August Program
Owl Ridge Raptor Center with Lisa Thomison
When: Tuesday, August 11, 2026, 7:00-8:30 PM
Where: Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church 2931 Kingston Pike, Knoxville TN
Come and see live owls and learn about the Owl Ridge Raptor Center, a non-profit organization dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and release of our native birds of prey. They partner with TWRA, USFWS, the University of TN, Chattanooga Zoo, local veterinarians and a network of other rehabbers to give each bird of prey the best chance at recovery and return to the wild. They are currently the only active bird of prey rehab facility in this area.
They will bring 6 birds of prey - Beak, a Great Horned Owl, Thistle, a Barn Owl, Nugget and Fizzgig, Eastern Screech Owls, Littledude, a Barred Owl and Astrid, an American Kestrel. You will learn about their natural history.
To support the Owl Ridge Raptor Center they will be glad to receive any donations that participants are willing to make. Donations can also be sent to the Owl Ridge Raptor Center, 614 Collins Ridge Rd, Washburn TN 37888.
September Program
Annual HBG Picnic
When: Tuesday, September 8, 2026, 5:00-8:30 PM
Where: Clark Center Park, 7620 Bull Bluff Rd, Knoxville, TN 37932
Our annual picnic is a chance to get together for a few hours with good food and good friends. It's very informal, and even if you're not an active Sierra Club member or even a member, we welcome you to this event. There will be some representatives from Advocates For the Oak Ridge Reservation (AFORR) to talk about the effort to turn this DOE park into a new Tennessee State Park and blueway hub for the Clinch River. we'll have an opportunity to view the current boat launch, picnic areas, swimming beach, and walking trails and review the plan for transforming this aging DOE park into modern and dynamic State Park.
The picnic is semi-pot luck. HBG will be grilling hamburgers, veggie burgers, and hotdogs and there will be buns and condiments. Participants are urged to bring a salad, hot dish, cold dish, fruit or dessert to share. There will be disposable tableware, but we encourage people to bring their own washable plates, cups, and cutlery and take it home to wash.
To make sure we have enough hamburgers, hot dogs, and vegetarian equivalents available please RSVP by September 5.
October Program
Little River Watershed Association by Andrew Gunnoe, Maryville College
When: Tuesday, October 13, 2026, 7:00-8:30 PM
Where: Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church 2931 Kingston Pike, Knoxville TN
November Program
Rooted East Knoxville Collective by Laila Malik, Operations Lead Rooted East Knoxville Collective
When: Tuesday, November 10, 2026, 7:00-8:30 PM
Where: Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church 2931 Kingston Pike, Knoxville TN
Help Us Make Great Programs!
Mac Post, our Program Chair, would like to hear from you if you know of an interesting program idea. Maybe it's someone you know, someone you have heard at another event, or one of our previous speakers that you would like to hear again. Maybe it's just an idea that we should consider.
He will make the necessary contacts and set up the program. Then come and enjoy the program with us.