Overton Park

05/12/2026

If you've been meaning to make it to a Songbird Stroll but haven't gotten the chance, Memphis Public Libraries has you covered! This month's episode of Nature of Conservation follows our own Fields Falcone as she hones in on the first songs of the spring.

Fields Falcone from the Overton Park Conservancy took us on a Bird ...

05/11/2026

Maintenance alert: City plumbers are partially draining Rainbow Lake this week in order to repair broken pumps. This work will help water flow more freely, reducing algae build-up and improving water quality for the fish and turtles that live in the lake. Thanks for your patience while the water levels are a little low!

05/08/2026

Because the kids need to touch grass too... 🌱 We've got brand-new youth sizes in the Overton Park shop! You'll find our classic Overton Park logo tee, the new Beast of Rainbow Lake line, and Touch Grass tees in both adult and youth sizes. We've also got a sweet new cap and boxy crop tee featuring park icons designed by our friends at Pretty Useful Co. Check them all out at https://www.overtonpark.org/shop!

05/07/2026

Songbird Stroll tomorrow! Join Fields Falcone at 8:00 AM at East Parkway Pavilion to search for the magical migratory birds that are headed north and using the Old Forest to refuel. Bring your own binoculars or borrow some from us. Beginners are welcome. Come learn about why "warbler neck" is a common affliction of birders this time every year!

05/06/2026

Bumble bees--which are some of the best pollinators of flowers, fruits, and vegetables--are in decline all across the United States. In order to help them bounce back, we have to know what habitats are important so we can direct our conservation efforts in meaningful ways. That's where the Southeast Bumble Bee Atlas comes in! SEBBA relies on people like you to help monitor bumble bees through field survey work and data recording, and they'll be here in Memphis on Saturday, May 16 for a workshop at Overton Park. You'll learn how to identify bumble bees, how to safely capture them, take their photos, release them, and submit your data to researchers. Join Overton Park Conservancy and the Xerces Society for this special opportunity by registering at https://secure.qgiv.com/for/opceventform/event/bba/.

05/05/2026

Thanks to Reimagining the Civic Commons for highlighting the Old Forest's value as a learning lab for students and a place where volunteers can invest in a climate-resilient future!

How 5 American cities are supercharging environmental stewardship in their civic spaces

05/03/2026

It's Sunday night, and that means it's time to lock down your plans for NEXT weekend. Join Overton Park Conservancy and Old Dominick at the golf clubhouse in Overton Park for a special cocktail-making class featuring the new Squirrel Tale whiskey. While you sip, you'll hear from the Conservancy’s Dr. Eric Bridges, who will share the vital role of oak trees in old forest ecosystems and their essential influence on the character and craft of whiskey. He’ll be joined by Chris Canale, President of Old Dominick Distillery, who together with his cousin Alex Canale revived the historic Memphis distillery founded by their great-great grandfather. Get your tickets now at https://secure.qgiv.com/for/opceventform/event/odcocktailclass/.

05/01/2026

From trees to bees to a tasty freeze, there’s all kinds of exciting events coming up at Overton Park. See the full picture at https://www.overtonpark.org/calendar.

🗓️ Tues 5/5, 5:30 PM – Science Café
Just a few tickets remain for this month’s talk with Dr. Lori Neuman-Lee of Arkansas State University. She’ll share the secrets of reptile research, including the age-old question: how do you take a turtle’s temperature? Register at https://secure.qgiv.com/for/opceventform/event/sciencecafe/.

🗓️ Thurs 5/7, 11:00 AM – 65+ Nature Journaling
Seniors are welcome at these free sessions in partnership with Creative Aging that help you observe and record the natural world. Register at https://overtonpark.org/event/senior-nature-journaling-3/.

🗓️ Fri 5/8 and Sat 5/16, 8:00 AM – Songbird Strolls
Every day brings something new during spring migration. Meet us at East Parkway Pavilion for a free, beginner-friendly bird walk in the woods.

🗓️ Sat 5/9, 6:00 PM – Overton Park x Old Dominick Cocktail Class
Learn to make craft cocktails with Old Dominick’s Squirrel Tale whiskey, an exclusive blend celebrating Overton Park. While you mix and sip, you’ll hear from Overton Park Conservancy’s Dr. Eric Bridges and Old Dominick’s Chris Canale, who share a passion for oak conservation and the impact these trees have on creating quality spirits. Get tickets at https://secure.qgiv.com/for/opceventform/event/odcocktailclass/.

🗓️ Tues 5/12, 9:00 AM – Compounding Confusion: Advanced Tree ID Class
Through indoor instruction with Dr. Eric Bridges and outdoor field exploration, you'll practice identifying compound leaf trees such as ashes, hickories, and other common species that occur in West Tennessee's woodlands. This course is designed for participants who have completed a previous Tree ID class with us or who have familiarity with basic tree identification using botanical terms and dichotomous keys. Register at https://secure.qgiv.com/for/opceventform/event/treeid/.

🗓️ Sat 5/16, 9:30 AM – Bumble Bee Atlas Community Science Workshop
We’re teaming up with the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation to help you get to know our local bumble bees—and to contribute critical data about their habitats that will help protect these vulnerable pollinators. You’ll learn to identify, catch, and photograph bumble bees to contribute data useful to researchers. Register at https://secure.qgiv.com/for/opceventform/event/bba/.

🗓️ Mon 5/18, 12:15 PM – Field Notes
Catch up on the latest park news and see what’s on view in the Old Forest in this lunchtime walk series with our Stewardship Manager, Fields Falcone. Meet at the information kiosk in the Rainbow Lake parking lot.

🗓️ Thurs 5/21, 4:00 PM – Third Thursday Trek
Join our Programs Manager Dr. Malle Carrasco-Harris for a deep dive into a new ecological topic every month. Registration opens Thursday, May 14 at https://www.overtonpark.org/trek.

🗓️ Sat 6/7, 2:00 PM – Memphis Ice Cream Festival
The sweetest Sunday in Memphis is back, this time on the Overton Park Greensward! Sample unlimited ice cream samples and enjoy water slides, face painting, music, food trucks, and more as we celebrate our local ice cream makers and the 125th birthday of Overton Park! Get tickets at https://www.simpletix.com/e/memphis-ice-cream-festival-tickets-270549.

04/29/2026

We are shocked, SHOCKED to report that the Beast of Rainbow Lake returned to the park this week...and that like any good aquatic mystery creature, this time it has merch! That's right, the Beast has been working with the team at Pretty Useful Co. to market itself...and the only place to get your shirt is at Overton Park Conservancy's online store. Adult and youth sizes are available now at https://www.overtonpark.org/shop! Support your local cryptid and get yours today.

04/24/2026

Slow down next Saturday, May 2 with a gentle Mindfulness Walk presented by Overton Park Conservancy and led by Coach Alex Carpenter. This calming forest walk invites you to pause from daily life and reconnect with the natural world around you. Registration is open now at https://secure.qgiv.com/for/opceventform/event/maymindfulnesswalk/.

04/23/2026

The Beast is Back! That's right, we've found more archival footage of this mysterious visitor to Rainbow Lake. Something tells us we may be due for a present-day sighting anytime now...