Wildlife Photograph

WWW celebrates first 20 years

Saturday December 26, 2009
Ijams a part of the Smokies' event for 5th year

 

Happy New Year! Several local milestones will be marked in 2010. In addition to our own 100th anniversary, Wilderness Wildlife Week (WWW) in Pigeon Forge will celebrate its first twenty years. 

The brainchild of nature photographer and naturalist Ken Jenkins, WWW was originated at a time of the year when things were traditionally quiet in Pigeon Forge. It also coincides with the onset of cabin fever, which often settles in after the holidays.

“There’s nothing in the country like it,” says Louise Zepp, editor of The Tennessee Conservationist. WWW offers activities for all ages, attracting thousands of nature lovers to Pigeon Forge each year. The International Festivals & Events Association has recognized the event for its environmental and educational efforts. 

This year, WWW runs from January 9 through January 16. During that time, visitors choose from more than 100 experts sharing their knowledge of the outdoors in more than 175 seminars, lectures and workshops. (Pack your lunch, Sunday, January 10 has 28 sessions alone.) So much is crammed into the event’s eight-day run that it’s impossible to do it all. Perhaps this is what keeps people coming back year after year.

And even though it’s in January, all of the activities are not indoors. This year’s schedule offers more than 50 guided walks and hikes. Also, on Tuesday, January 12, there's AppalachiaFest with authentic Smoky Mountain musicians.

This will be the fifth year that Ijams will be involved, both as an exhibitor and with two presenters. Paul James and Stephen Lyn Bales will both do presentations.

Identifying Local Birds of Prey: Sun., Jan. 10, 11:30 a.m.
Is that a hawk or a falcon, a golden or bald eagle? How many species of owl can be found in the Tennessee Valley? Join Stephen Lyn for some quick tips on how to identify the local birds of prey. Program is free.

Lost Species: Mon., Jan. 11, 9 to 10 a.m.
Join Paul on a wander through recent history to discover the amazing stories surrounding extinct species such as the passenger pigeon, Carolina parakeet, great auk, ivory-billed woodpecker, thylacine, dodo and more. Program is free. 

Both programs are at the Music Road Hotel Convention Center in Pigeon Forge.
 

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