Wildlife Photograph

Annual Special Events

River Rescue - April 5th, 2008

The piles may be shrinking, but trash is still stinking up the shores along the Tennessee River. With your help Ijams Nature Center will stop it! River Rescue is a community wide program that coordinates the pick-up of debris and litter along the 50-mile shoreline of the Tennessee River from its headwaters to Fort Loudon Dam. Though litterbugs continue to leave a mess, River Rescue has made a huge impact on the overall quality of the Tennessee River. A cleaner river means healthier habitats for all creatures that live in and around the river, including human beings! This year's River Rescue is April 5th, 2008. To volunteer this year or for more information contact Alison at 865-577-4717 ext. 24.

WaterFest - May

WaterFest is an annual, day-long festival at Ijams Nature Center for area students that focuses on environmental and water quality education and outdoor activities. WaterFest is designed to teach area students the importance of maintaining healthy watersheds. In the past the event has been attended by more than 900 students and educators from 15 different schools. Exhibits at Waterfest teach participants about local watersheds, healthy wetland ecosystems and aquatic life found in the waters of the Tennessee Valley. WaterFest activities include papermaking, launching water rockets, creating earth parfaits and designing water hats. Also included in this year's event was a community service tree-planting project. WaterFest is an activity of The Water Quality Forum which was established in 1990 and is a cooperative network of agencies, nonprofit organizations and citizens working to improve the health of the waterways in East Tennessee in accordance with the goals of the Clean Water Act.

Native Plant Sale and Garden Festivals - April & October

Usually held in April and October every year, Ijams’ Native Plant Sale and Garden Festivals help sustain East Tennessee’s natural beauty by encouraging the use of native species in our own backyards; native species require less maintenance and provide shelter and food for our native creatures. Native Plant Sales feature regional nurseries specializing in native species along with craft booths, gardening workshops, kids’ activities, live music, food and more. Native Plant Sales are one Ijams’ most important fundraisers; the proceeds benefit Ijams Nature Center Education Programs, which educate all East Tennesseans about the importance of preserving our environment. Admission is free.

Reuse, Reduce, Recycle Yard Sale - June 14th, 2008 8:00 am - 2:00 pm

In this case, one man's trash really is another man's treasure. The Yard Sale is one of Ijams' largest fund-raisers and boasts thousands of donated items all for sale at bargain basement prices! You'll find tools and toys, baskets and blenders, toasters and tons more! Every year the loot is a little different, but isn't digging around for that perfect purchase half the fun? In partnership with Junk Bee Gone, Ijams is offering computer, plastic and metal recycling (NO gas tanks of any kind!) the day of our big Yard Sale, and then receive 10% of any purchase at the sale. All proceeds go to the Ijams education department.

 

Symphony in the Park - September 7, 2008

Symphony in the Park is one of Knoxville's most unique and longstanding traditions. The event, which began in 1985, features the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra performing outdoors against a backdrop of natural beauty at Ijams Nature Center. The evening is the highlight of the fall social calendar and attracts 400+ prominent guests who enjoy gourmet fare and bidding on fabulous auction items. This year's special guest artist is Ashley Cleveland, three time Grammy Award winner for Best Rock Gospel Album. For further details on Symphony in the Park, contact Sally Judiscak at sjudiscak@ijams.org or (865) 577-4717 ext. 17.