Hummingbirds – Our Feathered Rainbows with Stephen Lyn Bales
Register for Zoom Link and Recording

Thursday, April 3rd on ZOOM at 7pm EDT
Our hummingbirds are returning to East Tennessee in April after their winter migration. Did you know there are over 330 hummingbird species, but they are only found in North and South America? They may be small, but they are colorful and powerful.
Join the UT Arboretum Society via Zoom on Thursday, April 3, 7pm EDT as Michelle Campanis, education coordinator at the University of Tennessee Arboretum, and naturalist/author Stephen Lyn Bales, give us an overview of our beloved hummingbirds. The First Thursday Nature Supper Club presentation is hosted by the UT Arboretum Society each month. The class is free, but you must register to receive the Zoom link and recording.
These vibrant flower-loving pixies occur in a wider range of colors than all other bird species combined. Purple, yellow, green, crimson, blue, like the colors of a rainbow. The wintertime Rufous Hummingbird is even bathed in UT Orange! Yet, the Ruby-throated Hummingbird is our most familiar summertime hummer.
Closed captions are available. Please contact Michelle at mcampani@utk.edu for any questions or registration issues.
Photo credit for flyer: The Rufous Hummingbird is the most common wintertime visitor in Tennessee. Photo by Matthew Pendleton/Cornell
UT Arboretum Society Spring Plant Sale

Friday April 11 and Saturday April 12
The University of Tennessee Arboretum Society’s 57th Spring Plant Sale will take place on Friday, April 11th and Saturday, April 12th. The public sale will be held on Saturday, April 12th from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the UT Arboretum at 901 S. Illinois Ave. (Hwy. 62) in Oak Ridge. The Society’s “Members Only” sale will be on Friday evening, April 12th from 4-7 p.m.
UTAS memberships or membership renewals may be purchased online or onsite Friday evening for this “early bird” shopping opportunity. By joining UTAS on Friday night, people can enjoy the membership benefit of having the first pick of our beautiful selection of plants, some of which sell out that evening. Checks, cash and credit cards will be accepted.
Tennessee Naturescapes from Clinton, Riverdale Nursery from Knoxville and East Fork Nursery from Sevierville will be offering a large and varied selection of shrubs, native plants, perennials, annuals, herbs, vegetable starts, berries and brambles.
For information or questions contact Michelle Campanis.
Exploring the World of Bats and How You Can Help!
Register for Zoom Link and Recording

Tuesday, April 15th on ZOOM at 7pm EDT
Bats need our help now more than ever! A recent report determined that over 50% of our native bats are considered at-risk. Besides adding diversity and flair to local wildlife, our bats consume countless pest insects every single night. These nocturnal neighbors need our help now more than ever. Join Bat Conservation International’s Community Engagement Manager Erin Cord as she talks about your local bats, the threats they face, and how you can help them right in the comfort of your own backyard! This event is co-hosted by The University of Tennessee Arboretum Society and Tennessee Citizens for Wilderness Planning.
This is a free event but you must register to receive Zoom link and a copy of the recording. Closed captions are available.
About Our Presenter:
Erin joined the BCI staff in 2019 and is proud to be doing community engagement work on behalf of the organization. Erin double majored in Wildlife Conservation and Entomology from the University of Delaware and received her MS in Wildlife Ecology from the Cesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute at Texas A&M University-Kingsville. She has over 10 years of experience working as a wildlife biologist and running environmentally focused volunteer, outreach, and education programs. Erin is happiest working at the intersection of science communication and citizen empowerment. She loves working outside and getting people excited about environmental stewardship and wildlife conservation.
Photo Credit: Big Brown Bat by Michael Durham_Minden Pictures
Please contact Michelle at mcampani@utk.edu for any questions or registration issues.
