Wildlife Photograph

What's in Store for Ijams Members this Winter?

Thursday November 03, 2005
Read a little about what Ijams members have been up to...and what's planned for them in the future.

Being a member of Ijams is a special thing. Whether you’ve been a member for many years or just a few months you should be proud that you’ve made the choice to support one of the best nature centers across the nation if not the world! We sincerely appreciate your membership contribution, which allows us to fulfill our mission. In return, we like to give something back. Our series of members only programs allow us to do just that.
As we near the end of the year, I thought it would a good time to look back at some of the wonderful members-only programs we’ve done this year. I say “we” in the royal sense; it is Lyn Bales who should take all the credit because he plans these programs just for you. If you feel you’ve missed out on these great programs, fear not; Lyn has lots in store for you in 2006. Back in February, a group of 30 members traveled to Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge to participate in the Sandhill Crane Festival at Birchwood, Tennessee. During the spring and summer, Lyn led numerous trail and greenway walks at Ijams and Seven Islands Refuge and organized a trek to Elkmont in the Smokies to see the famous synchronized fireflies. At the Nature Center, we also hosted local and regional experts including Todd Freeberg, who spoke on chickadees and Chris Mahoney, from Chattanooga, who taught us all about hummingbirds.
As we enter the cold winter months we will bring the activities indoors. Last year we showed the film Fly Away Home and Winged Migration. This season we’ll show David Attenborough’s The Life of Birds. We’ll also feature Nanook of the North, a classic documentary about life in the frozen north. In early December, in preparation of two new indoor exhibit installations slated for spring 2006, I will present a special program detailing the history and rediscovery of the ivory-billed woodpecker and the history of the extinct passenger pigeon. Next year will also be packed full of similar members-only experiences. In January, Lyn hopes to secure some limited spots to take a group of members on a special excursion up to Dale Hollow Lake to view bald eagles in their winter habitat. In February, we’re planning to head back down to Hiwassee to revisit the sandhill cranes while later in the spring we’ll visit Chota, the sacred Cherokee site, to hear whip-poor-will’s and chuck-will’s-widows. In these busy times it is hard for many of us to make time to enjoy good company and of course the great outdoors. So relax, and join us at Ijams for some fun and informative activities. Finally, if you have any special request, just let us know!

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