Curriculum and Schedule

2021-2022 Information & Schedule

All class sessions are roughly 2 hours of instruction and 2 hours in the field. Breaks will be provided. You never know what you may find in the field so be prepared to stay for 5 hours. Dress for the weather (unless under severe weather threat, sessions are rain or shine). Attire and footwear should both be appropriate for hiking and outdoor activities. Bring a refillable water bottle. Depending on the season, sunscreen, hat and bug spray also recommended.


FOR EVERYONE'S SAFETY, we are following CDC face covering guidelines. Please visit our COVID-19 Update page for current safety policies.


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. 


Unless noted otherwise, Thursday sessions are 1 pm - 5:30 pm ; bring a snack. Saturday sessions are 9 am - 1:30 pm; bring a sack lunch. We are a carry-in/carry-out facility.

Becoming a Naturalist

Session A: Thursday Aug. 26, 2021; 1 p.m. Margie Hunter (Bring a Snack) 

Session B: Saturday Aug. 21, 2021; 9 a.m. Margie Hunter (Bring a Lunch)


Class Outline:

  • Introduction to the Tennessee Naturalist program (What is a naturalist?)
  • History of important naturalists in Tennessee
  • Tools of a Naturalist, including outdoor clothing
  • Nature Journaling

Invertebrates: Pollinators, Predators, and Pests

Session A: Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021; 1 p.m.  Dr.  Kaushalya Amarasekare, TN State University (Bring a Snack)

Session B: Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021; 9 a.m.  Dr. Steve Murphree, Belmont University 

(Bring a Lunch)


Class Outline:

  • Characteristics and life cycles of insects
  • Identification of insects using keys
  • Overview of other arthropods (spiders, isopods, mites, etc.)
  • Methods of collecting and observing insects and other arthropods
  • Ecological roles of arthropods

Ecology & Geology of Tennessee

Session A: Thursday, Oct. 28; 1 p.m. Margie Hunter (Bring a Snack)

Session B: Saturday Oct. 30; 9 a.m. Margie Hunter (Bring a Lunch)


Class Outline:

  • Overview of ecology and ecological systems
  • Physiographic regions of Tennessee
  • Geology and soils of Tennessee
  • Weather and Climate of Tennessee

Feathered Fauna: Birds of Tennessee

Session A: Thursday Nov. 11, 2021; 7:30 am - Noon  Laura Smith, OH Naturalist (Bring a Snack)

Session B: Saturday Nov. 13, 2021; 7:30 am - Noon  Laura Smith, OH Naturalist  (Bring a Snack)


Class Outline:

  • Overview of birds in Tennessee
  • Migration and flyways
  • Permanent residents, winter residents, summer residents, transients
  • Bird identification by sight and sound

TN Mammals: Creatures of Habitat

Session A: Thursday, Jan. 20, 2022; 1 p.m. David Coats, TNP Naturalist (Bring a Snack)

Session B: Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022; 9 a.m. David Coats, TNP Naturalist (Bring a Lunch)


Class Outline:

  • Overview of Tennessee Mammals
  • Characteristics of this class of animals
  • Different groups of mammals found in Tennessee
  • Behavior, physiology and ecology relating to habitat needs, environmental adaptations and ecosystem roles

Reptiles & Amphibians: Scutes, Scales and Skin

Session A: Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022;  1 p.m. Pandy Upchurch, TN Wildlife Resources Agency

Robert English, LEAPS   (Bring a Snack)           

Session B: Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022;  1 - 5:30 pm Pandy Upchurch, TN Wildlife Resources Agency

Robert English, LEAPS  (Bring a Snack)          


Class Outline:

  • Overview of Tennessee reptiles
  • Overview of Tennessee amphibians
  • Life cycles, habitats, ecology
  • Conservation issues

Forests & Trees of Tennessee

Session A: Thursday, Mar. 24, 2022; 1 p.m. 

Dave Walters, TN Divsion of Forestry (retired)   

Dr. Cindi Smith-Walters, MTSU Center for Environmental Education (retired)

(Bring a Snack)

Session B: Saturday Mar. 26, 2022; 9 a.m. 

Dr. Cindi Smith-Walters, MTSU Center for Environmental Education (retired) 

Dave Walters, TN Divsion of Forestry (retired) (Bring a Lunch)


Class Outline:

  • Characterization of Tennessee Forests
  • History of our forests
  • How trees grow
  • Twigs & bark as a way to identify trees

Nocturnal Naturalist

Session A: Thursday, Apr. 14, 2022; 4 -8:30 p.m. Ranger Leslie Anne Rawlings, Long Hunter State Park  (Pack Dinner) 

Session B: Saturday , Apr. 16, 2022; 4 - 8:30 p.m. Ranger Leslie Anne Rawlings, Long Hunter State Park (Pack Dinner)


Class Outline:

  • Overview of astronomy
  • Identification of common constellations
  • Night Wildlife

Herbaceous Plants & Fungi of Tennessee

Session A: Thursday, May 5, 2022; 1 p.m. Margie Hunter, Author  (Bring a Snack)

Session B: Saturday, May 7, 2022; 9 a.m. Margie Hunter, Author  (Bring a Lunch)


Class Outline:

  • Overview of herbaceous plants, identification and keying
  • Overview of non-vascular
  • Overview of fungi

Tennessee's Living Waters

Session A: Thursday May 26, 2022; 1 p.m. Catherine Price, Cumberland River Compact

(Bring a Lunch)

Session B: Saturday May 28, 2022; 9 a.m. Angel Fowler, Sr. Environmental Scientist, RES

 (Bring a Snack)


Class Outline:

  • Watersheds of Tennessee
  • Rivers and streams
  • Wetlands
  • Water quality assessment
  • Aquatic flora and fauna

Trail Building (Bonus Class)


Saturday, March 12, 2022
9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. -  Michael Meister, TN State Parks


Earn volunteer hours toward certification while you learn!

Bring work gloves, lunch and refillable water bottle.