Photos with Santa

It's that time of the year again for Santa to visit the Nature Center in Rotary Park! 

Each Saturday leading up to Christmas, Santa will be here from 11am to 2pm on his lush green velvet couch with a beautiful nature themed tree behind him, perfect for your family photos! Photographer Cassidy Johnson will be on site to take your photos at no charge, but personal phones or cameras are also welcome!

• December 6, Photos can be viewed here
• December 13, Photos can be viewed here
• December 20

While you are waiting for your photo, you are welcome to write him a letter and put it into the magical North Pole Mailbox. While here, a mischievous "Elf on the Shelf" may be found somewhere in the Nature Center! Try and find him! All are welcome!

2026 Artist Exhibit Series

Through years of camping, hiking, kayaking, and exploration, artist and photographer Carolanne Nadeau has traveled across Tennessee, capturing the quiet beauty of its state parks and natural areas. This exhibit is a celebration of those special places—highlighting the diverse landscapes, waterways, and wild spaces that define Tennessee from border to border.

Each image reflects a personal journey into nature, inviting viewers to slow down, reconnect, and appreciate the remarkable natural heritage found throughout the state. From peaceful trails to scenic waterways, this collection honors the landscapes that inspire exploration, stewardship, and a deeper connection to the outdoors.

• Spring Equinox Show: Jan 13-March 13, 2026
• Artist Reception, Jan 24, 1-3PM

Next-Gen Naturalists

A 3 week program dedicated to native animal topics, designed to provide social interaction and educate youth through GAMES. Think of it as an indoor summer camp, during the winter time!

4:00-4:30pm: drop-off and snack time

4:30-5:30pm: activities 

5:30-6:00pm: social time and pick-up

• Jan 8, 15, 22, 7-10yo: Register here 
• Feb 5, 12, 19, 11-16yo: Register here

Cocoa Hikes

Join us in the dark for a special Cocoa 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!

• Dec 2, 5pm
• Dec 12, 5pm
• Jan 6, 5:30pm

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

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
• Feb 26, 5:30-7:00PM

Register here: https://tinyurl.com/4bushd6w 

The Pollinator Project

A collaboration between APSU Healthy Yards Program, The Wade Bourne Nature Center & The Native Garden and Habitat Club, check here for all programs related to plants and pollinators!

• Jan 14, 6:30 to 8PM, Native Garden and Habitat Club Meeting and Workshop, Open to all.
• Jan 17, 1-3PM, Native Garden and Habitat Club Led Workshop, Register here
• Jan 23, 4-6PM-MILK JUG Greenhouses, for beginners, Led by the Nature Center. Register here
• May 17, Pollinator and Native Plant Summit, 10AM-2PM
  • Native Garden & Habitat Club tent with native plant seedling giveaways
  • Healthy Yards Ask-the-Experts tent – for all your native plant and pollinator questions
  • Southeastern Grasslands Institute
  • Native bees education from APSU
  • Xerces Society – Save the Bees
  • Native plant walks through Rotary Park
  • Choosing the right native plants for you
  • Growing natives in containers
  • Butterflies, caterpillars and host plant education

DIY Mini Greenhouses, Start Seeds Indoors

❄️🌱 DIY Winter Greenhouse Workshop! 🌱❄️
Just because it’s winter doesn’t mean you can’t plant! Join us for a hands-on workshop where you’ll create your very own mini greenhouse—perfect for starting native seeds all winter long. By the time spring arrives, your plants will be ready to go straight into the ground!

Using a clean one-gallon milk jug, we’ll transform it into a functional winter greenhouse. You’ll add the right soil, substrate, and a selection of local native pollinator seeds to help support butterflies and beneficial insects in the year ahead.

• January 23, 4-6 PM

🌼 All materials are provided!
We are also collecting extra one-gallon jugs to help our own butterfly garden at the Nature Center—if you have some to donate, we’ll gladly take them!

No experience needed—just bring your curiosity, and we’ll teach you everything you need to know.

👉 Register here: https://tinyurl.com/m4edxwuc 

Roots of Knowledge, Trivia Nights!

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

• 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!

Fawn and Games

Get ready for an evening of friendly, nature-themed competition! At Fawn & Games, teams of 1–4 adults will compete in a series of fun challenges surrounding our favorite game shows—all inspired by the natural world. Whether you're guessing animal tracks, racing to name native plants, or figuring out what the survey says, there's something for everyone! No science degree required—just bring your competitive spirit and sense of humor! Register your team and join the fun!

• Jan 30, 6-7:30PM, This month's game show is Emogenius! Guess what thing or phrase the emojis are signifying. Register Here
• March 13, Register here
• May 15, Register here

Only one member from the team needs to sign up. 

Find Your Flock

Ready to find your flock? 

Find Your Flock is a lively, low-pressure program where friendship takes flight! First, fill out our quick and fun online questionnaire (during registration) to help us get to know you. Then, join us for a round of fast, friendly, nature-related convos to break the ice. Once the sparks of friendship start flying, you'll be teamed up to create a DIY animal charcuterie treat—because nothing bonds people like a little teamwork and food!

This program is free and all materials/snacks are provided.  

• Feb 13, 6-7:30PM, Register here

Natures Escape Game

Join us for Nature’s Escape Game, a unique twist on the classic escape room experience! Teams of 1–4 participants will take on the challenge of unlocking a nature-themed escape box, packed with a series of puzzles, physical locks, and ecological challenges. Each task is designed to test your knowledge of the natural world while encouraging teamwork and creative thinking.

• Feb 21, 12:30-2PM, Register here
• April 17, 6-7:30PM, Register here
• July 2, 6-7:30PM, Register 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 during warm months, she hibernates in the winter. . 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. 

• March: T and TH @4 PM
• April: T and TH @4 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 6 months to 6years old, and the special needs community. The program runs from 10:30 am to 11:30 pm, snacks provided. 

• Nov 15
• December 20
• Jan 10
• Feb 14
• March 14
• May 9
• June 13

Register here: https://tinyurl.com/msr6ct3y

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
• Jan 24, 9:30 AM-12:00PM
• Feb 28, 10:30AM-1:00PM
• March 21, 10:30AM-1:00PM
• April 24, 5:30-7:30pm
• May 16, 10:30AM-1:00PM

Register here:  https://tinyurl.com/3uj7cjax 

“Why ZOO We Do It?”

Step into the fascinating story of zoos—past, present, and future. In this program, we’ll explore how zoos began, how they’ve evolved over time, and why modern zoos look so different today. Together, we’ll uncover the important role accredited zoos play in animal welfare, conservation, research, and education.

Programming Specialist Julianna Johnson: Drawing from my own experience working with animals and sharing their stories with the public, I’ll guide you through the challenges zoos have overcome, the successes they’ve achieved, and the message they share now: protecting wildlife and inspiring people to care. By the end of the program, you’ll see that zoos are not just places to visit animals—they’re centers of conservation, science, and hope for the future.

• Jan 17, 10:30 AM - 11:30AM
• Feb 28, 1:30 PM-2:30 PM
• March 20, 10:30-11:30 AM
• March 20, 12:30-1:30 PM

Register your spot here 

From FIRES to FETCH

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle! Take retired firehose and give it a new life while also providing enrichment to our local pets and shelters. In this program, participants will learn about reducing waste by finding new ways to repurpose old materials. They will also be utilizing cognitive creative skills to build toys from scratch.

All materials are provided, each participant will take home a new enrichment toy for their pet!

• April 4, 12:30-1:30 PM
• April 25, 12:30-1:30PM
• May 8, 5-6PM, 2.0 Advanced Version, must attend in April first!
• July 18, 11PM-1PM, 3.0 Advanced Version, must attend in April first!

Register here

Winter Wreath Workshop

We are putting those old discarded Christmas Trees to good use with this DIY Workshop!  Adults are invited to come and learn how to assemble a wreath from a variety of pine branches.  All materials will be provided, feel free to bring extras to decorate and personalize!  Coffee and tea will be served.  

• Jan 28, 5:30pm-7:30pm

Register here: https://tinyurl.com/yz464vpu 

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, Male Cardinal
• Dec 17, Great Horned Owl Part 2
• Jan 21
• Feb 18
• April 15
• May 20

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

• Jan 2
• Feb 6
• March 6
• May 1

Register here: https://tinyurl.com/4cj45tdw

Guided Hikes with TN Trails Association

🌟 Kick Off the New Year with a Guided Hike! 🌟

Start 2026 on the right foot—literally! Join us and the Tennessee Trails Association for a refreshing guided hike at Rotary Park to welcome the new year.

🌳 About the Hike: Enjoy a scenic 2.5-mile walk through Clarksville’s beautiful Rotary Park. This hike is great for both beginners and experienced hikers. Two guides—a leader and a sweep—will make sure everyone has a fun, safe experience. Expect a shaded natural surface trail with a few short inclines.

Start Time: 8:00 AM (arrive 10 minutes early!)

Meeting Spot: Wade Bourne Nature Center parking lot at Rotary Park, Restrooms available at the trailhead, Duration: 60–75 minutes, Dogs welcome on leash, Not suitable for strollers. 

What to Bring: Water, snacks, weather-appropriate clothing, rain jacket, extra layers, sunscreen, bug spray, and trekking poles if you have them.

Bring your family, bring a friend, bring your dog—or come solo and meet fellow local hikers. Let’s make 2026 the year we hit the trail together! 🌲✨

• Jan 1, 9-10:30am, followed by a POTLUCK LUNCH!
• Feb 7, 8-9:30
• March 7
• April 4
• May 2
• June 6
• August 1
• September 5
• October 3
• November 7
• December 5

👉 Register your free spot here:  https://tinyurl.com/3myk6twc

Paws in the Wild, Photo Contest

They may not be wild, but we love celebrating all animals—including our pet companions!

Capture your pet enjoying the great outdoors and enter for a chance to win fun prizes and bragging rights! Whether they’re leaping through leaves, lounging in the grass, or just soaking up the sun, we want to see your furry (or scaly, or feathery!) friend's best outdoor moments.

Submit your favorite photo of your pet enjoying the outdoors responsibly (safe & under control).

Participants are invited to bring leashed pets to join the celebration with prizes, treats, and giveaways!

All submissions will be displayed during Spring Break week for public voting, winners will be announced at the award ceremony on March 28th at noon!

Categories:

• Best in Field – Overall winner
• Best Adventure Shot – Hiking, swimming, or exploring
• Funny in Nature – Hilarious poses, expressions, or timing
• Chill Critter – Pets relaxing in the great outdoors
• Unusual Pet, Wild World – Reptiles, birds, amphibians, etc. in nature
• Pet & Their Person – Bonding moments in nature
• Kids’ Category – Photo must be taken by a child under 13
• Mud Master – Dirtiest pet
• Flora and Fur – Best flower-themed photo
• Creature of the Forest – Wildest lookalike

SUBMISSION LINK COMING SOON!

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 

Project Feederwatch, Volunteer Opportunity

Project FeederWatch is back at the Nature Center!

Love birds? Come join us on the back deck of the Wade Bourne Nature Center and help count the feathered friends visiting our feeders!

Grab a tally sheet and record what you see. When you're done, turn in your sheet and we'll submit your observations to a national database-helping scientists track winter bird populations across the country.

It's easy, fun, and perfect for all ages. No registration needed, stop on in!

Come be a part of real community science!

*This volunteer Opportunity is approved for TNP Hours, please submit an image of the tally sheet to your Chapter Coordinator with the estimated amount of time spent counting. You can also download the APP and count digitally! 

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