Nature Centers
About Us
Get outside, explore Nashville’s nature and have fun! Nature Centers are gateways to the Parks and great places to begin your visit and exploration outdoors.
The Nature Center program is a system of four nature centers that work together with a mission
- to provide quality environmental education and responsible recreation
- to help protect, preserve, restore and manage the park ecosystem and all natural resources
- to raise awareness, foster respect and share enthusiasm for the natural environment
Nature Centers are open year-round and offer programs, special events, field trips, natural history information and literature, maps and naturalists to answer your questions. Click on the specific nature center photo to learn more about its unique program and site.
Our Locations
The Nature Centers are located in each of the four largest Metro Parks – Warner Parks, Shelby Bottoms, Beaman Park and Bells Bend Park.
Warner Park Nature Center was established in 1973 and is the hub of the system of nature centers. Located in Nashville’s largest park, it is off Highway 100 in southwest Davidson County near Bellevue.
Shelby Bottoms Nature Center opened in 2007 and is located in East Nashville along the Cumberland River in Shelby Bottoms Nature Park and Greenway and adjacent to Shelby Park.
Bells Bend Outdoor Center opened in 2008 and is located in the rural Scottsboro area in a pastoral bend of the Cumberland River
Beaman Park Nature Center opened in 2009 and is in a wild and rugged forested natural area in northwest Davidson County near Joelton.
Resources
- How to Handle Injured Wildlife in the Park
- Pictorial Tour of Three Green Nature Centers
- Environmental Stewardship Awards
- Sustainable Features of the three new nature centers
- Organic Gardening and Housekeeping
- Sources for Native Plants in the Nashville Area
Nature Links
- Environmental Education in Tennessee
- Every Child Outdoors - Tennessee
- A_Parents_Guide_to_Nature_Play
Tennessee Ornithological Society- Tennessee Watchable Wildlife
- Leave No Trace
- Tennessee Exotic Pest Plant Council
Contact us
- Warner Park Nature Center, 615-352-6299, wpnc@nashville.gov
- Shelby Bottoms Nature Center, 615-862-8539, shelbybottomsnature@nashville.gov
- Bells Bend Outdoor Center, 615-862-4187, bellsbend@nashville.gov
- Beaman Park Nature Center, 615-862-8580, beamanpark@nashville.gov
- Superintendent of Nature Centers, sandy.bivens@nashville.gov
