The University of Tennessee Arboretum Society (UTAS) is excited to announce the opening of a new book on the Arboretum’s Nature Book Trail, Bugs on the Job, by author Nancy Kelly Allen and illustrator Martyna Nejman.
The Nature Book Trail, about half a mile in length, begins near the parking lot by the UT Arboretum Visitors Center, 901 S. Illinois Avenue in Oak Ridge. It is an easy trail for children and adults to hike, with two benches to rest on along the way; however, it is non-accessible for people with disabilities. The 14 beautiful trail signs feature Ian Sect, a roving reporter who interviews 10 different insects to learn about their roles in nature as decomposers, pollinators or colonizers.
This is the first book by Allen and Nejman to be featured on the trail. It is published by The Little Fig in Overland Park, Kansas, a company dedicated to creating fun, high-quality children’s book for young readers that spark discovery and encourage physical activity. It is available for sale through Target, Amazon and bookstores nationwide.
During the months of November and December, the Arboretum’s Little Free Library, located on the back of the kiosk by the Visitors Center, will feature books about insects. Children are encouraged to check out the Little Free Library and also to leave a book for another child to enjoy.
If you have a large quantity of books to donate, either for children or adults, please contact Janet Bigelow at janet_bigelow@tds.net. The adult books will be traded at McKay’s in Knoxville for credit to purchase children’s books.
The Forest Resources AgResearch and Education Center, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2014, is one of 10 outdoor laboratories located throughout the state as part of the UT AgResearch system, a division of the UT Institute of Agriculture. The Institute of Agriculture also provides instruction, research and public service through the UT Herbert College of Agriculture, the UT College of Veterinary Medicine, UT AgResearch and UT Extension offices, with locations in every county in the state.
Melanie Staten is a public relations consultant with her husband, Vince.