Ijams Nature Center [Paperback]

Ijams Nature Center, on the banks of the Tennessee River, evolved from humble beginnings during the early 20th century into a natural showplace known as the Island Home Bird Sanctuary. Developed by Harry Ijams, Knoxville???s leading ornithologist, and Alice Yoe Ijams, ???First Lady of Knoxville Garden Clubs,??? the Ijams property has been a gathering point for birders and nature-lovers for more than a century. Girl Scouting has been a fixture at Ijams since 1923, followed by Camp Mary Ijams, and Camp Margaret Townsend in the Smokies was created in part through Ijams and Townsend family ties. Harry Ijams also helped establish the first official campsite on Mount LeConte and used his artistry as a commercial illustrator to promote the Smoky Mountains as a national park. Over the years, Ijams Nature Center has grown in size and stature to become the region???s leading wildlife sanctuary and environmental learning center incorporating Mead???s Quarry, which in its heyday produced Tennessee marble used both in local buildings and national monuments.Title: Ijams book captures family, center history

Author: Amy McRary

Publisher: Knox News

Date: 5/16/10



Ijams Nature Center celebrates its beginnings, its growth and the family who gave the nonprofit its name and its start in a new book.



Center Executive Director Paul James has researched and written the book entitled simply Ijams Nature Center. The 127-page volume is filled with photographs from the Ijams family as well as from the center's past and present. It's also filled with readable details and historical tidbits that point to a devoted love for research by James.



H.P. and Alice Ijams bought 20 acres of South Knoxville land in 1910 and turned it into a garden showplace and bird sanctuary. After their deaths, Ijams became a public park. This fall, the center will grow to 275 acres.



Visitors who enjoy the center's walks, educational programls6