Warner Park Nature Center
celebrating 50 years of wpnc
Share your wpnc story
50th scavenger hunt
upcoming EVENTS
50 Years of Connecting People to Nature
The environmental climate of the 1970s gave birth to “centers of nature” and conservation programs around the country. In 1973, the first Metro Park Naturalist was hired and the Warner Park Nature Center (WPNC) became the first environmental education facility for the Warner Parks and the city of Nashville.
For 50 years, the Warner Park Nature Center has impacted the hearts and minds of countless students, parents, families, researchers, nature lovers, and more. We hope you will join us this year as we celebrate this golden anniversary and incredible milestone for WPNC.
Did You Know?
The Warner Park Nature Center was “born in the Holiday Inn near I-40 in Crossville, TN”.
WPNC was established in a meeting in a motel in Crossville TN. Mary Wherry, who was the Metro Parks Recreation Division Superintendent at the time, is often called the “mother” of the Nature Center. Legend has it that she drove to Crossville during a winter ice storm in order to meet with USDA representatives from Knoxville to sign the paperwork which would ultimately establish the Warner Park Nature Center.
Did You Know?
WPNC Leaders Bob Parrish, Deb Beazley, and Sandy Bivens all started at WPNC in 1977.
None of the trio had any experience in conservation, environmental education, or natural resources management, and over the 40+ years all have been employed in Warner Parks, they learned “on the job” and were the driving force behind many WPNC and Warner Parks institutions that still exist today. Sandy Bivens and Bob Parrish both still work in Warner Parks and Deb, now retired, is an avid volunteer.
Did You Know?
WPNC’s First Director, David Shaffer, was the only staff member when the nature center was established in 1973.
A newspaper article called him “Nashville’s Own Nature Freak” and he was charged with starting a nature center in Warner Parks. He lived on-site in an existing farmhouse (now the Library Building and office for the BIRD program) and developed the first programs, trails, displays, and nature center campus features.
Share Your WPNC Story
“When I think back on the things that have shaped my love of nature and guided my environmental career, I find that the positive influence of the Warner Park Nature Center has been profound, inestimable.”
Lyn Rutherford
Natural Resource Supervisor Dept. of Parks and Outdoors, Chattanooga
50th anniversary tshirts
Upcoming BIRD Events
WPNC By The Numbers
1973-2023
people served at wpnc
school programs
birds banded
volunteers
Upcoming Nature Center Events
Romantic Spring Serenade
Romantic Spring Serenade
Bring a blanket, picnic dinner, and mocktails for a romantic get-away in the rolling hills of the Burch Reserve.
Explore with a Naturalist
Explore with a Naturalist
Drop by the Warner Park Nature Center to explore with a Naturalist. Emphasis on discovery, observation, and connecting with nature.
Spring Bird Banding
Spring Bird Banding
Come observe licensed banders from our BIRD Program manage our bird banding station and carefully catch, band, and release birds.