep warm and enjoy some yummy refreshments.
Leader: Nature Center Staff and Volunteers
- Signs of Winter
Saturday, December 20
10-11a.m.
Age level: All ages
Registration opens December 5
Get out your winter coat and join the naturalist on this hike to explore the woods for signs of the season.
Leader: Heather Gallagher
Riverfront Plan
"Report" Graffiti