Lantern Hikes

Join us in the dark for a special Lantern Hike through Rotary Park! The trail difficulty level is rated moderate and will be in the dark, please use your best judgment when registering. Strollers are NOT recommended for this terrain. Appropriate footwear, long pants, and bug spray is recommended. The hike will last 45 min to 1 hour, each participant will carry a provided lantern through the woods. Please dress appropriately for the weather conditions.

We will meet at the Nature Center front doors to check in up to 10 minutes before the program and to distribute lanterns. After the hike, stick around for a cup of hot cocoa!

• October 1, 6:30-7:30 pm
• October 8, 6:30-7:30 p
• October 31, 6:30-7:30 pm

Register here: https://tinyurl.com/yn635jry

Herb Drying and Tea Blending

This workshop will include a presentation on herb drying and tea blending. Participants will select plant varieties for their personalized tea blend based upon flavors and/or plant properties.
A live version of several plants will also be available for participants to learn identification techniques.
The many herbs used in this workshop will be harvested from the Rotary Park Community Gardens, Rotary Park meadows and even the RichEllen property!

A special hot tea blend will be served during the class. All participants will be provided with the tools needed to make their own tea blend during the workshop.

Each person will take home a unique tea blend in a provided jar, individual tea bags, and recipes.

• December 11, Thursday, 12-1:30pm

Register here: https://secure.rec1.com/TN/montgomery-county-parks-recreation/catalog?filter=c2VhcmNoPTM4OTEyNDA=

Roots of Knowledge, Trivia Nights!

Discover and deepen your knowledge of local landmarks, wildlife, and history at our educational trivia nights.

• Kids Nature Trivia, December 11, 5-6:60PM, Nature Center
• Kids Tenneessee Wildlife History Trivia, Jan 16, 5-6:30pm, Fredonia Community Center
• Clarksville Natural History Trivia, Feb 20, 5-6:30pm, South Guthrie Community Center
• Tennessee Wildlife Nature Trivia, April 10, 5-6:30, RichEllen Banquet Hall

Register your team here!

Snake Snacks!

 Snake Feeding Demonstration: Watch Buggie in Action! 

Join us for an exciting look at Buggie the Corn Snake's feeding time! Snakes have fascinating eating habits, and you’ll get to see it firsthand.

• When: Every first Saturday of the month at 2 PM
• Duration: 15 minutes
• Where: Wade Bourne Nature Center Lobby

Parents, please use your discretion to decide if this educational experience is suitable for your little ones.

Don’t miss this slithery spectacle!

Turtle Time!

Our new Eastern Box Turtle, Penny, will be outside for exercise today in the field in front of the Nature Center every Tuesday and Thursday. She is a fast tiny turtle and will certainly put on a show! Sometimes our animals hide while inside of their enclosures, but Penny will 100% be out and running around. 

• November: T and TH @ 4 PM
• December: T and TH @ 2 PM

This is a drop-in, free, event. No registration required.  If the weather is undesirable, we will move her exercise pen inside the Nature Center. 

Story Tails

Every 3rd Saturday of the month the Nature Center will hold "Story Tails," a program promoting literacy to children by creating a wonder for the natural world. Each session will include the reading of 2-3 nature books, songs, games and, activities! Sessions will be held inside and/or outside, depending on the weather. This program is for children ages 1-6 and the special needs community. The program runs from 10:30 am to 11:30 pm, snacks provided. 

• Nov 15
• December 20

Register here: Catalog - Montgomery County Parks & Recreation (rec1.com) 

Puzzle Palooza

Get ready to dive into the ultimate puzzle challenge at Puzzle Palooza! Grab your puzzle-loving pals and form teams of 1-4 players to tackle a 500 piece puzzle. Each team will receive the same puzzle and will have 2.5 hours to complete it. The first team to finish will earn a prize! Don't miss out on the puzzle showdown of the year! Register your team and let the puzzle madness begin! Only 1 person will register for the entire team. For all ages. 

This is a family-friendly, free event, we supply all materials. 

• November 22, 10:30AM-1:00PM
• December 19, 10:30AM-1:00PM

Pokemon-GO Community Day

Join us at the Wade Bourne Nature Center! ✨🎮

• Explore the trails, meet fellow trainers, and catch some fresh air (and maybe a few exciting creatures 👀) while enjoying all the fun our park has to offer!
• 📅 Date:  November 1st
• 🕒 Time: 1-3PM
• 📍 Location: Wade Bourne Nature Center at Rotary Park
• Bring your phone, your walking shoes, and your best catching skills — there might just be something legendary waiting for you! 🐾⚡
• Need a break? Swing by the community room for some light refreshments and a chance to cool off and connect. ☕🍪
• Tag your squad and get ready to explore, collect, and connect with nature (and maybe a few surprises along the way)! 🌿📲
• #CommunityDay #WadeBourneNatureCenter #ExploreAndCatch #RotaryParkAdventures

Tiny Terrariums

Come to the Nature Center to learn how to make a terrarium in almost any kind of container! We will supply the plants, soil, fairy garden sculptures, ect. You bring a clear container to plant in. There will be an artist onsite to assist with making oven baked personalized sculptures for inclusion in your terrarium.

The container can be new, used or recycled, with or without a lid. Mason jars, old spaghetti jars, olive oil jars, wine bottles, ect. This is a great way to relax at the end of the week and get your hands on some green plants in the winter!

-November 21, 5pm

Binocular Check-Out

The Wade Bourne Nature Center Foundation is generously sponsoring the new binocular checkout program.  Simply fill out a request with your preferred time and day and you can pick them up from the Nature Center reception desk.  There is no cost for this program, we simply ask you return the set before 4 pm T-F and by 2 pm on Saturdays. 

To reserve a pair, please click here: https://secure.rec1.com/TN/montgomery-county-parks-recreation/catalog?filter=c2VhcmNoPTI1ODA4MDg=  

Live Taxidermy Demonstrations

Every 3rd Wednesday from 4:00-5:30 PM, Drop-in Program

• November 19
• Dec 17

A taxidermist will walk participants step by step through the process of skinning a bird to the final stuffing/mounting. The chosen specimen will be the Yellow Billed Cuckoo. This bird was found deceased on the park property. 

Bird mounts are unique in that they do not require harmful chemicals for preservation. No eating or drinking will be allowed in the room for the duration of the process. Participants will not be permitted to touch the specimen.

*Passed in 1918, The Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) prohibits the take (including killing, capturing, selling, trading, and transport) of protected migratory bird species without prior authorization by the Department of Interior U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It is illegal for an individual to collect eggs, feathers and/or nests. 99% of birds are protected by this law, typically not covered by the MBTA include house sparrow, European starling, and rock pigeons.*

 Reading Round-Up

Join us on the first Friday of the month to enjoy a group reading for your little ones! This program is sponsored by The Blue Star Families of Tennessee in an effort to build home libraries. Each child who attends gets to pick out a free book to take home! Snacks are also provided. After the reading, feel free to stay in our Community Room or go outside on the deck to enjoy your goodies. Arts for Hearts will lead a related art activity afterwards as well! This Program is suitable for children age 2-5 and. Parents are expected to stay with their children for the duration of the event.

Dates

• November 7
• December 5

Register here: https://secure.rec1.com/TN/montgomery-county-parks-recreation/catalog 

Guided Hikes with TN Trails Association

Join us for a hike in Clarksville’s wonderful Rotary Park that will suit both beginner and experienced hikers. We will have a two guides from Tennessee Trails Association, a leader and sweep (back marker) to ensure everyone has a great hike. The trail is shaded with mostly natural turf and some short inclines. Wear good walking or hiking shoes. Items to bring include, water, snacks, clothing to suit the weather, a rain jacket, extra layers and sun screen, bug spray as needed. Trekking poles are helpful if you have them. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Dogs are welcome if on a leash. The hike is not suitable for Strollers due to terrain. 

• Nov 1
• Dec 6

Hike will commence at 8am CT at Rotary Park - Plan to arrive 10 minutes prior to departure. Meet at the Wade Bourne Center Parking Lot. There are bathrooms at the trailhead.

Please register here 

Seed Sorting

The Nature Center keeps an inventory of different types of seeds of native plants from around the park and nearby areas.  We often collect seeds from our gardens; community members do them same in their home gardens, and then donate the seeds to us.  Some seeds need to be separated from leaves, or pods in order to be stored properly.  This activity will go over how to separate and sort the seed parts as well as how to label and store them for distribution.  I bet there will be extras for the volunteers to take home!

-November 8th, 10am-12pm

Register here: https://secure.rec1.com/TN/montgomery-county-parks-recreation/catalog?filter=c2VhcmNoPTM3NzgxMzA= 

Field Trip Offerings

If you are bringing a group to any of our parks for a trip, PLEASE notify us in advance.  

Field trips are available to any group with 25 or more participants, FREE!  

The Wade Bourne Nature Center Foundation offers Bus Transportation Support for schools needing assistance.  Please indicate your interest in this funding option in the comments section during the reservation process. Funding is limited and provided on a first-come, first-served basis.  Teachers may only apply ONCE in a calendar year. 

Spring Trips: March, April and May

Fall Trips: September, October and November

Click Here for a full list of activity options

Register for Field Trip programs here: 

Volunteer Information

Montgomery County Parks and Recreation offers volunteer opportunities for all ages year-round! From event assistance and trail maintenance to garden work and animal care, our programs provide hands-on ways to learn about nature while giving back to the environment and community.

Example positions include: Host Volunteer, Exhibit Interpreter, Trail Guide, Trail Monitor, Special Event Assistant, Field Trip Program Facilitator, Field Trip Support, Volunteer Coordinator, and Program Assistant

Individuals can make an account on CivicRec and sign up for opportunities that interest you through this link: https://tinyurl.com/5cebjnuu 

Groups Interested in special service projects visit here: https://tinyurl.com/ytwux456 

WBNC Naturalist Chapter est. 2025

Courses are scheduled to begin in the fall of 2026. Click here for the tennative schedule of classes. 

What is a Tennessee Naturalist?

Tennessee Naturalists are trained volunteers. They:

• receive 40 hours of instruction combined with hands-on fieldwork on various aspects of the state's natural history -- geology, flora, wildlife, watersheds -- as well as exposure to ecological concepts and conservation issues.
• complete 40 hours of volunteer service to earn certification.
• help monitor and maintain the quality of our native ecosystems through a variety of citizen science projects.
• work with nonprofit organizations in preserving and maintaining our natural heritage.
• serve as environmental ambassadors in their communities assisting with public interpretive programs reaching school children and others across the state.

What is the role of a Tennessee Naturalist?

After training, Tennessee Naturalists are encouraged to engage in different types of nature-based volunteer activities, such as helping with a nature outreach program at a park, nature center or school; assisting with the collection of scientific data for a bird census, water quality assessment, or rare plant monitoring;  working on trail building/maintenance projects; and helping with habitat restoration projects.

How Do I Become a certified Tennessee Naturalist?

To become a certified Tennessee Naturalist, you must complete the series of (10) TNP training courses offered by one of several chapters throughout the state AND perform a minimum of 40 hours volunteer service. Program costs include all classes, study guides and course handouts. Please be aware that the fieldwork portion of the course can be physically demanding at times with hiking steep hills, rough terrain and night activities. 
 

For a list of chapters and more information, visit the Tennessee Naturalist website