Wildlife Weekend

Steele Creek Park To Host Speaker, Art Exhibit, More Oct. 10-11

BRISTOL, Tenn. – The 11th year for the Steele Creek Nature Center’s Wildlife Weekend will cover a variety of subjects and activities for all ages and activity levels on Oct 10-11.
Crafts, activities for children, hikes and seminars abound, all with some of the top naturalists from the region and beyond. All events are free and will begin from the Steele Creek Park Lodge.
Keynote presenter is Dr. Jeffrey Glassberg, president of the North American Butterfly Association and author of several books, including the popular “Butterflies through Binoculars” field guide series. A reception on Friday begins at 6:15 p.m. with Glassberg speaking at 7 p.m. on “Butterflies through Binoculars.” At 8:15 p.m., a program on “Birds of Prey” will be presented by Marty Silver of Warriors Path State Park in Kingsport.
The reception also showcases local photographers who have captured scenes of Steele Creek Park.
The work of Bristol, Va. artist Joyce Kistner, featured in the Lodge, will depict flora and fauna created using various media including water color, acrylic on canvas, paper and board plus collage. Her paintings are available for purchase with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Friends of Steele Creek Nature Center and Park.
Kistner is a member of Art of the Highlands Group and Bristol Art Guild. She is the recipient of awards and has paintings in homes and collections. The gallery will remain open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 11.

EVENTS PLANNED ON SATURDAY INCLUDE:
8:30 a.m.: Bird Walk with Rick Knight.
9 a.m.: Bird Banding with Richard Lewis, Bristol Bird Club.
10 a.m.: Nature Hike led by Jeffrey Glassberg/ Youth Hike lead by Charlie Parker.
Noon: Luncheon at the Family Fit Trail by the City of Bristol and Friends of Steele Creek Nature Center and Park/Nature Center Gardens with Sharon Foster.
1 p.m.:  Family Fitness Trail hike led by Bristol’s Promise: Move to a Healthier You.
1:30 p.m.: “Ice Age Cave Paleontology of the Region” by Dr. Blaine Schubert.                 
3 p.m.: Mushroom/Wildflower Walk with Gabrielle Zieger.
4 p.m.: Cave and Geology hike led by Jeremy Stout.
Wildlife Weekend is sponsored by the City of Bristol, Tenn., and the Friends of Steele Creek Nature Center and Park. Call (423) 989-5616 for more information.