Wildlife Photograph

 WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

The beginnings of Ijams Nature Center began in 1910 when H.P. and Alice Ijams made their home here on the original 20-acres. Although the Ijams' house is no longer standing, you can still explore their Home Site, with ponds, rock gardens, and overlooks, which is virtually unchanged since they lived there.

The topography of the Home Site segues into rolling woodland wildflower trails, and incorporates the former Lotus Pond, and a charming boardwalk on the Tennessee River.

Key Features:

  • Visitor Center with exhibits, gift shop, restrooms
  • Home Site with greenhouse and organic garden
  • Tennessee River Boardwalk
  • Raptor Enclosure and amphitheater
  • Jo's Grove Nature Playscape
  • Universal Pond
  • Invertebrate In

 

Jo's Grove

Woodland Sprite #1

Jo's Grove is a new nature playscape designed just for children and located to the left of the grassy emphitheater in front of the visitor center. The area is named after Josephine Ijams one of the four Ijams daughters who were the first children to enjoy the true natural splendor of this property. We hope that within this space, you and your children will find imagination, whimsy, and merriment. This area was specifically designed to support our First Child in the Woods program, which emphasizes the spontaneous learning that occurs when children play outdoors. It is a place that will spark creativity and surprise the senses. Whether your children choose to explore hidden spaces or gather materials for a woodland fort or fairy house, we hope they will truly experience nature.

We invite you to enter this special place of exploration, touch the earth, and in turn be touched by it.

Read a story featured in the Knoxville Sentinel here.