Junior Naturalists

Spring 2025 Junior Naturalist Classes


$25/ adult / child pair

$15 additional adult (ages 14+)

$12 additional child (13 and under) 

Tickets to each class are sold separately


Junior Naturalist classes are designed for ages 8 - 13 accompanied by an adult. This is not a drop-off program.


Wildflower Wonderland

Saturday, April 19 |  10 - 11:30 am


Learn about the wonders of spring wildflowers, where to find them and how to identify them using characteristics like flower and leaf shape. We'll learn why a flower is more than a pretty face - they have important jobs in the forest. This program includes a short wildflower hike. 


We will provide a basic checklist of common wildflowers, but participants are welcome to bring a field guide as well.



REGISTER for WILDFLOWERS

Let's Go Birding!

Saturday, March 29 | 9 - 10:30 am


Birding is a great way for families to spend time together outside! Come join us for a family-friendly bird walk and find out more about the birds of Tennessee. We'll go over easy tips for identification, practice using binoculars, and go for a bird scavenger hunt along the trails. 


Bring your binoculars! Don't have a pair? We will have a limited number of binoculars to borrow. We will provide a basic checklist of common birds, but participants are welcome to bring a field guide as well.


REGISTER for BIRDING

 

Note: To protect the wildlife, we do not permit pets on the Sanctuary grounds.

 


 

REFUND & CANCELLATION POLICY:

 

  • REFUND POLICY: There are no refunds for programs you cannot attend, however you may transfer your ticket to a friend, colleague or family member by calling us prior to the program date.
  • CANCELLATION: Programs are rain or shine. We will, however, cancel a program if Williamson County is under a severe weather warning issued by the National Weather Service. Participants will be notified of cancellations by email. If a program is cancelled, you will receive a credit toward a future program.

 


 

FOR EVERYONE's SAFETY:

 

  • Please stay home if you are not feeling well or were recently exposed to someone with a respiratory illness.
  • Restrooms. Our outdoor portable toilets each have hand sanitizers inside.
  • Please bring a refillable water bottle. We do not have a communal water fountain.
  • Insect repellant is recommended April - October.

 

By Mary Catherine Mousourakis February 21, 2025
Mother's Day Hootenanny with Farmer Jason Saturday, May 10 10 am - 12:30 pm Music from 11 am - 12 pm $10 per person Ages 2 and under FREE Join us for a family-friendly Mothers' Day Hootenanny starring award-winning Americana songwriter and musician Farmer Jason . (Also known as Jason Ringenberg of Jason and the Scorchers.) For over 20 years, Farmer Jason has been delighting audiences with songs about farm life, nature and animals. His fun and engaging performances include sing-alongs, dancing and lessons about ecology and nature geared towards children 2 - 8 years old. Arrive early to visit our owls and enjoy hands-on kids' activities. Music starts at 11 am.
By Thomas Conner April 25, 2024
Get your garden ready for spring! Choose from a selection of native seeds, perennials, trees, shrubs, grasses and vines. Click here for an inventory list. Quantities are limited. Stock is subject to change. All sales are final. Online Pre-Sale: May 6 - 13 Pre-orders must be picked up on Friday, May 16 b etween 8 am - 2 pm In-Person Event: Saturday, May 17 10 am - 12:30 pm Proceeds benefit
April 27, 2022
2025 Family Firefly Hikes June 20 & 27 July 18 All Hikes: 7 - 8:30 pm $25/Adult + Child pair, $15 additional adult, $12 additional child Suitable for Ages 4+ Children 2 and under FREE. No strollers or wagons. Children must either walk or be carried. Gate opens 1 hour before program start. Program begins promptly at noted time. No late entries. No exceptions. Pack dinner and arrive early to picnic on the grounds. We are a pack-in/pack-out facility. Please carry out your trash. This evening program is designed to introduce young explorers to the wonders of the natural world after dark. Find out what makes owls such good hunters, why a firefly lights up, and how your vision changes in the dark. Meet our owl ambassadors, listen for night sounds, and keep an eye out for nocturnal creatures as we go on a kid-friendly hike through the meadow and orchard. This program includes an easy hike over mostly flat ground with one short hill. Our trails are natural surface and hikers can expect a few spots with uneven terrain. Wear shoes suitable for hiking. Insect repellent is strongly recommended.
By Thomas Conner June 9, 2021
Kids Ages 3 to 5 and Parents
June 5, 2021
Strawberry Moon: June 13 Buck Moon: July 11 Sturgeon Moon: August 8 All Hikes: 7:30 - 9 pm $15/person Age 12+ (minors must be accompanied by an adult) Gate opens 1 hour before program start. Program begins promptly at 7:30. No late entries. No exceptions. Pack dinner and arrive early to picnic on the grounds. We are a pack-in/pack-out facility. Join us as we explore Owl's Hill at sunset and enjoy the sights and sounds of day turning to night. We'll listen for owls, coyotes, and night-singing insects. As the stars come out, we'll look for constellations, planets, and even meteors. Meet our non-releasable owl ambassadors and learn about the adaptations that help nocturnal animals survive. Find out what we can expect to see in the sky that night. After that, we'll head out on the trail to look and listen for the wonders of the night. No flashlights, please! Owl Prowl programs include an easy one-mile hike with some gentle uphill and downhill hiking. Our trails are natural surface, and hikers can expect a few spots with uneven terrain. Wear shoes suitable for hiking. Insect repellent is strongly recommended.
By Thomas Conner January 3, 2021
Saturday, June 14 Event Check In: 9:30 am - 12:30 pm Trails close at 3 pm Cost: $10 Adult (ages 13+), $8 Child (ages 12-5) Children 4 & under free
By Thomas Conner December 24, 2020
Spring 2025 Wildflower Hike Dates March 15 , 22 and 29 March 15 Hike cancelled due to weather April 5, 12, and 19 9:30am-11:30am Cost $15/hiker Ages 14+ The wildflowers are blooming: Spring is here! Come enjoy all the colors this season offers on this expert-led hike. Watch the browns of winter give way to the spectrum of spring while we look for Blue-eyed Mary, Dutchman's Britches, and Spring Beauty. This is a moderately strenuous hike with some hill climbing. Get your tickets online to guarantee your spot! Online ticket sales close at 8 am the day of the hike. Tickets for future dates will remain available for purchase. Walk-up tickets (if available) can be purchased at Owl's Hill the day of the hike.
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