Wildlife Photograph

Education Programs

Since the early days of HP and Alice Ijams, when they encouraged people from across the community to enjoy their Bird Sanctuary, education has played a central role here at Ijams. In 2010, Ijams Nature Center will celebrate its 100th anniversary, marking a century-long green movement started all those years ago by Knoxville's original green family.

Ijams Nature Center's mission is to develop and maintain the park as a wildlife sanctuary. Ijams seeks to increase knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of the natural world by providing quality environmental educational programs and nature-related experiences for all people.

Priority Themes and Programming
Currently, Ijams Nature Center accomplishes its mission by focusing on the following environmental themes:

I. Conservation & Sustainable Land Management: Protecting and providing educational and recreational access to park acreage and green spaces through sustainable stewardship, best practices, and horticulture.

II. The Green Earth: Understanding and applying solutions to local, national, and global environmental issues within daily lives, including global climate change, air quality, water quality, alternative energy, and solid waste reduction.

III. Natural History and Earth Science: Discovering the amazing adaptations, behavior and biological diversity of flora & fauna throughout East Tennessee.

IV. Fragile Existences: Understanding endangered species and the stresses affecting critical habitat protection.

V. Natural Connections: Experiencing, appreciating, interpreting, and enjoying the natural world at Ijams and throughout the region.


To learn more about Ijams' diverse education programs, simply browse the easy-to-use menus related to this section.