Membership
Ijams Nature Center is a special place where you can learn, play, and explore. Your membership helps it stay that way!
Membership Matters!
Cultivate a connection with nature and become an active part of your community by joining Ijams Nature Center as a member! Memberships are valuable, fun, and interactive. When you give just a little, the returns benefit you, the community, and the natural world that surrounds us.
EVERGREEN MEMBERSHIP
Break the cost of your annual membership into recurring monthly or quarterly installments by becoming an Evergreen member! You can set payments to occur for just 12 months, or leave the date open to automatically renew your support year after year!
As an Evergreen member, your membership will automatically renew, and you’ll receive a hangtag with a new expiration date.
To join by phone, call Ray Griffin at +1865-577-4717 ext. 1007. You also can join in person at the Visitor Center.
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NOTE: It takes between 7-14 business days to process memberships. If you need your hangtag more quickly, please join at the Visitor Center Front Desk during regular business hours.
Member Levels
Members receive special benefits, including FREE parking and access to FREE Members Only programs!
Parking Update
Starting July 1, 2026, Southeast Parking will manage parking services at Ijams Nature Center. Ijams members always park for FREE! Non-members will be able to purchase a daily ($5), weekly ($12), or annual ($50) parking "session."
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As part of this change, Ijams is collecting and managing license plate information for members. If you provide your license plate(s) to Ijams, staff will include it, along with your name and membership expiration date, on an Exemption List. This list will be shared with Southeast Parking. Ijams will NOT share your email address or other contact information with any third party.
It is NOT mandatory to share your license plate information. However, if you choose NOT to share your license plates, you must display your hangtag in your vehicle at all times while parked at Ijams to avoid being ticketed.
If you set up a free Ijams account with Metropolis prior to May 19, 2026, Ijams should already have your license plates. If you would like to add, verify, or update your license plates, please fill out the License Plate Form. ​​
Friend $75 ($6.25/mo.)
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Includes all members of the household
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Free parking (annual parking pass for one car)
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Exclusive access to free monthly Members Only programs
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Reciprocal benefits at 150+ nature centers nationwide
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Subscription to Ijams weekly email newsletter
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Active Military / Veteran $50 (~$5/mo.)
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Includes all members of the household
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Free parking (annual parking pass for one car)
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Exclusive access to free monthly Members Only programs
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Reciprocal benefits at 150+ nature centers nationwide
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Subscription to Ijams weekly email newsletter
Explorer $125 (~$10/mo.)
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All benefits of Friend level +
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Second annual parking pass
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10% discount in the gift shop
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15% discount on Navitat Knoxville
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Discounts on Ijams camps
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Trailblazer $250 (~$21/mo.)
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All benefits of Explorer level +
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Early registration for Ijams summer camps
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Discounts on select Ijams programs
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10% discount on facility rentals
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Guardian $500 (~$42/mo.)
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All benefits of Trailblazer level +
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2 day-parking passes for guests (will get at front desk)
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Invitations to special member events
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1910 Society $1,910 (~$159/mo.)
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All benefits Guardian level +
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6 day-parking passes for guests (will get at front desk)
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Invitations to special member events
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Invitations to 1910 Society events
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Senior (65+) $35 (~$3/mo.)
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Includes all members of the household
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Free parking (annual parking pass for one car)
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Exclusive access to free monthly Members Only programs
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Reciprocal benefits at 150+ nature centers nationwide
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Subscription to Ijams weekly email newsletter
Student $35 (~$3/mo.)
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Membership for one individual ONLY
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Free parking (annual parking pass for one car)
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Exclusive access to free monthly Members Only programs
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Reciprocal benefits at 150+ nature centers nationwide
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Subscription to Ijams weekly email newsletter
Access for All $10
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All benefits of Friend level
Access for All membership is available to members whose total household income is at or below 133% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (see chart below) or are participating in KCDC housing. This membership is available from the Visitor Center Front Desk during regular business hours. Individuals will need to bring proof of status, such as W-2s/1099s/1099-INTs for adults in the household, a copy of their most recent taxes, or a KCDC card.
If you'd prefer to make a donation or would like to make an additional gift to Ijams, please visit the Ijams Donations page.
Other Ways to Give
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Give a gift membership
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Contribute to a donation box when you visit Ijams
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Donate an item from the Ijams Wish List
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Donate to Community Shares through your work giving program and choose Ijams as the beneficiary
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Sign up for the Kroger Community Rewards Program and choose Ijams as the beneficiary
PRIVACY POLICY
Ijams Nature Center does not share or sell donor information. ​