Ijams Hiking Club kicks off its 2016 season

The Ijams Hiking Club kicked of the 2016 season last Saturday. With special permission from the Legacy Parks Foundation, the group explored a new trail being built on the Wood Property near Ijams. When completed it will become part of the Knoxville Urban Wilderness: South Loop network of trails.
 
Thanks to Eric Johnson for picking out the trail and leading the group and to co-leader Amy Oakey.
 
-Stephen Lyn Bales

And we found a great view of South Knoxville from the top of the ridge.

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Come meet "Wink, the one-eyed screech-owl

Don't worry about the cold. 

It's Valentine's Day. Bring your sweetie out to meet little "Wink," the one-eyed screech-owl, at the Visitor Center. Just one of the free animal programs and chats today at Ijams.

Yes, it's cold but we're open with free animal shows

Educator Lauren Bird with a one-eyed screech-owl

Yes, it's cold. But the snow is gone and we are open. Free animal programs today at 2 and 3 p.m. and tomorrow at 1, 2, 3 and 4 p.m.

Come join us.

Third Owl-ology 101 @ Ijams class held in early January

Photo by Sammi Stoklosa

Our Owl-ology 101 @ Ijams classes with wildlife rehabilitator Lynne McCoy have been so popular this winter, we've hosted four of them. 

The workshops feature owl-themed foods, Lynne's albino snow-white barred owl named Sugar and the dissecting of great horned owl pellets.

Here are some highlight photos from class #3 held in early January. (The February class photos will be posted later.)

- Stephen Lyn Bales. Additional photos by Sammi Stoklosa. 

 

 

Peg is serving breakfast tomorrow at Ijams

If you are heading to Ijams on Saturday morning for a program, hike or simple walkabout, bring your appetite. Each week, Peg’s Kitchen features Ijams’ favorite smilin' cooker Peg Beute. The menu varies each month, but is always delicious so come hungry! The fee for breakfast is $7 for adults and $5 for children (12 and under). For $10, you can get all you can eat! 

Time: 9:30 to 11 a.m. No pre-registration is required.

21st Annual Ijams Seed Swap held last Saturday

Ijams gardener Peg Beute (left) served as the Seed Swap host

February. And it's been cold. It’s been dreary. But, we all know, spring is on the way and the groundhog agreed yesterday. 

Traditionally, this is the time of the year to look forward to better weather and start planning your garden. Whether it’s a backyard plot or a container on your downtown balcony, just what are you going to plant this year?

There was a time when you didn’t buy seeds, you traded for them.

Ijams held its first Seed Swap in 1995. This past Saturday marked our 21st anniversary. Ijams members, friends and visitors came together and brought their favorite seeds, cuttings or bulbs to share with others. Plus there was a lot of gardening talk and hints of spring fever.