Warriors Path State Park

Description: 47th Annual Spring Nature Festival

Location: Warriors Path State Park

Come enjoy a weekend full of outdoor discovery, with "mini-seminars" and guided hikes on a wide range of nature discovery topics, led by expert naturalists from across our region.

Note that registration is NOT required - just offered in case you'd like to donate to help support this event and other park nature discovery events.

FRIDAY, APRIL 17

6:30 PM ANIMAL TRACKING AND SIGNS - Our fellow creatures leave a variety of living stories. Learn to read tracks and other signs of wildlife activity. Join Ranger Marty Silver at the Marina. 

8:00 PM NIGHT HABITATS WALK - Rangers Marty Silver and Brian Glover of Warriors’ Path will guide us on a night discovery walk. Meet at the Marina Parking Lot and we’ll carpool 

SATURDAY, APRIL 18

7:30 AM BIRDING 101 - Enjoy an introduction to the art of birdwatching. Bill Grigsby and other members of Birding Kingsport will share their deep understanding of spring birds. Meet at the Marina 

8:00 AM BIRD WALK - Bill Grigsby and other members of Birding Kingsport will help us understand and identify spring birds and bird behavior. Meet at the Marina Porch. 

9:00 AM NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY TALK - Richard Siggins and Jeff Sturgill, expert nature photographers, will give us tips for better photography outdoors. This lecture will be held at the Marina. 

10:00 AM PHOTOGRAPHY WALK - Try the skills you learned at the photo seminar, or just enjoy the spring scenery. Richard Siggins will be our guide on this ridgeline hike. Meet at the Marina Parking Lot, and we’ll carpool. 

11:00 AM PLANTS & POLLINATORS TALK - Don Holt Naturalist from Steele Creek Park and Ranger Marty Silver will acquaint us with spring plants and the butterflies and other creatures that pollinate them. Meet at the Marina. 

12:00 PM PLANTS & POLLINATORS WALK - Our guides, Marty Silver and Don Holt, will bring us to a bright display of spring wildflowers and their amazing insect pollinators. Meet at the Marina Parking Lot, and we’ll carpool.

1:00 PM STREAM ECOLOGY SEMINAR - Expert stream ecologists Gary Barrigar and Cathy Landy will help us discover the incredible life of flowing waters. This lecture will be held at the Marina.

1:30 PM CREEK WALK - Walk through the clear cool waters of Fall Creek, to experience a living community. Wear old clothes and sneakers, and meet Cathy Landy and Gary Barrigar at the Marina Parking Lot. We’ll carpool to the creek.

2:30 PM BIOGEOGRAPHY SEMINAR - Jeremy Stout of Steele Creek Park will offer special insights into the importance of those rocks beneath the spring landscape. This lecture will be held at the Marina.

3:30 PM BIOGEOGRAPHY WALK - Take a walk along a stony river bank, and learn the dynamic stories of a changing land. Start our hike with Jeremy Stout at the Marina Parking Lot. 

4:30 PM “BUILDING BACKYARD HABITATS” - The natural places of the Warriors’ Path hold a legacy of humans and nature interacting in amazing ways. Join Cade Campbell of Blue Ridge Discovery Center and Ranger Marco Rodriguez of Roan Mt State Park on a saunter through some unique examples of local ecosystems. Learn to enhance your backyard with native plants and conservation projects to support local wildlife. Meet at the Marina for a brief talk, then a walk. Meet at the Marina.

5:30 PM PLANTS OF THE DOLOMITE CLIFFS -  Come learn the spring trees and plants of this unique habitat. Enjoy a botanical expedition through the world of springtime green life. Guest leader is Dr. Frosty Levy, ETSU Botanist. Meet at the Marina Parking Lot. and we’ll carpool.

7:00 PM SUNSET WALK - There’s no better place to observe the land than in these old fields and forested ridges. Come watch the evening darken the spring landscape in one of the richest wildlife habitats in the park. Hike leaders will be Ranger Phil Hylen and Ranger Marco Rodriguez of Roan Mt State Park. Meet at the Marina Parking Lot, and we’ll carpool. 

9:00 PM SPRING NIGHT SKIES - Gather beneath the dark sky and learn the lore of the spring stars. Jason Dorfman of Bays Mountain Park will share his knowledge and his astronomical tools. Meet at the (former) Pool Parking Lot. (in case of rain or thick clouds, meet at the (former) Pool Building Porch.)

SUNDAY, APRIL 19

9:30 AM WORSHIP SERVICE - Share uplifting music and an inspiring message with Eric Fields and the Worship Team from Grace Bible Church. Meet at the Open Air Chapel, or at the (former) Pool Building Porch if it’s raining. (Note - the Chapel is located in the field between the (former) pool parking lot and the main campground.)

10:30 AM SPRING LANDSCAPES WALK - Reflect on the land’s rich gifts as we hike the high places. Enjoy Sunday morning in the woods with Ranger Marty Silver. Meet at the (former) Pool Parking Lot, and we’ll carpool.