Spring Nature Festival coming to Warriors' Path April 17-19

KINGSPORT — You can talk the talk and then walk the walk when it comes to exploring the wonders of nature later this month. And you don't have to travel far to do so if you live in the greater Tri-Cities. Nature lovers soon will have an opportunity to participate in up to 18 programs in three days, led by naturalists from the region April 17-19 at Warriors' Path State Park, 490 Hemlock Road. Warriors' Park Ranger Marty Silver said the 47th annual Spring Nature Festival is one of the park's biggest events of the spring. Although donations are accepted, he said the event is free and open to the public, with he and the other naturalists donating their time and knowledge. "This is a weekend full of outdoor discovery and nature learning, led by some of the best naturalists in our region," Silver said. Judging from past events, Silver said that a few more than 20 people attend each session, sometimes depending on the weather, but sometimes the individual sessions can draw crowds of 30 or a few more. "Some come camping that weekend so they can participate," Silver said, adding that you could do all 18 sessions but might have to leave early from one session in time to arrive at the next to start. "It is almost possible" to get to every session, Silver said. The veteran park ranger said most out-of-town visitors are from the greater Tri-Cities, Southwest Virginia or Northeast Tennessee, although he said some come from other parts of the Southeast or even other parts of the United States. The event started in 1979, which also is the year Silver began working at Warriors' Path. He started the festival then and continues to shepherd it through the decades leading to a 50th anniversary coming in 2029. As for people with limited mobility or in wheelchairs or using walkers, he said most of the seminars are accessible, especially the "talk" ones. As for more accessible seminars, a photography talk at 9 a.m. Saturday and a walk following at 10 a.m. stay on paved paths, he said. However, he advised those with issues walking not attempt a plants seminar at 5:30 p.m. Saturday because it involves hiking some steep areas. Following is a list of programs for the week, borrowed with permission from a park brochure: FRIDAY, APRIL 17 6:30 p.m. 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 p.m. 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 a.m. 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 a.m. 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 a.m. 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 a.m. 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 a.m. 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. Noon 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 p.m. 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 p.m. 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 p.m. 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 p.m. 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 p.m. 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 Mountain 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. 5:30 p.m. 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 p.m. 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 Mountain State Park. Meet at the Marina Parking Lot, and we'll carpool. 9 p.m. 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 a.m. 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. The Chapel is located in the field between the (former) pool parking lot and the main campground. 10:30 a.m. 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. WHAT'S NEXT Looking forward, Silver said the park's award-winning Summer In The Park activities will be starting in about two months at the 950-acre park is located on the shores of the Patrick Henry Reservoir on the Holston River. "From late May through mid-August, you and your family can enjoy guided nature hikes, evening campfire talks, wildlife demonstrations, nature games and crafts, and much more," Silver said. "The schedule is different each week, and is posted on our website about two weeks in advance. And it's all free." Silver said the application process for area schools to apply for visits from him during the 2026-27 school year opened April 1. He works extensively with schools in Kingsport, across Sullivan and Hawkins counties and many in Washington and Greene counties. Unicoi and Carter counties are served by rangers from other parks. He said a recent decision to shift Carter schools to another park prompted a goodbye event at a Carter County school for Silver. He also has done a program for schools in Hancock County. Aside from hiking and camping, the park is home to picnics, boating and fishing. It also offers a walking or running path and rental of an indoor venue for dinners, smaller reunions, both at Duck Island. For questions about park programs or to get information to apply for school visits, Silver can be reached by phone at 423-239-6786 or 423-609-0314 or via email at marty.silver@tn.gov. For more information about the park, go online to its Facebook page.