The 2019 season of Oak Ridge Reservation nature walks continues on Sunday, April 14, with a wildflower and old growth forest walk.
More than 1,100 vascular plants, 72 fish, 34 mammals, and more than 200 bird species have been observed on the U.S. Department of Energy reservation. This year, the public is invited to eight nature walks designed to highlight the rich flora and fauna diversity of the ORR and to demonstrate the work being done to sustainably manage and conserve this resource, a press release said. The series closes with a history talk in August.
Reservations for the following events must be made in advance by noon the Thursday prior to each walk by contacting Tracy Clem at (865) 574-5151 ([email protected]). If weather forces postponement of an event, it will be announced on Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Information Line at (865) 574-9836 (i.e. 574-XTEN) at least two hours before the scheduled start of the walk. Children are allowed on the walks; no pets, please.
Sunday, April 14: Wildflower and old growth forest walk
Location: Meet at West Guardhouse, Oak Ridge Turnpike (Hwy 95)
Time: 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Leader: Larry Pounds and Paul Durr (botanists)
Limit: 25
Walking will be off trail, in moderately rough terrain (distance about 1.5 miles). Since this is an off-trail hike in rocky country, participants need to have good balance and stamina. Walkers will see many native spring wildflowers as well as a stand of old growth trees that has thrived for more than 240 years. Dress in layers, wear sturdy shoes, and bring bug spray and water.
Saturday, April 20: Greenways of the ORR and conservation management practices
Location: Meet at North Boundary Greenway trailhead west, Oak Ridge Turnpike (Hwy. 95) near Highway 58 and Highway 95 junction
Time: 9 to 11 a.m.
Leader: Kitty McCracken (ORNL)
Limit: 20
Walking will be mostly along gravel and dirt roads. Dress in layers, wear sturdy shoes, and bring sunscreen, bug spray, and water. Discussions will include conservation efforts on the ORR, management of greenways, and potential citizen science opportunities.
Friday, May 3: Frog calls – Heritage Center Greenway Powerhouse trail
Location: Meet at East Tennessee Technology Park visitors overlook, Oak Ridge Turnpike (Hwy. 58)
Time: 7:30 to 9 p.m.
Leader: Nikki Jones and Sarah Darling (ORNL)
Limit: 25
Visit beaver impounded wetlands and ponds to learn how the staff at ORNL are monitoring frog populations and how to identify local frogs based on calls. Walkers may hear pickerel frogs, spring peepers, and southern chorus frogs as well as others. Walking will be on level dirt and gravel roads (less than 1 mile). Dress in layers, wear sturdy shoes, and bring bug spray and water. A reliable flashlight or headlamp is recommended since the walk will continue after sunset.
Saturday, May 4: Bird nature walk – Freels Bend
Location: Meet at the parking lot behind (i.e. south of) the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education building at the corner of Bethel Valley and Pumphouse Roads
Time: 8 a.m. to noon
Leader: Trent Jett, Sarah Darling, and Neil Giffen (ORNL)
Limit: 25
Walking will be over dirt/gravel roads (distance 1-2 miles). Dress in layers, wear sturdy shoes, and bring bug spray, field guide to birds, binoculars, and water. We should see birds of prey and many sparrows in the extensive native grass fields, migrating warblers in the early successional and mature forested areas, and wading birds in the waters along the Clinch River.
Saturday, May 18: Wildlife habitat nature walk
Location: Meet at the parking lot behind (i.e. south) the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education building at the corner of Bethel Valley and Pumphouse roads in Oak Ridge.
Time: 2 to 4:30 p.m.
Leader: Shannon Young (Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency)
Limit: 20
Have you ever seen a deer foraging in a field or heard a songbird like a field sparrow calling in the distance, and wondered what could be done to help that species of wildlife? Join the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and ORNL on a wildlife management nature walk around Freels Bend at the Oak Ridge Wildlife Management Area. Discuss game species, species of concern, and how to manage for them in our fields and forests. Learn about management practices can change the vegetation communities these animals rely on for quality food-and-cover resources and dispel myths and common misunderstandings about wildlife. Walking will be over gravel and dirt roads. Dress in layers, wear sturdy shoes, and bring water.
Sunday, June 2: Reptiles and amphibians inventory – Solway Bend
Location: Meet at the parking lot behind (i.e. south of) the ORISE building at the corner of Bethel Valley and Pumphouse Roads.
Time: 1 to 4:30 p.m.
Leader: John Byrd and Kathy Strunk (Clinch River Environmental Studies Organization)
Limit: 20
Walking will be through fields and over level dirt and gravel roads for limited distances. Dress in layers, wear sturdy shoes, and bring sunscreen, bug spray, and water. Collect several turtle species, talk about local snake identification, and discuss management of local herpetological populations. There will be plenty of opportunities for children to get involved and learn about the animals.
Saturday, August 24: History of ORR – Freels Bend
Location: Meet at the parking lot behind (i.e. south of) the ORISE building at the corner of Bethel Valley and Pumphouse Roads.
Time: 1 to 3:00 p.m.
Leader: Mick Wiest (host)
Limit: 20
Walking will be through fields and over level dirt and gravel roads for limited distances. Dress in layers, wear sturdy shoes, and bring sunscreen, bug spray and water. Discuss the history of the ORR and the families who lived in the area. The walk will be held at the historic Freels cabin, which will be open for touring.
More information about these walks is available by contacting Trent Jett at 865-574-9188 ([email protected]).
More information will be added as it becomes available.
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