Owl’s Hill Nature Sanctuary is a 300-acre wildlife sanctuary in northwestern Williamson County, Tennessee. Fossil traces in Ordovician limestone and 300-year-old giant trees, vestiges of the great eastern deciduous forest that once covered Tennessee, are important collections on the site, as are pioneer trees and seasonal wildflowers. The ponds and wetlands provide valuable amphibian habitat, home to more than a dozen species. 125 species of birds have been recorded on site through population surveys performed by the National Audubon Society. Nearly all mammals native to Middle Tennessee are in residence at Owl’s Hill.
Through public programs and working with the Land Trust for Tennessee (founded by governor Phil Bredesen) Owl’s Hill has become a focal point for neighboring landowners interested in placing conservation easements on their land. In the fall of 2000, a species inventory was completed. Owl’s Hill retained two biologists to undertake a 20-month survey using scientific sampling techniques to document amphibian and reptile populations. Addenda to the inventory catalogue include wildflower, tree, butterfly, bird and mammal populations.
Chapter Schedule
The Owl’s Hill chapter typically offers two sessions of the core course: a Thursday afternoon session and a Saturday session. Both sessions typically meet once or twice a month from August-May. Note that the chapter determines their own schedule and the schedule is subject to change year to year. To schedule a make-up class, contact chapter coordinator Laura Smith at [email protected].
Class Name
Date and Time
Becoming a Naturalist: Scope, Skills, and Service
Thursday, August 14 1:00pm-5:30pm CT
Saturday, August 16 9:00am-1:30pm CT
The World of Invertebrates: Pollinators, Predators, and Pests
Thursday, September 11 1:00pm-5:30pm CT
Saturday, September 6 9:00am-1:30pm CT
Geology and Ecology: Foundation and Context
Thursday, October 9 1:00pm-5:30pm CT
Saturday, October 11 9:00am-1:30pm CT
Tennessee Mammals: Creatures of Habitat
Thursday, October 16 1:00pm-5:30pm CT
Saturday, October 18 12:00pm-4:30pm CT
Birds of Tennessee: Feathered Fauna
Thursday, November 13 7:30am-12:00pm CT
Saturday, November 15 7:30am-12:00pm CT
Tennessee Reptiles and Amphibians: Scutes, Scales, and Skin
Thursday, February 26 1:00pm-5:30pm CT
Saturday, February 28 1:00pm-5:30pm CT
Tennessee Forests: Seeing the Forest and the Trees
Thursday, March 26 1:00pm-5:30pm CT
Saturday, March 28 9:00am-1:30pm CT
Forbs, Ferns, Mosses, and More: Plants and Fungi of Tennessee
Thursday, April 9 1:00pm-5:30pm CT
Saturday, April 11 9:00am-1:30pm CT
Tennessee's Living Waters: Rivers, Wetlands, and Watersheds
Thursday, April 23 1:00pm-5:30pm CT
Saturday, April 25 9:00am-1:30pm CT
Nocturnal Naturalist: Darkness Is Habitat
Thursday, May 7 4:30pm-9:30pm CT
Saturday, May 9 4:30pm-9:30pm CT