Chapters in Tennessee

Join Dr. Joseph K. Gordon to learn about our local herpetofauna (frogs, salamanders, turtles, lizards, and snakes) and to discover some key strategies for welcoming and observing these beautiful, fascinating animals in your yard. 

Dr. Gordon (Joe) is Professor of Theology at Johnson University. He holds Tennessee Naturalist, Southern Appalachian Naturalist, Master Herpetologist, and Venomous Reptile Handling certifications and is conducting multiple scientific studies of the snakes and other herps of east Tennessee. He lives in south Knox County with his spouse and two children near the French Broad River. They are slowly (but surely) rewilding their yard, and his eight-year-old-son is trying to talk him into starting a native plant nursery. 

​Livestream also available; please register to receive the Zoom link.

This event is also a plant/seed swap! Bring any seeds or potted native plants you'd like to offer up for trading.

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IMPORTANT: This seminar is in a different building than our usual meeting location at the Carriage House. We will be meeting at the Dogwood Center.

2817 Boyds Bridge Pike

Knoxville, TN 37914

Enter the gravel driveway at the corner of Wimpole Avenue and Houston Street and follow the path down and around to the left. You will fully circle around the Dogwood Center and arrive at the adjacent parking lot.

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REGISTER HERE: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/tennessee-herps-reptiles-and-amphibians-in-your-yard-hospitality-for-our-local-creeping-things

Join us on Zoom to hear the wonderful Mary Anne Borge present on the seasonal timing of asters, just as we are beginning to enjoy the beauty of fall asters. 

This session equips students with a clear understanding of how invasive species disrupt Tennessee Valley ecosystems—and what effective, ethical control actually looks like. We’ll explore the traits that make invasives so aggressive, learn to identify the region’s most problematic species, and compare management strategies ranging from manual removal to targeted chemical use. Students will leave with practical, site‑appropriate approaches for reducing invasive pressure and restoring space for native plant communities to thrive.

After the classroom session is over, we'll go to a long term WaterWays' restoration site at Read's Creek in the Mountain Creek watershed for on-site invasive plant identification and removal techniques.

Please note, all Certificate in Native Plant classes REQUIRE registration.

Be on the lookout: Once you have registered, we will email you with pre-course work and any other materials needed for this class.

Materials to bring! Notebook, pencils, snacks, water, and a lunch. Please wear weather-appropriate clothing and footwear.

Registration Policy: 

As with all CNP classes, class size is limited. To give everyone the best opportunity to participate, there is a non-refundable cancellation fee of $10, with the balance refunded if you cancel at least 7 calendar days before the class will be held. If the class is cancelled by the instructor or the CNP program, registrants will get a full refund.

If registration is full, you may email [email protected] and ask to be placed on a wait list.  This is not a guarantee that a spot will open up. 
Likewise, if you need to cancel your seat, email [email protected] 
Registration required and limited seating.

Lastly, please be gracious, we are all volunteers.

Join Tennessee Valley Chapter of Wild Ones for our 7-class series in Ecological Gardening, taught by local experts who are passionate personal and professional ecological gardeners. You can attend classes as a series, or as standalone classes. 

This sixth class in the Ecological Gardening Series will cover garden maintenance from an ecological perspective. This will be outdoors at Lynbrook Park. 

More details to come!

Workshop presenter: Lyn Rutherford, Natural Resource Supervisor, City of Chattanooga, Department of Parks & Outdoors

Join us and Crabtree Farms for a September discussion of The Home Place by our 2026 Distinguished Lecturer, Dr. J. Drew Lanham. This celebrated memoir explores identity, belonging, and our deep ties to the natural world. 

“I believe the best way to begin reconnecting humanity’s heart, mind, and soul to nature is for us to share our individual stories.” — The Home Place 

A perfect lead‑in to Dr. Lanham’s Distinguished Lecture Series event on October 2.