Conservation Days
April 22 & 23, 2022
Building Habitat in a Fragmented World:
Activities, speakers, and exhibits focused on engaging with the natural world
Wilderness Station, Barfield Crescent Park (map)
Come learn about local wildlife habitats and backyard habitat improvement projects you can do yourself. Discover citizen science projects and volunteer opportunities in and around Murfreesboro. Meet representatives from organizations working on habitat issues.
Hikes, activities, and information geared towards ages 10 and up.
Volunteer to help out with Conservation Days! A variety of times and tasks are available.
Please check back for updates!
Friday, 3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. — Nature Walks with Naturalists:
Take a hike with an expert and learn about the plants and animals in your choice of several different local ecosystems. There are naturalist-led walks on Saturday, too - see the Saturday activities section, below!
Reserve your spot!
Wildflower Walk - Horseshoe Glade Natural Area
Watershed Walk - Murfreesboro Greenway at Southridge Trailhead
Resource Management Walk - Flat Rock Cedar Glades and Barrens State Natural Area
Resource Management Walk - Stones River National Battlefield
Saturday
Speakers Activities Exhibits throughout the day. Native Plant Sale until 1 pm, Nature Walks in the morning and afternoon, and Food trucks.
Exhibits (9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.) are along the road by the Wilderness Station, and the Plant Sale (9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.) and food trucks (lunchtime) are in the Wilderness Station parking lot. These areas are closed to vehicles from 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
7:30-9:00 am: Early Bird Walks in Barfield Backcountry
Reserve your spot! Preregistration required.
| Purchase locally-native plants to enhance your landscaping and support backyard wildlife, then park them in our plant corral while you take part in Conservation Days activities. (Be sure to catch the planting workshops!) 9 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.: Wilderness Station parking lot Come early for the best selection! More about MIPP, the Murfreesboro Indigenous Plant Project |
9:30 - 9:40 a.m.
Outdoor Murfreesboro Education and Outreach:
Dawn Thomas, Outdoor Murfreesboro, Wilderness Station Coordinator
9:40 - 10:30 a.m.
Habitat Needs, Local Habitats, and Current Challenges Facing the Inner Nashville Basin:
Pandy Upchurch, TN Wildlife Resources Agency, Assistant Chief of Biodiversity (retired)
11:30 - 11:40 a.m.
Building Outdoor Murfreesboro:
Rachel Singer, Outdoor Murfreesboro /Assistant Director, Murfreesboro Parks & Recreation
11:40 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Building a Backyard Habitat:
Lindsey Phillips, Graduate Research Assistant, Dep't of Forestry, Wildlife, and Fisheries, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
1:00-1:10 p.m.
Natural Resource Management in Parks
Kristin Hopkins, Natural Resource Manager, Outdoor Murfreesboro Natural Resources Division
1:10-3:00 p.m.
What a Relief! Habitats from high to low and a leisurely introduction to Barfield topography.
David Ian Withers, Staff Zoologist, Tennessee Natural Heritage Program
Get out of the classroom for a leisurely hike from the Wilderness Station to the banks of the West Fork Stones River and a review of the importance of topography in our daily lives and that of the myriad of life forms we will find along the way.
Constructing a Rain Garden-Demonstration
Nature Hike - Barfield Backcountry
Build Your Own Bluebird House - Activity
Planting Natives in Your Garden - proper planting and placement - Demonstration
Rutherford County Master Gardeners
Learn how to get native plants off to a good start in your yard in this hands-on demonstration in our Native Garden.
Nature Hike - Barfield Backcountry
Randy Hedgepath, TN State Naturalist
Hike the trail through the Barfield Backcountry and learn about the various plants and animals found there.
Register on-site on April 23
Pollinator Projects: Seed Bombs and Bee Houses - Activity
Murfreesboro Girl Scout Troop 354 Silver Award Project
Join us for Make & Take seed-bomb and bee house projects to support monarch butterflies, bees, and other pollinators.
Wilderness Station Nature Center & Gift Shop
The Wilderness Station is home to many education animals, including owls, snakes, turtles, and more. There are free educational backpacks available for checkout, and the gift shop sells nature-themed toys and books, snacks and drinks, and local artwork, jewelry, and pottery.
Citizen Science for Conservation Info Table
Learn about some of the apps and projects that allow individuals to contribute to good stewardship of natural spaces.
Next to the Outdoor Murfreesboro and Event Information tables in front of the Wilderness Station throughout the day.
Eco Printing Demonstration
Learn about a beautiful and unique artistic medium known as eco-printing. We will be using resources foraged from the forest to create works of art.
Next to the Outdoor Murfreesboro and Event Information tables in front of the Wilderness Station throughout the day.
Food Trucks
Take a break and refuel at one of the food trucks on site for the event:
Wilderness Station parking lot.