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Conservation Days

NOTICE: We were unable to hold CONSERVATION DAYS in 2020 or 2021. Please check back for future plans.

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Building Habitat in a Fragmented World:

Activities, speakers, and exhibits focused on engaging with the natural world

May 8 - 9, 2020

Wilderness Station, Barfield Crescent Park

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.

Friday, May 8, 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 several different local ecosystems. In addition to these Friday hikes, there are several on Saturday. Check out these and other Saturday activities, below!

Glade Walk, Siegel Park

Cedar Glade at Siegel Park, Murfreesboro, TN

with Dr. Jeffery Walck, Middle TN State University

Explore a small yet diverse pocket glade. Meet at Siegel Park Soccer Field Parking map

Nickajack Wetlands Walk

Hike at Nickajack Wetland, Murfreesboro, TN.

With Rachel Singer, Outdoor Murfreesboro

Explore a 60-acre State-Protected wetland habitat. Meet at Nickajack Wetlands off Red Mile Road map

Bluebird Nest Box Monitoring

with Dawn Thomas, Outdoor Murfreesboro

Learn how to properly care and record data for nest boxes on the Bluebird Trail at Barfield Park. map

Saturday May 9

Speakers Activities Exhibitors

Group of adults looking up into trees through binoculars. Autumn

7:30-9:00 am: Birding Hike

With Tennessee Ornithological Society - Nashville Chapter and Emily Moorman, Outdoor Murfreesboro

Start the day off with a bird identification hike on the Barfield Park back country trail. Meet at the Wilderness Station. map

9:00 am - 4:00 pm Exhibit Tables and Native Plant Sale Open (Wilderness Station)

Details below

Speakers:

9:30 - 10:30 a.m.
11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
1:00 - 2:00 p.m.

9:30 - 10:30 a.m.

9:30 - 9:40 a.m.
Outdoor Murfreesboro Education and Outreach

Eric Fann, Program Coordinator, Outdoor Murfreesboro

Dr. Brian Miller, Middle TN State Univ. Opens in new window

9:40 - 10:30 a.m.
Habitat Needs, Local Habitats, and Current Challenges Facing the Inner Basin

Dr. Brian Miller, Middle Tennessee State University

11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

11:30 - 11:40 a.m.
Building Outdoor Murfreesboro

Rachel Singer, Assistant Director, Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation

Margeaux Emery, University of TN Institute of Agriculture Opens in new window

11:40 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Building a Backyard Habitat

Margeaux Emery, University of TN Institute of Agriculture, Senior Writer/Producer; Knox County Master Gardener

1:00 - 2:00 p.m.

Kristin Hopkins- Outdoor Murfreesboro Natural Resource Division Opens in new window

1:00-1:10 p.m.
Natural Resource Management in Parks

Kristin Hopkins, Natural Resource Manager, Outdoor Murfreesboro

1:10-2:00 p.m.
TN Highway Right-of-Ways: Corridors to Biodiversity Conservation
Cooper Breeden, Southeastern Grasslands Initiative & TN Plant Conservation Alliance

Activities - Choose your own adventure!

From hikes to hands-on workshops, Conservation Day activities are led by naturalists, professional natural resource managers, and other knowledgeable folks who will share their expertise with you.

10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
2:00 - 3:00 p.m.

10:30 - 11:30 a.m.

Constructing a Rain Garden - Demonstration
Lee Ann Faust, Sumner County UT Cooperative Extension Agent.

Local Habitats - Hike
Brian Miller, MTSU (Tentative)

Hike the trail through the woods behind the Wilderness Station and learn about the various animals, plants, and habitat types that are found there.

Build Your Own Bluebird House - Activity
Outdoor Murfreesboro StaffBuild a cedar bluebird house for your yard. No place to put one up yourself? Build one and donate it to our bluebird trail! Purchase kits ($20) and register on-site Saturday morning. Max 15 participants in workshop.

2:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Planting natives in your garden - proper planting and placement - Demonstration/Workshop
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.

iNaturalist - Citizen Science in Your Pocket - Demonstration and Hike
Eric Fann, Outdoor Murfreesboro

Meet in the Wilderness Station retreat room.

Remnants of Lost Habitat on the Side of the Road - Roadside tour
Cooper Breeden, Southeastern Grasslands Initiative

Pre-register on-site Saturday afternoon: Only 12 spots available. Meet in the parking lot in front of the Wilderness Station.

Managing for Diversity in Cedar Glades and Barrens: Flat Rock Natural Area - Hike
Sam King, TN Department of Environment and Conservation

Meet at Flat Rock Natural Area at 2:30 for a 90-minute hike through one of Tennessee’s most ecologically significant natural areas. (2:30-4:00 pm)

Exhibits :

9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Meet the people who work to improve wildlife habitat in the region. Learn about their projects and find volunteer opportunities and other ways to support their efforts.