TN Naturalist @ Ijams class three: Tennessee trees

The 2015 class of the TN Naturalist @ Ijams met last Saturday for their third in a series of 12 classes.

With the trees now leafing out, and the lush green canopy returning to the nature Center it was a good time to discuss Tennessee trees. including the ever present State Tree, the tuliptree. The tall pioneer species is often misidentified as a tulip poplar, when in fact, it's in the magnolia family. As the late Dr. Aaron Sharp, professor of botany at UT, used to say, "it's no more of a poplar than I am."

Ijams senior naturalist Peg Beute taught the class which included a walk to the Homesite and overlook.

This is the third year that Ijams is involved in this state-wide program. In addition to the 12 classes, students must put in 40 hours of volunteer work at Ijams or elsewhere. After all the classes and volunteer requirements are met, the students become certified Tennessee Naturalists. 

- Stephen Lyn Bales

Click below links for a look back at the first two classes

Ferns and Wildflowers

Introduction

Festive 13th Annual Spring Plant Sale held at Ijams

Flowers. Trees. Shrubs. Herbs. Crafts.

The 13th Annual Spring Plant Festival had it all. 

For people looking for more color and greenery for their yard or home, this was the place to be last Saturday. We had native plants from many local nurseries. Plus, garden vegetables, outdoor crafts, pottery, birdhouses, metal works and decorations. 

Plus music by local guitar prodigy Sam Glover.

Proceeds went to benefit Ijams Nature Center’s natural areas and trails.

- Stephen Lyn Bales

Smoky Mountain Orchid Society Show and Sale held at Ijams

The Smoky Mountain Orchid Society Show and Sale was held last weekend at Ijams.

Our Multipurpose Room has never been more colorful! We were thrilled to have them as a part of our Annual Spring Plant Sale.

A variety of orchids were exhibited by various orchid societies from the Southeast. Orchid growers were also present giving tips on growing the delicate flowers in homes and orchid vendors had plants for sale. 

The competition orchids on exhibit were judged by the American Orchid Society. Admission was free.

Some of the vendors present were Ironwood Estates Orchids, Owens Orchids, Marble Branch Farms, T suchibuta Pottery and Oak Knob Orchids.

- Stephen Lyn Bales

Design with Nature the topic of last night's Science Café

Science Café hosted by David Spakes was in session last night at Ijams. This month's topic was Design with Nature with Neil Greenberg, UT Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, on hand to conduct the discussion and followup Q&A.

- Stephen Lyn Bales

Ijams Hiking Club searches for early wildflowers at William Hastie

Last Saturday, the Ijams Hiking Club went searching for early spring woodland wildflowers at William Hastie Natural Area in the Knoxville Urban Wilderness. Wildflower enthusiasts Lynne and Bob Davis lead the way.

Bob writes, "The wildflowers that were in profusion were rue anenome and trout lilies! The glade phlox wasn't quite all out but there were many isolated colonies. All the round-lobed hepatica petals and bloodroot had been knocked off by the rain. Kidney leaf buttercup, yellow trillium, mountain stonecrop and toothworts did show. Saw the leaves of downy plaintain, tipularia and one puttyroot! Solomon seals had their buds hanging down from the stem and a few squawroots were new among last years ears."

TN Naturalists @ Ijams meet for their second class

The 2015 class of the TN Naturalist @ Ijams met last Saturday for their second in a series of 12 classes.

With the early spring ephemeral wildflowers beginning to make their appearance, it was a perfect time to talk about ferns and wildflowers. Toothwort, bloodroot, trout lily were abundant. 

Ijams senior naturalist Peg Beute taught the class which included a walk to the Homesite and down the Discovery Trail. 

This is the third year that Ijams is involved in this state-wide program. In addition to the 12 classes, students must put in 40 hours of volunteer work at Ijams or elsewhere. After all the classes and volunteer requirements are met, the students become certified Tennessee Naturalists.

- Stephen Lyn Bales, Photos by Allen Coggins

Click below link for a look back at the first class

Introduction

Early spring Amphibia active in Ijams' Plaza Pond

Young pond-watcher searches for early spring Amphibia

pssssst! The frogs and newts are out and about in the Plaza Pond in front of the Visitor Center. 

Pass it on!