Ijams Nature Center Opens New Natural Play Area for Children Only

A new natural play area opened at Ijams Nature Center on Saturday, May 28, 2011. Jo's Grove, just for children, was designed specifically to support Ijams' First Child in the Woods education series, which emphasizes the spontaneous learning that occurs when children play outdoors. It is a place that sparks creativity and surprises the senses.

Jo's Grove was named after H.P. and Alice Ijams' second daughter, Josephine. Josephine was born in 1909 and spent practically all of her waking hours outdoors. She began publishing the Ijams Family Newsletter in 1922 at age 10, which reflected the family's fascinating domestic activities, art, poetry, and wildlife happenings. 

As an adult, Jo Ijams Kern was Conservation Chairman for the Knoxville Garden Club. As an advocate for state parks, she attended numerous conservation workshops with Knoxville teachers at Fall Creek Falls State Park. Jo and her husband, Albert, also worked hard with the Trust for Public Land to create House Mountain State Park near Knoxville and served as a Board member of Ijams Nature Center before she died in 1990. 

Upcoming events for all ages at Ijams Nature Center include:

Saturday June 4: Organic Gardening  

Monday June 6- Friday June 10: Nature Day Camp, Forest Fairy Tales and Nature Detectives

Monday June 6- Friday June 10: Nature Day Camp, Forest Fairy Tales and Nature Detectives  

Thursday June 9: Family Day Camp, Fun with Geology  

Friday June 10: Night Lights/Fireflies

Saturday June 11: Elementary Explorers, The Water Cycle   

Monday June 13- Friday June 1: Nature Day Camp, Magical Mystery Tour  

Thursday June 16: Nature Preschool, Fun With Reptiles  

Saturday June 18: Walk-About, Carl Cowan Park  

Saturday June 18: Meadow Lark Summer Concert

Published June 2, 2011