Park Explorer Program

The Park Explorers Program helps children discover the wonder, peace and fun of nature. Friends of Shelby brings students to the park on field trips and brings the park to students through in-school visits. All our activities combine important environmental science concepts with state teaching standards and STEM skills.

In the spring of 2022, Friends of Shelby, along with our community partners Cumberland River Compact, Metro Water Services, and the Shelby Bottoms Nature Center, visited second-grade classes at Inglewood Elementary for the first time to bring educational park programming into the classroom. Since then, the program has grown. We visit the 2nd grade classes at our partner schools six times over the course of a school year: four classroom visits and two field trips. Students explore the creatures and features of Shelby Park and Bottoms, from birds and butterflies to stormwater runoff and erosion. Through fun, interactive activities, Park Explorers leans into students’ natural curiosity to help them deepen their connection to the natural world.

Watch this video for more about the program

We strive not only to provide excellent environmental education, but to foster a connection between students and Shelby, so they feel welcome in the Park and Bottoms. Parks provide enormous benefits to mental, physical and emotional health. We want everyone in Nashville to know that Shelby Park and Bottoms is their place. We hope that, through this program, we spark a passion for time outdoors in the young people we are so lucky to work with and that they share this passion with their family and friends.

In 2023 we expanded the program to Warner Elementary and in 2024 added Explore! Community School, continuing our mission to connect the diverse communities of East Nashville with Shelby Park and Bottoms.    

The Park Explorer Program is supporter by