What’s Happening at Land Between Lakes in October

Wolf Week: A Howlin’ Good Fall Break at the Woodlands Nature Station

October 1 – 7 | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Event schedule

Fall break is all about wolves at Nature Station! Come visit our resident endangered red wolves and join their “pack” of wolf admirers. Attend special wolf programs offered each day, join the red wolves for feeding time, become a werewolf, and more! Discover why these cunning canines have inspired awe in people for generations.

Woolly Bear Weekend at the Woodlands Nature Station

October 8 & 9 | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Event schedule

Bring the family to Nature Station during the holiday weekend for a kid-friendly weekend packed with cool activities! The woolly bear worm has been a common symbol and traditional sign of autumn and the changing season. Let’s use it as our mascot to celebrate other fall traditions!

Apple Fest at the Homeplace 1850s Working Farm

October 15 & 16 | 10 a.m. –  3 p.m. | Event flyer

Autumn has arrived at the Homeplace and we are celebrating with apples! Come out and try some freshly pressed apple cider and help us make apple butter. We will be carving apples to take home and more. Even if you’re a doctor, don’t let these apples keep you away- bring the whole family!

A Hogwarts Howl-O-Ween at the Woodlands Nature Station

October 22 | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Event flyer

Young wizards and witches, welcome to your first year at Hogwarts! You’ll walk with professors and prefects, search for Aldo the baby Bigfoot, discover both real and magical creatures, and avoid the perils of an enchanted trail as a first-year student in this Harry Potter-themed, non-scary Halloween program. Costumes encouraged, feel free to wear your favorite house colors! For the safety of our familiars and yours, please leave pets at home.

Laser Light Shows at the Golden Pond Planetarium

Saturdays in October | See schedule for show times

The Golden Pond Planetarium is hosting spectacular Laser Light Shows on Saturday nights in October! These light shows turn your favorite music into an incredible laser display. Bring some friends or your family for a fun night out at the Planetarium!

Make Treasured Memories at Brandon Spring Group Center

Looking for a place to host an unforgettable retreat, workshop, reunion, training, conference, or field trip? Whether your group is school, civic, church, or business-related, we can provide the ideal environment for all of your overnight gatherings. Groups who want to experience nature in a fun and safe environment, while still enjoying all the amenities of home, love staying at Brandon Spring Group Center.

This education and recreation complex serves the area as a year-round overnight facility for groups of all ages. Nestled on a wooded knoll, it overlooks scenic Bards Lake and Lake Barkley in the Tennessee portion of Land Between the Lakes. Plan your stay today!

Lend a Hand & Care for the Land:

Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities

Cedar Pond Picnic Area Restoration

Saturday, October 8 | 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Help us complete the transformation of this beautiful picnic area at Land Between the Lakes. Walk up volunteers are welcome. Volunteers under age 18 are also welcome with an adult participant. Please bring a water bottle, closed-toed shoes, and appropriate clothing. All tools, supplies, and lunch will be provided! For more info: volunteer@friendsoflbl.org

Keep the Tennessee River Beautiful Clean-Up

Saturday, October 22 | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Keep the Tennessee River Watershed Beautiful Month will wrap up at a cleanup on Kentucky Lake of the Tennessee River in Marshall County, KY. Living Lands & Waters will be boosting the cleanup efforts by bringing their five 30-foot boats to take volunteers to clean shorelines. Get all the details and register on their website.

Be Fire Safe this Fall

October is fall wildfire season for both Kentucky and Tennessee. Help us make it a safe season by following these 5 tips from our friend Smokey Bear!

Did You Know? Public land managers use the National Fire Danger Rating System (NFDRS) to input data and receive information used to determine fire danger in their area. The NFDRS is what we use for the fire danger rating on our Alerts page and on the Smokey Bear signs that you see when you enter Land Between the Lakes.

HistoriCorps Heroes at the Homeplace

Thank you to the hardworking HistoriCorps volunteers who are restoring the roof of the Double Pen House at the Homeplace 1850s Working Farm! You can see the restoration work in action for the last two volunteer sessions if you stop by the Homeplace during October 3-7 and 10-14.

Learn more about the project and HistoriCorps volunteer opportunities.

Nature Station News: Meet Dohi

Meet Woodlands Nature Station’s newest resident, Didatinidohi (ᏗᏓᏘᏂᏙᎯ in the Cherokee alphabet), or Dohi for short! Dohi is an adult male bald eagle originally from the eastern side of West Virginia. He joins us after spending a few months at the Avian Conservation Center after he was found with an injured wing, likely the result of a gunshot wound. Dohi will keep Taha company and provide great companionship!

Didatinidohi is a Cherokee word meaning leader or captain. A big thank you to Mr. John Ross of the Cherokee Language Department, Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, Mr. Troy Poteete, Executive Director of the Trail of Tears Association and Ms. Carla Hildebrand, Park Manager at Wickliffe Mounds State Historic Site for their assistance with appropriate and respectful name selection and translation for the newest Woodlands Nature Station eagle. We are so grateful for their participation and partnership!

To stay updated on Dohi and the Nature Station’s other animal ambassadors, follow their Facebook page.

Billie the baby opossum is settling into her new home at the Woodlands Nature Station after arriving earlier this summer. This adorable marsupial is growing quickly and loves munching on blueberries, sardines, and broccoli.

While she is off display for now as she continues to grow, she recently made her first birthday party debut and was the star of the show! She will be visible to the public by Spring 2023.

To stay updated on Billie and the Nature Station’s other animal ambassadors, follow their Facebook page.

Calling All Fourth Graders

Hey fourth graders! Did you know that you can see America’s natural wonders and historic sites for FREE? With the Every Kid Outdoors program, you and your family get free access to hundreds of parks, lands, and waters for an entire year. Getting your pass is fun, free, and easy!

At Land Between the Lakes, the Every Kid Outdoors  passes allow for free entry to the Woodlands Nature Station, the Homeplace 1850s Working Farm, and the Golden Pond Planetarium for the fourth grade student and up to 3 additional individuals. Please note that the pass is not applicable for free admission during special events.

Students, educators, and parents can get more information on the Every Kid Outdoors webpage.

Mark Your Calendars for November:

Cub Scout Day at the Woodlands Nature Station

November 19 | 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Attention all Cub Scouts and Cub Scout leaders! Bring the gang, or just your own kids, to the Nature Station for a full day of activities and programs focused on this year’s theme: Plants and Animals! Join your troops, packs, and dens as you learn all about our local wildlife here at Land Between the Lakes while working on your belt loops!

Cub Scouts of all ages can participate in staff-led programs and activities that help them work toward a Belt Loop from their respective levels. We recommend planning at least a 2 hour visit to complete all activities.

About the Friends of Land Between the Lakes

The Friends of Land Between the Lakes have partnered with the USDA Forest Service at Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area to provide interpretive, informative, and support services. More information is available at www.friendsoflbl.org. The Friends are supported through business and personal memberships, gift shop sales, and other contributions.

To find more information about Land Between the Lakes, visit the official website at www.landbetweenthelakes.us or call 800-525-7077 or 270-924-2000.