Worthington Cemetery Trail & Oak Ridge Barrens BioBlitz

Celebrate National Public Lands Day with DLiA and friends! Join Discover Life in America, the Tennessee Valley Authority, and Tennessee Citizens for Wilderness Planning for a free, family-friendly BioBlitz in Oak Ridge’s cedar barrens. A BioBlitz is an opportunity for people of all ages and skill-levels to learn about local animals and plants while contributing to science! We will explore what lives along the Worthington Cemetery Trail at Melton Hill Reservoir and in the Oak Ridge Barrens Natural Area.

Two chances to ‘blitz!

Friday, September 25 from 7pm to 10pm Eastern: Throughout the evening, we will survey for plants, insects, and more! At dusk, we will set up black lights to monitor insect populations, and we may hear bats with our echolocation detector!

Saturday, September 26 from 8am to 11am Eastern: We will start by looking and listening for birds, then continue to look for other flora and fauna throughout the morning.

Where?

We will meet at the Worthington Cemetery Trail and divide into groups to explore both areas (a five-minute drive apart).

About Worthington Cemetery Trail (from TVA):

This TVA area is special because of the unusual cedar barren habitat, which is more common in middle Tennessee. A cedar barren is an open area surrounded by plants that prefer thin, shallow soils around limestone outcroppings like Eastern red cedar, blazing star, prairie dock and big bluestem. Other features of this trail include an old cemetery (1800s), a pond and a recently built pier that extends out into a wetland, offering an excellent opportunity to see some of the 125 bird species that have been observed here. An easy trail for young ones to navigate—but be prepared to get muddy as the trail holds water.

This trail is east of Oak Ridge, Tennessee, on Hwy. 95 at Elza Gate Park.

About Oak Ridge Barrens (from TCWP): 

Oak Ridge Barrens (the Barrens) is a registered state natural area preserved in 1988 by agreement of the City of Oak Ridge (the City), Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), and Tennessee Citizens for Wilderness Planning (TCWP). TCWP maintains the Oak Ridge Cedar Barrens to preserve its unique community of rare plants, control invasive species, and protect its open, prairie-like environment. The Barrens support at least two rare or endangered plant species in Tennessee, prairie goldenrod and Torrey’s mountain mint. 

The Oak Ridge Barrens are accessed from the parking lot of Jefferson Middle School (200 Fairbanks Road, Oak Ridge).