WPNC Program Schedule
Spring Bird Walk
Friday May 4
8-10 a.m.
Age level: Adults, 13+
Call to register
The forest and fields will be ringing with song as we look for migrating and breeding birds. Migration is winding up, so don’t miss this opportunity to join in the fun. We welcome birders of all experience levels.
Leaders: Diana McLusky, Ethel Kawamura, Susan Bradfield, and Sandy Bivens
Nature Storytime
Friday, May 4
10:30-11 a.m.
Age level: Pre-K
Registration opens April 19
Come to the Nature Center for storytime under our giant beech tree!
Leaders: Nature Center Volunteers
Full Moon Pickin’ Party
Friday, May 4
7-11 p.m.
Age level: All ages
Call 352-6299 for tickets or information
Come to the first of six toe tappin’ happenin’s at the Warner Park Equestrian Center. Head to the barn for great bluegrass sounds, delicious food & drink, and FUN for the entire family – under the full moon. For information, tickets or to volunteer, call 370-8053 or visit www.friendsofwarnerparks.com.
Leaders: Maggie Odle, Paul Fowler, FOWP and Volunteers
Yoga in Nature Retreat
Saturday, May 5 to Sunday, May 6
8 a.m. Saturday to 10 a.m. Sunday
Age level: Adults
Call to Register
$100 participation fee
Anyone with any level of yoga experience may enjoy this rejuvenating day in the woods, with optional hiking, two yoga sessions, catered lunch and dinner, and time for relaxation/meditation. There is an additional option to camp overnight and enjoy a light breakfast Sunday morning.
Leader and Yoga Instructor: Robin Haynes
Bluebirds in My Backyard
Saturday, May 5
9-10 a.m.
Age level: All Ages
Call to register
Nathan Lewis, age 10, will present a PowerPoint program about his experience monitoring and maintaining 15 Eastern Bluebird nest boxes. During 2010 and 2011, Nathan collected data for all of these boxes, which fledged 141 birds! This presentation is part of the TN Bluebird Trails spring meeting.
Leader: Nathan Lewis
A Rotten Place to Live
Tuesday, May 8
10 a.m.-noon
Ages: 6-12 years
Registration opens: April 24
What's so great about an old rotting log? It is the cuddliest of quarters for cute (and quirky) creatures! Join us for exploration and stories as we study the various microhabitats in our Park.
Leaders: Rachel Koch and Melissa Donahue
Volunteer Spirit
Saturday, May 12
10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Age level: Adults
Call to register
Catch the volunteer spirit. Spend a day giving back to the Parks that you love by lending a helping hand as we work on projects to restore and preserve this great natural area.
Leader: Paul Fowler
Stay FOUND in the Woods!
Saturday, May 12
10-11 a.m.
Age level: All ages
Registration opens April 27
Families are encouraged to attend this program about summer safety, basic family hiking and camping, and staying found in the woods.
Leader: Vera Vollbrecht
Marvelous Mushrooms
Friday, May 18
9-11a.m.
Age level: Adults, 13+
Call to register
We will explore a damp shady hollow and discover the weird world of mushrooms.
Leader: Deb Beazley
Wiggly Worms
Friday, May 18
10-11 a.m. or 1-2 p.m.
Age Level: 3-5 years
Registration opens May 3
The way they wiggle makes us giggle. Come to the nature center to learn more about wiggly, wonderful worms.
Leaders: Melissa Donahue and Rachel Koch
Mushrooms in May
Saturday, May 19
10-11:30 a.m.
Age level: All ages
Registration opens May 4
In the cool dark hollows of Warner Park mushrooms seem to appear like magic. Spend some time discovering this mysterious fungus.
Leader: Melissa Donahue
Get LOST in Percy Warner Park!
Saturday, May 26
10 a.m.-noon
Age level: All ages
Registration opens May 11
Join the naturalist to explore the closed road in Percy Warner Park.
Leader: Heather Gallagher
Full Moon Pickin’ Party
Friday, June 1
7-11 p.m.
Age level: All ages
Call (615) 370-8053 or visit www.friendsofwarnerparks.com for tickets and information.
Join us for an evening of bluegrass under the light of a full moon. Come ready to play and join a jam session or come to eat and tap your toes. All proceeds help to protect & preserve the Parks.
Coordinators: Maggie Odle and Paul Fowler
Summer Saturdays: National Trails Day
Saturday, June 2
9:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
Age level: All ages
Registration not required
It’s about more than hiking now: everyone can participate in National Trails Day. Warner Park offers dirt trails for running, strolling, and hiking, as well as paved trails for power walking, roller blading, and biking! Cover the greatest distance (from the Sun to Pluto) during our shortest hike (less than one mile!) and discover the solar system. Learn your trees by walking the Meadow Tree Trail or Old Roadway Tree Trail in Edwin Warner Park. Maps and information will be available at the Nature Center all day!
Leaders: Nature Center Staff
Solar Viewing and the Transit of Venus
Tuesday, June 5
4:30-8:30 p.m.
Age level: All ages
Registration opens: May 22
Experience a “once in a lifetime event” as the planet Venus passes in front of our Sun between 5 p.m. (CDT) and sunset, about 8 p.m. Astronomers will be on hand with solar-viewing telescopes.
Leaders: Nature Center Staff
The Annual Children’s Picnic
Saturday, June 9
11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Age level: All ages
Registration not required
Come celebrate children of all ages getting outside during our Annual Children’s Picnic. Through puppet shows, live music, nature related games, crafts, face-painting and more, we will celebrate the Warner Parks with lots of family FUN! Call Friends of Warner Parks at 370-8053 for information or to volunteer.
Leaders: Friends of Warner Parks and Nature Center Staff
Jr. Naturalist Kick-Off: Marvelous Mammals!
Wednesday, June 13
10 a.m.-noon
Age level 6-12 years
Registration opens May 30
Calling all junior naturalists! Join us as we kick-off the summer with an exploration of the mammals that call Tennessee home. Through games, crafts and other fun activities, we’ll learn fun facts about our furry friends and be on our way to earning a beautiful fox patch.
Leaders: Nature Center Staff
Bats in Flight
Friday, June 15
7-8:30 p.m.
Age level: All ages
Registration opens June 1
They swoop, dive and eat over 500 mosquitoes an hour. Come to the nature center to learn about this remarkable mammal and perhaps catch a glimpse of bats in flight.
Leaders: Vera Vollbrecht and Melissa Donahue
Summer Saturdays: Celebrate Mammals
Saturday, June 16
9:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
Age level: All ages
Registration not required
Mammals are some of Warner Parks most amazing animals and the theme of this year’s Junior Naturalist program! Stop by today to learn all about our fun, furry friends, go on a scavenger hunt, puzzle over teeth and feet, and make a mammal craft to take home.
Leaders: Nature Center Staff
Let’s Go Fishing
Tuesday, June 20
10 a.m.-noon
Age level: 6-12 years
Registration opens June 5
Join us as we visit a beautiful section of the Little Harpeth River that winds through Edwin Warner Park. Program participants will make a bamboo cane fishing pole while being introduced to the sport of fishing.
Leaders: Warner Parks Staff
A Walk through the Organic Garden
Friday, June 22
9-10:30 a.m.
Age level: Adults
Call to register
If you’ve always wanted to garden but just didn’t know how, now is your chance to learn the ABC’s of gardening! Abundant vegetables and flowers await your tour of the Nature Center’s organic garden.
Leader: Deb Beazley
The Pond at Night
Friday, June 22
7:30- 8:30 p.m.
Age level: All ages
Registration opens June 7
Come enjoy the pond at sunset and take an easy hike to indulge in the sights and sounds of the night!
Leader: Heather Knight and Nature Center Staff
Summer Saturdays: The Great Backyard Campout
Saturday, June 23
9:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
Age level: All ages
Registration not required
Learn all about family camping and how to enjoy being outdoors this summer!Set up a tent and learn about summer hazards such as poison ivy, snakes, and chiggers, and how to stay found in the woods.
Leader: Nature Center Staff
Drawing and Painting the Warner Parks with the FRIST
Wednesday, June 27
10 a.m.-noon
Age level: 6-12 years
Registration opens June 12
Bring your artistic skills to this partnership program with the FRIST Center for the Visual Arts.
We will explore the work of the artist John Constable, whose paintings are on exhibit, then draw and paint the Warner Parks landscape. *All program participants will be invited for free to visit the John Constable exhibit.
Leaders: FRIST Center and Nature Center Staff
Nature’s Art
Friday, June 29
6-7:30 p.m.
Age level: All ages
Registration opens July 14
Go for a stroll with a naturalist to discover designs and art in nature!
Leaders: Nature Center Staff
Summer Saturdays: Art in the Park
Saturday, June 30
9:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
Age level: All ages
Registration not required
Try your hand at art in the Park. Come out and enjoy a day of creativity and participate in various nature-themed art stations inspired by nature.
Leaders: Nature Center Staff
Full Moon Pickin’ Party
Friday July 6
7-11 p.m .
Age level: All ages
Call (615) 370-8053 or visit www.friendsofwarnerparks.com for tickets and information.
Join us for an evening of bluegrass under the light of a full moon. Come ready to play and join a jam session or come to eat and tap your toes. All proceeds help to protect & preserve the Parks.
Coordinators: Maggie Odle & Paul Fowler
Summer Saturdays: The Colors of Summer
Saturday, July 7
9:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
Age level: All ages
Registration not required
Zinnias are blooming pink, orange, and red, and purple hyacinth bean vine climbs high on the trellis in the garden. Leaves, every shade of green, cover the trees and shrubs in the woods and fields. The Nature Center will offer activities to encourage exploration of the color wheel all day!
Leaders: Nature Center Staff
Incredible Insects!
Wednesday, July 11
10 a.m.-noon
Age level 6-12 years
Registration opens June 27
Summer and insects go hand in hand. Come join the fun as we explore this diverse group of animal life with games, crafts and a hike.
Coordinators: Nature Center Staff
Insects of the Night XIX!
Friday, July 13
7-9 p.m.
Age Level: All ages
Call to register
It’s Friday the 13th, a good night to come decked out as your favorite scary insect! Perhaps a fire ant, paper wasp or doodle bug with giant jaws? Of course, cute little ladybugs and fireflies are welcome to the insect parade too! Join us for games, crafts,
puppet shows, night hikes and more!
Coordinators: Nature Center Staff and Volunteers
Summer Saturdays: Insect Investigations
Saturday, July 14
9:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
Age level: All ages
Registration not required
Insects can be found everywhere and they range from scary to delightful. Stop by the nature center to see insects on display and learn more about their habits, life cycles and classification.
Leaders: Nature Center Staff
Creek Creeping
Wednesday, July 18
10 a.m.-noon
Age level: 6-12 years
Registration opens July 3
Meet us at the Little Harpeth River to play in the water and have fun exploring! We’ll discover insects, crayfish, snakes and more.
Leaders: Nature Center Staff
Community Campfire
Friday, July 20
7:30-9:30 p.m.
Age level: All ages
Registration opens July 6
Join your neighbors and come discover the Indian Springs picnic area in Percy Warner Park while sharing the glow of the campfire. The recently renovated historical shelters by Friends of Warner Parks will be a highlight not to be missed.
Leaders: Lisa King & Warner Parks Staff
Summer Saturdays: Water Wonders
Saturday, July 21
9:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
Age level: All ages
Registration not required
When it’s hot outside, we head for the water, so why not learn more about the species that spend most (or all) of their time there. Find out about the fascinating world of water and the aquatic life it supports through activities and splashing exploration.
Leaders: Nature Center Staff
Happy Trails
Saturday, July 21
10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Age level: Adults, 13+
Call to register
Get outside and get dirty! Lend a helping hand and join the crew as we work to restore and maintain our trails. We will be hiking to problem spots along the trail and with your help, working to make them better.
Leader: Paul Fowler
Garden Cooking
Wednesday, July 25
10 a.m.-noon
Age level: 6-12 years
Registration opens July 10
Calling all garden fresh chefs! The vegetables in the garden are ripe and ready. Join us in the garden as we pick and prepare a fresh garden feast.
Leaders: Nature Center Staff
Family Fresh Feast
Friday, July 27
5:30-7:30 p.m.
Age level: All ages
Registration opens July 12
Do you enjoy preparing meals with your family? Do you love the taste of garden fresh vegetables? Gather your family around the table as we pick, chop and toss our way to a summer supper.
Leader: Melissa Donahue and Heather Knight
Summer Saturdays: Garden Investigation
Saturday, July 28
9:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
Age level: All ages
Registration not required
The Organic Garden is more than plants. Drop by the Nature Center to tour the Organic Garden, explore for insects and spiders, and of course, enjoy some vegetables snacks!
Leader: Nature Center Staff
Searching for Spiders
Friday, August 3
7:30-8:30 p.m.
Age level: All ages
Registration opens July 19
Bring your flashlight for a foray into the fields and forest looking for our eight-legged jewels of the night!
Leaders: Vera Vollbrecht and Nature Center Staff
Canoe or Kayak the Harpeth River
Saturday, August 4
9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Age level: 12 years and up
Registration opens July 20
This trip is designed to introduce participants to the sport of paddling. This is a perfect opportunity to explore a local river and learn the basic skills you need to paddle safely and have fun.
Leaders: Lisa King and Chris Guerin
Summer Saturdays: Spectacular Spiders
Saturday, August 4
9:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
Age level: All ages
Registration not required
Spiders are not spooky! Visit us to learn about and look for these amazing arthropods and make a spider of your very own to take home.
Leaders: Nature Center Staff
Summer Saturdays: Astronomy Adventures
Saturday, August 11
9:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
Age level: All ages
Registration not required
Hike the Solar System today and stop by to learn all about the planets, stars, moon, and more. Be sure to sign up for the Summer Star Party, too!
Leaders: Nature Center Staff
Splash the Trash
Saturday, August 11
10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Age level: Adults
Call to register
The dog days of summer are here! You should beat the heat, get wet and have fun by volunteering to help clean up the banks and waterway and waterway of our Little Harpeth River.
Leader: Paul Fowler
Summer Star Party
Saturday, August 11
8:30-10:30 p.m.
Age level: All ages
Call to register
Enjoy a starry sky and the last of the Perseid meteors at the Special Events Field!
Coordinators: Kris McCall of Sudekum Planetarium, Barnard-Seyfert Astronomical Society, and Warner Park staff
Storytime Under the Beech Tree
Friday, August 17
10:30-11 a.m.
Age level: Pre-K
Registration opens August 2
Join us for nature stories under the giant beech tree!
Leaders: Nature Center Staff and Volunteers
Summer Saturdays: Celebrate Hummingbirds
Saturday, August 18
9:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
Age level: All Ages
Registration not required
Hummingbird migration is in full swing! Join the Nature Center staff and volunteers in sending off our ruby-throated visitors. We will have banding demonstrations, children’s activities, and hummingbird exhibits to teach you about our smallest bird.
Leaders: Nature Center Staff
Summer Saturdays: Signs of Autumn
Saturday, August 25
9:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
Age level: All ages
Registration not required
The days are getting shorter, neo-tropical birds are migrating, and fall wildflowers are blooming. The dry summer months are causing leaves to become thick and coarse, and insects fill the fields. Come explore signs of fall!
Leaders: Nature Center Staff
Full Moon Pickin’ Party
Friday, August 31
7-11 p.m.
Age level: All ages
Call (615) 370-8053 or visit www.friendsofwarnerparks.com for tickets and information.
Join us for an evening of bluegrass under the light of a full moon. Come ready to play and join a jam session or come to eat and tap your toes. All proceeds help to protect & preserve the Parks.
Coordinators: Maggie Odle & Paul Fowler