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July isn't for the faint of heart. Even for outdoorsy folks, this is a month when many prefer to stay near water or in the shade. But not all living organisms have the option of cooling off with some shaved ice. A 98-degree day with the sun bearing down? Brutal conditions, most would say. For some, however, it's paradise. In fact, it is ideal conditions for my favorite wildflower of them all. A happy Limestone Fameflower blooming on a toasty July day. - Photo by Jason Allen L

It's time to visit Frog Town! That's one of my first thoughts every year when June arrives. I'm fortunate to live near several frog hot spots, but one in particular I have named Frog Town due its abundance and variety of frogs. Once I heard eight different species calling while standing in the middle of Frog Town. Do you have a favorite frog spot? If you live near a lake, pond, creek, or other wetland area, you're likely hearing frogs this time of year - especially after rain

If time machines existed, I would want to go back in time and go for a hike with Elsie Quarterman. That’s my first thought every time I see this wonderful photo (circa 1948) of Elsie exploring the Middle Tennessee cedar glades. Where was she exactly when this photo was taken? Where was she going? What was she looking for? What did she find? Inquiring minds want to know. Elsie Quarterman in the Middle Tennessee cedar glades (1948). What I do know is that I would not be writing

I have a hunch that April is the favorite month of the year for many nature lovers. Wildflowers blooming, birds migrating, frogs calling, trees leafing out, butterflies fluttering about, nature festivals everywhere... there is certainly a lot happening. I love all of that and more, but the thing I look forward to most in April? Goatsuckers. They are coming. Soon. You've been warned. No, this is not an April Fool's gag. What, you ask? You say you've never heard of a goatsucker

Happy March, everyone! Maybe it's just me but January seemed to last for several months, and February felt like it lasted a week! But I'm okay with that because March is one of my favorite months. Warmer temperatures, longer days, flowers blooming, trees budding out, birds singing happy songs... I also love baseball and March Madness, but that's another story! What comes to mind when you think of March?

Happy February, all! Jason here, one half of the NEST team. (The better half, of course, being my wife Leslie Anne.) Whew... are you glad to see January gone? The ice storm proved difficult for many Tennesseans, and we hope you made it through without too many hardships. For good or bad, it will certainly be one to remember. It was quite jarring to gaze out our window and see an ice-covered world. It looked more like something we would see in a movie. Beautiful? Perhaps, but

Thank you for visiting the NEST website! We plan to use the blog section for posting our monthly newsletter. Each newsletter will include upcoming programs, hikes and classes, as well as other local happenings that we think might interest you. We love to spread the word about other wonderful Tennessee nature programs that our friends are presenting. We'll also pass along any cool nature findings we've uncovered over the past month. If you wish to join our NEST Club and recei