Nature lovers are invited to Steele Creek Park on Oct. 11-12 for the 22nd Annual Wildlife Weekend featuring a photography contest, educational programs, and an up-close look at the natural beauty of the park.
The annual event is presented by the City of Bristol, Tennessee’s Department of Parks & Recreation and Friends of Steele Creek Nature Center & Park. The event begins Friday, Oct. 11, at 6:30 p.m. with a reception, followed by the 2019 Photography Contest Awards at 7 p.m. The contest and show will feature photos taken within the park by amateur photographers of all ages. The deadline to submit a photo is Oct. 1.
Friday’s final event is a presentation at 7:30 p.m. titled “The Ecology and Importance of Wetlands” by Dr. Joe Bidwell, chair of the Department of Biological Sciences at East Tennessee State University. He will be joined on a wetland walk on Saturday by Associate Professor Tom Laughlin, also of ETSU.
The following day, Saturday, Oct. 12, the event continues with a long list of activities and nature walks presented by area experts. The day’s events include:
9 a.m. – Early Bird Walk to the Banding Station with Larry McDaniel
9:30 a.m. – Bird Banding with Richard Lewis and Rack Cross
10:30 a.m. – Rooster Front Wetland Walk with Dr. Joe Bidwell and Dr. Tom Laughlin
Noon – Creepy Crawlies: Arthropods for All Ages with Cade Campbell
1 p.m. – Reptiles with Lance Jessee
2 p.m. – Honey Bee Hike with Jeremy Stout
3 p.m. – Bluebird Box Walk with Adrianna Nelson
Additionally, exhibits and activities will be ongoing from noon to 4 p.m. at the Nature Center. These will focus on fossils, skins and skulls, bugs, live birds of prey, nature crafts, monarchs, wetlands, hawk watching, and the Virginia Master Gardeners.
All programs are free with park admission. For more information, call 423-989-5616 or visit our website www.bristoltn.org
