UT Arboretum Society presents Moonlight Hike on Sept. 26

The University of Tennessee Arboretum Society is offering a Moonlight Hike on Saturday, September 26. The hike is scheduled from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the UT Arboretum at 901 South Illinois Avenue in Oak Ridge.

“Join us as we walk Arboretum trails by the light of the silvery moon,” a press release said.

The hike will begin at the Visitors Center near the parking lot at 7:30 p.m. The 1.5-mile hike will be led by experienced volunteers.

The full moon is Sunday, September 27. The walk was scheduled a day early so that older schoolchildren could participate on a non-school night.

Moonrise on Saturday night is at 6:37 p.m., so it will have risen above the trees by the time the walk begins. Participants can listen for owls and other night creatures as they journey through the woods. A telescope will be available for anyone who wants a closer look at the night sky. “Maybe the Man in the Moon will be spotted!” the press release said.

Note: This event is limited to participants age 10 and older. 

Light refreshments will be served.

The press release said you should bring a flashlight and wear sturdy shoes with good support as the trail surface can be uneven with roots and rocks.  Long pants and bug repellent are also recommended.

A suggested $5 donation per car will help the Arboretum Society support the Arboretum.

The hike will be cancelled in the event of rain or very cloudy skies. Call the Arboretum office at (865) 483-3571 with questions.

To learn more about this lecture or the UT Arboretum Society, go to www.utarboretumsociety.org. For more information on the program, call (865) 483-3571.

Celebrating 50 years in 2015, this program is one of many lectures and activities that will be offered this year by the UT Arboretum Society. The program is cosponsored by the UT Forest Resources AgResearch and Education Center.

The Forest Resources AgResearch and Education Center, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2014, is one of 10 outdoor laboratories located throughout the state as part of the UT AgResearch system. AgResearch is a division of the UT Institute of Agriculture. The Institute of Agriculture also provides instruction, research, and public service through the UT College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, the UT College of Veterinary Medicine, UT AgResearch, and UT Extension offices, with locations in every county in the state.

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