Nature lovers and outdoor buffs will want to circle October 12-13 on their calendars as the 21st Annual Wildlife Weekend, presented by the City of Bristol, Tennessee Parks & Recreation and Friends of Steele Creek Nature Center and Park, returns to Bristol’s Steele Creek Park.
The jam-packed program, which will take place at the Nature Center, kicks off Friday, Oct. 12 with a welcome reception at 6:30 p.m. Directly afterward, at 7 p.m., will be one of the highlights of the weekend, the 2018 Photography Awards Show, which features photos taken at Steele Creek by local, amateur photographers of all ages. Entries will be displayed throughout the weekend and prizes will be awarded based on the general interest, creativity, and technical merits of the photos.
Friday evening’s activities will conclude with a presentation entitled “The Natural History and Naturalists of the Southern Appalachians” from Dr. Andy Jones with the Cleveland Museum of Natural History at 7:30 p.m. in the Nature Center.
Saturday, Oct. 13 will be filled with various kids’ activities and nature walks, while a number of area experts will be on hand to share their knowledge on a variety of topics. The day’s events include:
9 a.m. – Early Bird Walk (Dr. Andy Jones)
9:30 a.m. – Bird Banding (Richard Lewis, Rack Cross)
10:30 a.m. – Creepy Crawlies – Arthropods for All Ages (Cade Campbell)
Noon – Geology Rocks (Jeremy Stout)
12:45 p.m. – Reptiles and Amphibians (Lance Jessee)
2 p.m. – Fall Plants and Wildflowers (Don Holt)
Exhibits and activities that will be open from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday include Fossil Casting (Mick Whitelaw), Birds of Prey (Bays Mountain), Bug Display, Skins & Skulls (Friends of Steele Creek Nature Center), and Nature Crafts for the Birds (Bristol Bird Club).
All programs are free with park admission. For more information, call 423-989-5616 or visit our website www.bristoltn.org.
