Percy and Edwin Warner Parks offer over 2,683 acres, with hiking trails, roadways and other recreational opportunities. There is a wide variety of workshops, hikes and activities scheduled all year—including everything from bird and wildflower hikes to story times and astronomy outings!

Call the Nature Center for details on programs, and for information on the new Susanne Warner Bass Learning Center. Programs are free but most require advanced reservations. Be sure to note opening registration dates! Call 615/352-6299.

Programs fill quickly, so call 352-6299 to register.

Mossy Ridge Hike

Saturday, June 3, 8 a.m.-noon

Age level: Adults

No registration required

Join Tennessee Trails Association (TTA) and celebrate National Trails Day by hiking the 4.5 mile Mossy Ridge Trail in Percy Warner Park. Call the TTA Hiking Hotline at 367-7045 for more information.

Coordinators: Tennessee Trails Association and Heather Perry

Harpeth Woods Hike

Saturday, June 3, 1-3 p.m.

Age level: 8 years and up

Registration opens May 19

Another National Trails Day hike with naturalist Heather Perry on a journey through Edwin Warner Park on the 2.5 mile Harpeth Woods Trail.

Coordinators: Heather Perry and Tennessee Trails Association

Nature’s Colors and Shapes

Monday, June 5, 10-11 a.m. & 1-2 p.m.

Age level: 3-5 years

Registration opens May 23

Many shapes and colors are represented in our environment. Come explore the Nature Center campus and appreciate nature’s different forms and hues.

Leader: Jill Smith

Swamp Things

Friday, June 9, 7:30-9 p.m.

Age level: 8 years and up

Registration opens May 26

Join us for an evening in Shelby Bottoms as we slog into the Park’s mushy habitat by lantern light to look and listen for the inhabitants of the swamp.

Leader: Bill Troup

Aunt/Ant Hike

Saturday, June 10, 9:30-11 a.m.

Age level: All ages

Registration opens May 26

Here’s your chance to spend the morning with your niece or nephew! Invite them to join you for this Saturday morning adventure exploring the amazing world of ants. (Uncles are welcomed, also.)

Leaders: Aunt Sandy (Bivens) and Aunt Debbie (Hill)

Story Time on the Porch

Monday, June 12, 10:30-11 a.m.

Age level: Pre-K

Registration opens May 30

Join us on the breezy back porch for books and stories all about nature.

Leaders: Warner Park Nature Center staff and volunteers

Become a Junior Naturalist!

Wednesday, June 14, 9:30-11 a.m. & 1:30-3 p.m.

Friday, June 16

9:30-11 a.m.

Age level: 6-12 years

Registration opens May 31

Some are hairy, have eight eyes, spin webs, pounce on prey, and contribute to the ecology of Warner Parks. Come dispel any fears and begin earning your Junior Naturalist patch as we explore the incredible lives of some of the spiders of Middle Tennessee.

Leaders: Warner Park Nature Center staff

Strawberry Moon Hike

Friday, June 16, 8-9:30 p.m.

Age level: 8 years and up

Registration opens June 2

June’s full moon is appropriately named the Strawberry Moon. Why? Leave your flashlights at home and join a full moon hiking adventure for the answer.

Leaders: Heather Perry and John Sharlet

Nature Games

Saturday, June 17, 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Age level: 6-12 years

Registration opens June 2

”Predator and prey“ and ”animal charades,“ to name just a few, are games with an entertaining and educational approach to learning about nature. Join us while we play and learn on a Saturday morning.

Leader: Heather Perry

EnviroMutt Puppet Show

Monday, June 19, 10-11 a.m. & 1-2 p.m.

Age level: 3-5 years

Registration opens June 6

Join forces with EnviroMutt to help ”save the Earth!“ We’ll watch the show, then go outside to learn about litter prevention and recycling.

Leader: Vera Vollbrecht and Metro Beautification’s EnviroMutt

Pondering Plankton

Wednesday, June 21, 9:30-11 a.m. & 1:30-3 p.m.

Friday, June 23

9:30-11 a.m.

Age level: 6-12 years

Registration opens June 7

How do these tiny creatures survive in a big pond? We’ll take samples of the water and examine it closely to learn about plankton’s amazing adaptations.

Leaders: Susan Bradfield and Nature Center staff

Family Friday Night—Stories Around

the Campfire

Friday, June 23, 8-9:30 p.m.

Age level: All ages

Registration opens June 9

Almost nothing is more relaxing on a balmy summer evening than sitting by a campfire listening to stories. The entire family will enjoy hearing songs and tales about animals of the forest. Bring a blanket or lawn chair to sit on.

Coordinator: Vera Vollbrecht

Summer Blossom Saunter

Saturday, June 24, 9-11 a.m.

Age level: All ages

Registration opens June 9

The spring wildflowers have given over to the blooms of the summer. Hikearound Edwin Warner Park with naturalist Heather Perry and discover the beauties of trumpet creeper and butterfly weed.

Leader: Heather Perry

Story Time on the Porch

Monday, June 26, 10:30-11 a.m.

Age level: Pre-K

Registration opens June 13

See Monday, June 12 for a description.

Leaders: Warner Park Nature Center staff and volunteers

Birds of a Feather

Wednesday, June 28, 9:30-11 a.m. & 1:30-3 p.m.

Friday, June 30

9:30-11 a.m.

Age level: 6-12 years

Registration opens June 13

We see them every day—feathered friends of different colors, sizes, and shapes that sing a variety of songs. ”Fly“ to the Nature Center and find out where and how birds live in the Parks.

Leaders: Susan Bradfield and Nature Center staff

Arts and Nature

Wednesday, July 5, 9:30-11 a.m. & 1:30-3 p.m.

Friday, July 7

9:30-11 a.m.

Age level: 6-12 years

Registration opens June 21

Natural and reusable materials can be utilized to create beautiful works of art. Get your creative juices flowing and become a ”nature artist“ at Warner Parks.

Leaders: Vera Vollbrecht and Nature Center staff

Family Friday Night—All About Bats

Friday, July 7, 8-9:30 p.m.

Age level: All ages

Registration opens June 23

What sucks blood, gets tangled in people’s hair, and carries rabies? Not a bat! Through games, stories, and fun we’ll learn all about our only flying mammals.

Coordinator: Vera Vollbrecht

Annual Butterfly Count

Saturday, July 8, 8-11 a.m.

Age level: Adults

Registration opens June 23

Be a part of the 26th Annual North American Butterfly Association butterfly count at Warner Park Nature Center. Designed to encourage awareness of local butterflies and their natural history, the annual count also provides important data for scientific monitoring.

Coordinators: Owl’s Hill Nature Center and Teri Wildt

Butterfly Watch

Saturday, July 8, 10:30-noon

Age level: All ages

Registration opens June 23

Sulphurs, fritillaries, hairstreaks and swallowtails-all of our friends are fluttering around somewhere in the sun basked summer fields.

Leader: Heather Perry

Story Time on the Porch

Monday, July 10, 10:30-11 a.m.

Age level: Pre-K

Registration opens June 27

See Monday, June 12 for a description.

Leaders: Warner Park Nature Center staff and volunteers

Amazing Plants

Wednesday, July 12, 9:30-11 a.m. & 1:30-3 p.m.

Friday, July 14

9:30-11 a.m.

Age level: 6-12 years

Registration opens June 28

Some plants are ground huggers and others grow six feet tall! Learn and be amazed by the manner in which plants grow and are utilized by humans.

Leaders: Jill Smith and Nature Center staff

Family Friday Night—Spider Walk

Friday, July 14, 8-9 p.m.

Age level: All ages

Registration opens June 30

For this foray into the night a flashlight is a must! Check your batteries, head to the Nature Center, and be prepared to find gleaming emerald eyes staring right back when you ”spot“ a spider along a trail or on the pond.

Leaders: Sandy Bivens and Deb Beazley

Tree Trail Walk

Saturday, July 15, 9-11 a.m.

Age level: All ages

Registration opens June 30

Finally, take the mystery out of those ”heart“ signs on some of trees along the Old Roadway. Come learn a few trees of Edwin Warner Park while enjoying a leisurely stroll under the tree canopy.

Leader: Heather Perry

Splash the Trash

Saturday, July 15, 1-3 p.m.

Age level: All ages

Call to register

Grab your favorite water shoes (old sneakers are best) and meet us at Shelter #3 to help clean up the Little Harpeth River in Edwin Warner Park. Cool off from the summer heat while making a difference in our natural area.

Coordinator: Julia Cannon, Friends of Warner Parks

To Each His Own

Monday, July 17, 10-11 a.m. & 1-2 p.m.

Age level: 3-5 years

Registration opens July 5

What belongs in a pond? What belongs in a forest? Learn about different wildlife habitats and what belongs where on this fun walk on the Hungry Hawk Trail.

Leader: Heather Perry

Making a Splash

Wednesday, July 19, 9:30-11 a.m. & 1:30-3 p.m.

Friday, July 21

9:30-11 a.m.

Age level: 6-12 years

Registration opens July 5

Creepy crawlies and critters that live in the river reveal to us the quality of its water. Plan to get wet during this hands-on splash through the Little Harpeth River.

Leaders: Vera Vollbrecht and Nature Center staff

Spotlighting Spiders at Shelby

Thursday, July 20, 8-9 p.m.

Age level: All ages

Registration opens July 6

Experience the eerie, iridescent gleam of little green eyes staring back at us as we explore Shelby Bottoms by flashlight.

Leader: Bill Troup

Family Friday Night-Dyer Observatory

Friday, July 21, 9-10 p.m.

Age level: All ages

Registration opens July 7

Enjoy a Friday evening learning about the astronomical offerings of Vanderbilt’s Dyer Observatory including the programs offered and telescope capabilities.

Coordinator: Heather Perry and Dr. Arnold Heiser of Dyer Observatory

Survey a Stream

Saturday, July 22, 10 a.m.-noon

Age level: 6 and up

Registration opens July 7

Prepare to get wet during this stream survey of the Little Harpeth River. Using kick-nets and water kits, we’ll test the quality of the water.

Leader: Vera Vollbrecht

Story Time on the Porch

Monday, July 24, 10:30-11 a.m.

Age level: Pre-K

Registration opens July 11

See Monday, June 12 for a description.

Leaders: Warner Park Nature Center staff and volunteers

There’s Good in the Bad and Ugly

Wednesday, July 26, 9:30-11 a.m. & 1:30-3 p.m.

Friday, July 28

9:30-11 a.m.

Age level: 6-12 years

Registration opens July 12

Poison ivy good? A four-foot snake a benefit? Or how about that snarling possum? A dead tree standing? Join us as we take a look at our less appreciated plants and animals—dead and alive.

Leader: Heather Perry and Nature Center staff

Insects of the Night

Friday, July 28, 7:30-9:30 p.m.

Age level: All ages

Call to register

Crawl like a dung beetle, fly like a luna moth, or do the cricket hop; but come one and all to the Eighth Annual Insects of the Night at Warner Park Nature Center. Hundreds of insects are sure to visit our ”bug“ stations and you should, too.

Leaders: Warner Park Nature Center staff, Dr. Steve Murphree of Belmont University, and volunteers

Dog Days of Summer

Saturday, July 29, 8-10 a.m.

Age level: All ages

No registration required

Join Nashville Dog Training Club in learning how to be a responsible dog owner in the Warner Parks. Other topics will include pet care, agility training, obedience, and leash use. Drop by the Woolwine Entrance to Edwin Warner Park with your dog to join in the fun!

Leaders: Beth Clark and volunteers, Nashville Dog Training Club

Story Time on the Porch

Monday, July 31, 10:30-11 a.m.

Age level: Pre-K

Registration opens July 18

See Monday, June 12 for a description.

Leaders: Warner Park Nature Center staff and volunteers

The Hunter and the Hunted

Wednesday, August 2, 9:30-11 a.m. & 1:30-3 p.m.

Friday, August 4

9:30-11 a.m.

Age level: 6-12 years

Registration opens July 19

Fangs, talons, and speed—all benefit the predator. Camouflage, parotid glands, and an acute sense of smell—all provide escape for prey. Would you be the hunter or the hunted?

Leaders: Vera Vollbrecht and Nature Center staff

Summer Star Party

Friday, August 4, 8:30-10:30 p.m.

Age level: All ages

Call to register

Come join us for another summer night under the stars. Co-sponsored by Sudekum Planetarium and Barnard-Seyfert Astronomical Society, our annual Summer Star Party is a relaxing and educational event for the whole family.

Coordinators: Heather Perry and Kris McCall of Sudekum Planetarium

Beaman Summer Wildflower Hike

Saturday, August 5, 9-11 a.m.

Age level: Adults

Registration opens July 21

Here’s a summer morning hike to look for the endangered Eggert’s Sunflower and other late summer wildflowers up Henry Hollow within Beaman Park.

Leaders: Sandy Bivens and Bob Brown, Warner Parks volunteer

Nature Games II

Saturday, August 5, 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Age level: 6-12 years

Registration opens July 21

See June 17 for description

Leader: Heather Perry

Story Time on the Porch

Monday, August 7, 10:30-11 a.m.

Age level: Pre-K

Registration opens July 25

See Monday, June 12 for a description.

Leaders: Warner Park Nature Center staff and volunteers