The program offers the general public chances to study and enjoy the sites and sounds of nature on the reservation. The program is co-sponsored by DOE's Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and the American Museum of Science and Energy (AMSE).
The events are free, but some of the walks require limited number of participants. Advance registration is required by calling 576-3218 at least 48 hours before the scheduled walks.
The May and June schedule: .
Saturday, May 6, 7 to 10 a.m., "Bird Walk at Freels Bend." Led by Jim Evans of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA), participants should meet in the parking lot on the south side of Oak Ridge Associated Universities' (ORAU) Scarboro Operations Site at the intersection of Bethel Valley and Scarboro roads. The walk will last three hours and is limited to 25 participants.
Saturday, May 6, 7:30 to 10:30 p.m., "Night Sounds and Stars." Led by Paul Lewis of the University of Tennessee's Department of Physics and Astronomy, this is a three-hour moon- and star-lit walk in the relative quiet and dark of Freels Bend (weather permitting). Participants will listen for the sounds of wildlife, chorus frogs and insects, followed by an hour of star-gazing with and without telescopes. Flashlights are recommended. Participants should meet at 7:30 p.m. in the Scarboro Operations Site parking lot. The walk is limited to 45 participants.
Sunday, May 7, 2 to 4:30 p.m., "Wildlife and Wildflower Ramble on the Oak Ridge Reservation." Hosted by Jerry Klein of ORNL's Environmental Sciences Division, this walk lasts up to three hours and is limited to 20 people. Participants should meet at 2 p.m. in the AMSE lobby.
Saturday, May 13, 7 to 10 a.m., "Bird Walk at Freels Bend." This is identical to the May 6 activity listed above.
Saturday, May 13, 1 to 3:30 p.m., "Adventure Ramble at Freels Bend." This is a 2 1/2-hour cross-country hike, limited to 25 participants, focusing on wildflowers and other interesting plants. The host is Larry Pounds of ORNL. Limited to 25, participants should wear a hat, long pants and tick/insect repellent and should bring a water bottle. They should meet at 1 p.m. in the Scarboro Operations Site parking lot.
Saturday, May 20, 7 to 10 a.m., "Bird Walk At Freels Bend." This is identical to the May 6 and May 13 activities, hosted by Dev Joslin of ORNL's Environmental Sciences Division.
Saturday, May 20, 3 to 5 p.m., "Creek-side Ramble: Aquatic Life in Lower Bear Creek or Upper White Oak Creek." John Smith of ORNL's Environmental Sciences Division is the leader of this 2 1/2-hour walk. Limited to 20 participants who should meet at 3 p.m. in the AMSE lobby.
Saturday, May 20, 7:30 p.m., "Night Sounds and Stars." Identical to the May 6 walk listed above.
Saturday, May 27, 7 to 10 a.m., "Bird Walk at Freels Bend." Identical to the May 6, 13 and 20 walks listed above, but led by Roger Kroodsma of ORNL.
Saturday June 17, 8:45 a.m., to noon, "Aliens Invade Oak Ridge Adventure." Jane Awl leads this three-hour tour of alien plant invasion sites in the Oak Ridge area, including the Oak Ridge Reservation. There will be opportunities to handle and pull plant specimens. The tour will involve moderate off-trail walking through woods and fields. Sturdy boots or shoes, sun hat, long pants, gardening gloves, tick/insect repellent, and water bottle are recommended. It is limited to 16 participants, who should meet in the AMSE lobby at 8:45 a.m.