Hill Happenings
Greetings from Owl’s Hill Nature Sanctuary,
Like everyone, the entire Owl’s Hill team has adapted to the challenges of COVID-19. This is the time of year when our parking lot is usually filled with yellow school buses, bringing thousands of curious children, teachers and parents eager to explore nature’s habitats at Owls Hill. Birthday party celebrations, home school programs, bird banding research, Tennessee Naturalist training, volunteer interactions and popular public programs including our Wild Flower hikes -- all cancelled with each passing week. An unsettling quietness set in. For the first time, we found ourselves working from home.
All the while, we kept our trails open to
Day Passes
to fill the increased need for safe places for individuals and families to spend time outdoors. We’ve had essential staff only on-site and new, no contact, procedures to protect both Day Pass visitors and staff. We launched
Backyard Naturalist
, an on-line series of nature-based topics with information, activities and crafts that teachers (and parents) can use as a tool with their remote teaching. A reminder for all of us to step outside and safely explore our own backyards.
As the State begins to reopen, the unfolding “new normal” feels like a new season. Spring is beginning to fold into Summer taking with it the deep blues, majestic purples, and bright yellows of the early wildflowers. Owl’s Hill will have a measured reopening that keeps the welfare and safety of our staff and visitors at the forefront. Trails access will expand to Tuesday – Saturday (9 am – 3 pm). We are carefully considering all the information available from the CDC, American Camp Association and state health authorities to make a determination about summer camp by mid-May. We’re also identifying opportunities for physically-distanced volunteering in the gardens, removing non-native plants and tidying up the trails. Be sure to check for updates on our
COVID-19 page
.
There is comfort in nature during these ever-changing times. Step outside - close your eyes, enjoy the clean air, feel the sun on your face, listen for tree frogs calling, birds singing and crickets chirping. And, if nature matters to you, please consider making a gift to Owl’s Hill during the
Big Payback
so we can get back to doing what we do best – connecting people with the wonders of nature. Your support means everything to us.
From the entire staff at Owl's Hill, stay well and keep washing your hands like a raccoon!
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Wednesday, May 6 / 6PM to
Thursday, May 7 / 6PM
THE FIRST $5,000
will be
matched $1 to $1
by our friends at the
Barbara J Mapp Foundation
, AND we'll be going for the prize money
Thursday, May 7 from 2:01am - 6:00am
to help boost us toward the goal!
...so #Give2Hoots for Owl's Hill and help us #CelebrateTheWild in Middle Tennessee
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Online Backyard Naturalist
Have you checked out our Backyard Naturalist series yet? Every week we bring you new activities for kids and adults to help you explore the world, starting in your own backyard.
Hop on over
for crafts, journaling activities, and resources to help you get acquainted with your neighborhood plants and animals.
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Will There be Summer Camp?
Like day camps and overnight camps everywhere, we are evaluating how we might open safely. We are keeping close tabs on developing camp guidelines to be issued in the coming days from the CDC and American Camp Association (ACA) as well as monitoring the State’s phased reopening guidelines.
In the meantime, Owl’s Hill is looking at camp adaptations that would include:
- a required pre-camp health questionnaire for campers and camp staff
- daily health screening of campers and camp staff
- assigning campers and camp staff into smaller groups for the entire week
- increased handwashing at an outdoor hand-washing station
- asking parents to pack a cloth face covering in addition to sunscreen and bug spray
- staff serving Hot Dog Friday one-on-one, no buffet line
Owl’s Hill is committed to providing a safe and fun-filled camp experience. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us at
info@owlshill.org
should you have any questions."
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RESERVE YOUR SPOT TODAY!
Camps Limited to 25 Participants
Nature Ranger Camp: Ages 5 - 11
Session I: June 1 - 5
Session II: June 15 - 19
Session III: July 13 - 17
Session IV: July 27 - 31
Outdoor Explorer Camp: Ages 5 - 11
Session I: June 8 - 12
Session II: July 6 - 10
Session III: July 20 - 24
Session IV (3-days/ $200): August 3 - 5
Animal Caretaker: Ages 12 - 16
June 22 - 26
SOLD OUT
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Thank you for your support!
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We are excited to announce that we have been chosen to participate in a special charitable giving campaign, sponsored and funded by Target.
And YOU have the chance to help direct a portion of Target’s donation to us!
April 1st through June 30th
, vote for us through the Target Circle program to help determine how Target’s donation will be divvied up.
Every vote counts to help us receive a portion of the available Target funds.
Don’t forget, as you earn more votes, you can keep voting multiple times during the campaign!
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Nature Matters to Our Generous Supporters
April 2020
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Owl’s Hill relies on private gifts from individuals, foundations and businesses to annually carry out our mission to protect the 2,000+ species that call the 300+ acre Sanctuary home and to keep us operating as a thriving environmental education destination. Our sincere gratitude to all those who generously gave gifts in April.
If nature matters to you too, please consider making a
gift today
.
Every gift — large or small — directly impacts the plants, the wildlife and the ecology of Owl’s Hill Nature Sanctuary.
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Lida and Lou Alsobrooks
Nicole Clayton
Karen Donegan
Joyce and David Eyler
Cassie Fahrney
Diane Honda
Peggy and Paul Kingsbury
Martha and Larry Larkin
Susan and Larry Leathers
Calvin and Molly Miller
*Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee
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Vincent Moscinski
Lisa Quillman
Linda Ramsey
Victoria and Seth Robertson
Barbara and Charles Smith
Lisa and Joel Smith
Frances Spradley
David Weber
Robert Weiss
William R. Taber, Jr. Advised Fund*
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