JANUARY 2020
Photo Credit: Richard Hitt/ Owl's Hill Nature Sanctuary
This fall our lower pond began to change. Within weeks, the entire pond looked like a red sweater and has been the topic of many conversations.

So, what IS it?
Its common name is Red Water Fern , however there is some debate as to its scientific name in the aquatic botanical community. We do know that it is not an invasive species (Yay!), but definitely one we will need to control.

Azolla filiculoides is one of six water fern species in the world. It is a small free-floating fern with tiny lacy overlapping fronds/leaves.

iNaturalist has 6 observations of A. filiculoides in our region.
The Christmas Bird Count is a long-standing early-winter bird census of the National Audubon Society, with over 100 years of community science involvement. It is held annually between December 14 and January 5.

This year Owl's Hill volunteers accounted for an incredible 482 birds representing 29 species including a stunning flock of Cedar waxwings and four Hermit Thrush ( Catharus guttatus) (pictured left). The only brown thrush you will find in the state in the winter months.

Many thanks to our volunteer counters - Kristy Baker, Jean Buchanan Paula Flynn, Mary Healy, Denis Lovell, Brickey Nuchols, Polly Rooker who did a spectacular job!
Marshmallow Hikes
January 11
Cost: $10pp in advance
$12pp at the door
(subject to availability)
Geocaching Day
Saturday, January 25
10am
$10pp or $36/group of 4
Wild About Bluebirds
Saturday, February 8
10am
$36/ group of 4
OWL'S HILL CAMPS
All Registrations Open January 25th!
Spring Break Camp 2020
Ages 5 - 11
At Owl's Hill Nature Sanctuary, we want to share an amazing world of wonder with your child. Here, nature is the guide and it leads us to crayfish in the creek, meeting animal friends and hiking in the woods. Includes a hot dog lunch on Friday

Dates: March 16 - 20
Time: 9am - 3pm
Cost: $280 for the 5-day week
$60 daily rate
Extended Care:
  • $45 per session/camper (A.M. or P.M.)
  • $80 for combined extended care (A.M. + P.M.)
  • $16 per day/camper
Summer Camp 2020
Summer Camp offers learning experiences that deepen the appreciation for the outdoors and encourage stewardship of the environment. The Nature Ranger Camp and Outdoor Explorer Camp offers a variety of outdoor activities including live animal presentations, creating crafts, building eco-structures, catching critters, and hiking ridges to beautiful views. Campers bond with like-minded campers and expand their nature knowledge.

Camp is limited in size so each child receives individual attention.

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 (Partial Week): August 3 - 5

Animal Caretaker: Ages 12 - 16
June 24 - 28  9:00pm - 2:00pm

Extended Care:
  • $45 per session/camper
(A.M. or P.M.)
  • $80 for combined extended care (A.M. + P.M.)
NATURE MATTERS TO OUR GENEROUS SUPPORTERS
AWC Family Foundation
Dane Andersen and Mary Pemberton
Jessica and Doug Anderson
Carolyn and Kirby Baker
Jean and David Buchanan
Gerry Burke
Mary and Hank Brockman
Georgeann Brown
Lori C. Canale
Barbara Futter
Stephen P. Ford
Catherine and Scott Gain
George and Nancy Garden
Sue and Mike Gay
Dr. and Mrs. James H. Gentry, Jr.
Patty and Steve Ghertner
Claudia and John Gifford, Jr.
Jane and Pete Giordano
Dr. Morel Enoch Harvey
Barbara and Gehrig Harris
Matt Heasley
Craig Anne and R. Scott Heflinger
Mimi and Russ Heldman
Susan and Henry Hipkens
Dr. David Hobbs
Margie Hunter
Virginia and Robert Ingle
Kerrie and John T. Johnson
Llew Ann and Matthew King

* Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee
Peggy and Paul Kingsbury
Kroger Community Rewards
Helen Lainhart
Susan and Larry Leathers
Kelly and Ron Lee
Stephanie and Christopher Louder
Amy MacKenzie
Make Your Community Flower Fund *
Kay Matthews
Barbara J. Mapp Foundation
Debby and Norm Miede
Kathy and DIck Minton
Michael Modrak
Julieanne O'Hara
Marguerite and Lee Peterseim
Rachel Price
Linda Ramsey
Nathaniel Renfro
Jane and Ralph Roach
Victoria and Seth Robertson
Jessica Sellers
Alix Weiss Sharp
Barbara and Charles Smith
Stan and Suzanne St. Pierre Foundation
Maria Sorrentino
T & T Family Foundation
Erica Waters Orzechowski
Sarah Webster
Barbara and L. Glenn Worley
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 December.

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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