Two wildflower walks are planned Saturday, April 23 and Saturday, May 14, while two bird walks are scheduled Saturday, April 30 and Saturday, May 7.
The April 23 and May 14 wildflower walks are scheduled from 9 a.m. until noon each day. The April 23 walk is limited to 25 participants and will be in the Mesic Forest area near East Tennessee Technology Park. The May 14 walk is limited to 15 participants and will take place in the Rainy Knob area of Freels Bend near Melton Hill Lake.
These two walks are between one and two miles, and will be uphill and downhill with some time spent off the main trails. Walkers are urged to dress in layers, wear sturdy shoes and bring a water supply. Children are welcome to participate in each walk.
The April 30 bird walk will be held in the Freels Bend area while the walk May 7 is in the vicinity of East Tennessee Technology Park. Both walks will last from 7 to 10:30 a.m. and are limited to 25 participants each. Children are welcome.
Walking will take place over level dirt roads with a distance of between one and two miles. Walkers should dress in layers, wear sturdy shoes, carry a supply of water and bring insect repellant and binoculars. A field guide to birds is also useful.
Reservations must be made in advance by noon the day prior to each walk by calling Mary Beth Watt at 865-574-6417.
If inclement weather forces postponement, it will be announced on Oak Ridge National Laboratory's Information Line at 865-574-9836 by 8 a.m. the day of the walk.
More information is available by calling Neil Giffen at 865-241-9421.
ORNL is managed by UT-Battelle for the Department of Energy.