Outdoor Chattanooga News + Events March 2020
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Outdoor Chattanooga's newsletter highlights the awesome outdoor activities happening in and around Chattanooga that will connect you to the outdoors and inspire you to come out and play with us!
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Outdoor Chattanooga Events
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Free Indoor Archery
Every Wednesday in March
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Outdoor Chattanooga’s instructors get the bows and arrows out and set up archery targets inside their building located in Coolidge Park to create an indoor archery range every Wednesday in March.
Adult Archery
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2:30 - 3:30 p.m
. Similar to adult swim time at the local pool, this session is targeted to archers over 30. The focus is on group games for comradery and friendly competition with peers and is optimal for those that can attend for the full hour. **Please, no children during this session.
Try Archery
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3:30 to 6:00 p.m
. right after the adult-only session. These sessions are drop-in style, open to all ages 5+. We follow the National Archery in Schools Progam (NASP) format and focus on teaching the fundamentals of archery with an emphasis on range safety rules. Participants get multiple opportunities to shoot during the session.
No reservation or prior experience required to attend either of the sessions. Just show up, take aim and give archery a try! Call 423-643-6888 to learn more.
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City Nature Challenge Info Meeting + App Training
Thursday, March 12 | 6:00 - 7:30 PM
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It's a global science competition to find and document biodiversity in local communities. The annual challenge is intended to engage residents and communities to find and document plants, animals, and other living organisms in their urban areas. Awards are given to the cities that make the most observations, find the most species and engage the most people in the challenge. We're partnering with
Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center
as the local organizer of the
Chattanooga City Nature Challenge 2020
to encourage people from all over the greater Chattanooga Region to get out in their own backyards, local parks or favorite trails to observe nature and upload their observations to
iNaturalist.org
during the 4-day challenge set for April 24 - 27, 2020.
Attend this free informational workshop and iNaturalist App training session with Reflection Riding's Educator, Corey Hagen at the Outdoor Chattanooga Center in Coolidge Park on March 12 at 6 PM. Corey will explain what the City Nature Challenge is and how to use the iNaturalist app to document findings over the course of the 4-day Challenge scheduled for April 24-27, 2020. We encourage individuals of all ages, school groups, scout groups, outdoor enthusiasts and photographers, park stewards, birders, wildlife viewers and citizen scientists to attend so we can recruit as many people as possible to participate in the challenge to showcase the amazing biodiversity that exists in the Chattanooga region!
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Cumberland Trail Guided Hike
Sunday, March 15 | 10 AM - 1:30 PM or 3 PM - 5:30 PM
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Join Outdoor Chattanooga for a guided hike on the Cumberland Trail
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We lead registered participants on a moderately strenuous 4-6 mile hike to explore a unique section of the CT. We provide guides and a shuttle for the one-way trek so you can enjoy the sights and sounds of nature without the worry of getting lost. Cost: Free. Appropriate for ages 10+.
Online registration
required in advance as space is limited. Call 423-643-6888 with questions or to learn more.
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Rapid Learning Winter Skills Sessions
Tuesday, March 10 | 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
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Learn how to whitewater kayak with
Outdoor Chattanooga
's
Rapid Learning Whitewater Program
! This dynamic program offers formal and equipped kayak instruction for beginner and seasoned kayakers to learn and develop the skills necessary to safely and confidently paddle whitewater streams.
In the winter months, we move indoors to a heated pool at the
Hulsey Wellness Center
in Collegedale. Reservations, experience or equipment are NOT required to attend, and the first session is always free! Final indoor session:
April 21.
For more info
email Outdoor Chattanooga
.
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In Search of Bigfoot: Family-Friendly Guided Hike
Sunday, March 29 | 10 AM to 12:30 PM
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There have been whispers of a Bigfoot sighting on Signal Mountain! Outdoor Chattanooga is recruiting brave adventurers to embark on a 2.2-mile round-trip guided hike to Mushroom Rock to search for clues and hopefully find the mysterious Bigfoot! Why Mushroom Rock? Because it looks like something Bigfoot built and the perfect place to look. Whether you're a believer or a skeptic, this family-friendly walk in the woods will ignite your imagination and inspire exploration. Appropriate for ages 5+ with a participating adult. Cost: Free.
Online reservations
required in advance. Call 423-643-6888 to register and learn more.
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Outdoor Chattanooga is Hiring!
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If your dream job involves getting paid to play outside and lead outdoor activities for adults and kids of all ages, then you should apply for this
Outdoor Trip Leader
position we are seeking for this summer! The seasonal position starts in April with 15-20 hours per week, May through August averaging 30-35 hours per week and potential to continue working October at 15 hours per week. Candidates must be at least 18 years old, have current CPR/First Aid certifications and a valid TN driver license. Jobe posting closes March 16.
Click here
to learn more and apply.
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Feedback Requested on How You Thrive Outside
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It’s no secret that the greater Chattanooga region is a mecca for outdoor activities! That doesn't happen by accident. There is a lot of thoughtful planning and partnerships involved in the building and maintenance of our beloved outdoor spaces.
Thrive Regional Partnership
is polling outdoor recreationists in the region to see where people go outside to play in an effort to connect local communities to the rising recreation economy. As a reader of our newsletter, your input is valued! This information will help Thrive and its partners support local communities as they build economic strategies around outdoor recreation and tourism.
Take the survey
→
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Chattanooga Marathon
March 6-8
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The 5th annual
Chattanooga Marathon
brings over 2,000 endurance runners to the Scenic City for a weekend filled with excitement and activities. With the start and finish line at Finley Stadium, the race course gives runners a tour of downtown while spectators can enjoy
neighborhoood parties
or the expo at the
First Tennessee Pavilion
. There's still time to
register
for all the distances including the full marathon, half, 5K and kids 1 mile run. Or
sign up to volunteer
and cheer on the athletes. As with all big events, the marathon course will have an impact on traffic and cause some road closures throughout the day.
Find out more here
.
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Weed Wrangle Chattanooga
March 7 | 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
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Weed Wrangle®, is a one-day, citywide, volunteer effort to help rescue our public parks and green spaces from invasive species through hands-on removal of especially harmful trees, vines and flowering plants, such as honeysuckle, Chinese privet, English ivy, and kudzu. Supervised by experts in invasive weed management, Weed Wrangle®-volunteers will learn, practice, and begin a habit of maintaining an area free of invasive plants. All tools will be provided. Please wear long pants and close-toed shoes. Bring gloves if you have them. Work will be on uneven terrain.
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Weed Wrangle® is also a state-wide clean-up event dedicated to ridding Tennessee of non-native plant species. On Saturday, March 2, 2019, volunteers from across the state will be helping to eradicate invasive plants in public spaces. Join the volunteer efforts at Booker T, Harrison Bay or Ocoee/Hiwassee State Parks.
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March 4ward - Ryan Keller Memorial Hike
March 7 | 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
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Join
Bridge Chattanooga
to celebrate the lasting legacy of Ryan Keller during a beautiful 3.5 mile hike on the Ritchie Hollow Trail in the Tennessee River Gorge. After the hike, enjoy lunch and a brief update about Ryan's vision - Bridge Chattanooga. This innovative program continues to connect Dalewood Middle School students to nature and community experiences that teach students the skills needed to build resilience and live a healthy, productive, and joyful life. The event is free, but donations are recommended. All donations made during this event will benefit the students served through this dynamic after-school experience.Visit the link below to learn more.
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Wild Ones 2020 Plant Natives Symposium
March 14 | 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
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The
Tennessee Valley Chapter of the Wild Ones
is hosting their 9th annual native plant symposium “Plant Natives 2020!” on March 14 at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga University Center starting 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. with registration beginning at 8 a.m. This annual event brings gardeners, conservationists, landscapers and policy makers together for inspiration and education and focuses on the importance of native plants as the foundation for preserving and promoting biodiversity.
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Chattanooga Ducks Unlimited Great Outdoor Festival
March 14 | 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
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The Chattanooga-area chapter of the
Ducks Unlimited
conservation organization will host its 5th annual
Great Outdoors Festival
, sponsored by
Sportsman's Warehouse
, on Saturday, March 14 from 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM at
Covey Creek Farm
in Rossville, GA. The Festival is FREE for all ages and includes a Ducks Unlimited membership and goodie bag for the first 300 kids 17 and under to register for the event. There will be lots of kid-friendly outdoor activities, give-a-ways and lunch will be provided. Advanced
Registration
is recommended. It will charge $1 to hold your spot and will be refunded once you check in at the event
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Learn to Turkey Hunt
March 27-29
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Learn the art of turkey hunting with
Tennessee Wildlife Federation
’s Hunting and Fishing Academy. This two-day experience provides engaging, hands-on instruction in the art of being an outdoorsman to first-time and novice youth hunters and their parent. By the end of the weekend, you’ll have everything you need to go again on your own. The experience costs $300—$150 for the participating youth and $150 for the participating parent/ guardian. To learn more about the experience, other dates, and pricing, complete the form at:
tnwf.org/hunting-and-fishing-academy-interest-survey
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Looking Ahead...Upcoming Events
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Outdoor Chattanooga | 423.643.6888 | info@outdoorchattanooga.com | www.outdoorchattanooga.com
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