Where nature comes to life.
Tucked away in the heart of metropolitan Memphis, Lichterman Nature Center brings nature to life with exciting exhibits, native wildflowers and trees, and a tradition of excellence in environmental education set in the midst of 65 acres of lake, meadow, and forest. Home to a wide variety of plants, birds, reptiles, amphibians and mammals, Lichterman is an urban wildlife oasis. Lichterman features nearly three miles of hiking trails, the Davidson Pavilion, Visitor Center with exhibits, a Backyard Wildlife Center teaming with snakes, turtles and other creatures. The Center also is home to a greenhouse/nursery where plants are grown for an annual plant sale in spring.
Adult $12
Senior $10
Youth (ages 3-12) $8
Under 2 free
Snakes & Spiders with Dr. Steve Reichling – June 17
Meet a snake and spider and then stick around to hear Dr. Steve Reichling speak about his work. Steve Reichling is Director of Conservation & Research at the Memphis Zoo. He is heavily involved in the captive management of reptiles and amphibians and their conservation in the wild, and has carried out field studies in Saint Lucia, Dominica, Sint Eustatius, Belize, and Guatemala. He leads the zoo component of the recovery program for the critically endangered dusky gopher frog. He has been studying the extremely rare Louisiana pinesnake since 1984, publishing research that elevated it from subspecies to species, and leading the zoo-based recovery effort. His herpetological interests center on species endemic to the longleaf pine ecosystems of the southeastern United States, resulting in his book “Reptiles and Amphibians of the Southern Pine Woods”. In addition to herpetology, he is intensely interested in tarantulas, has produced a book on the subject, “Tarantulas of Belize”, and has discovered and described four new species and one new genus from Central America. A genus of primitive spiders, Reichlingia, is named in his honor.
FREE WITH GENERAL ADMISSION
Things that Glow Bright in the Night – July 15
Come discover the hidden secrets of animals that black lights can reveal! Join the MoSH curator of natural science to learn about the science behind some surprising critters that glow and what importance this has in their environment and behavior. Plus, you will get to meet a live animal up close and see if they glow under black lights!
FREE WITH GENERAL ADMISSION
Nursery Plant Sales – Get your plants here!
Now thru November 17
Volunteers grow plants for our community using environmentally sustainable horticulture practices. Their focus is on native and wildlife friendly plants including important butterfly larval host plants and colorful pollinator favorites, as well as plants with stories to tell.
A special selection of Curator’s Choice plants will often be available at the Visitor Center. A wider selection of plants will be sold from the terraces behind the Greenhouse Wednesday through Saturday mornings.
Visits to the plant nursery are also great times to drop off empty pots for the Nature Center to recycle.
- Tuesday hours: 9 am until noon no reservations needed
- Wednesday – Saturday: 9 am until 10:30 am no reservations needed; Personal shopping appointments available 10:30 am until 12:30 pm.
- Email [email protected] for plant information and to set appointment times.
An Urban Wildlife Oasis
Explore more than three miles of hiking trails through pristine wilderness teaming with wildlife from herons, hawks and geese to raccoons, red-eared sliders and more.
A closer look at nature, ecology and preservation
Tour the Backyard Wildlife Center with one of our naturalists and get the low down on the animals, insects and plants that call the Mid-South home.
A Natural Experience
Step into the Visitor Center for a walk on the wild side. Explore dioramas, interactive exhibits and take in some of the wildest views in Memphis.
Meet Some Wild Locals
When you come to the Lictherman Nature Center, you never know who you’ll meet. Keep your eyes and ears open. There’s always something wild to see and hear.
Enjoy a wild lunch – Live animal encounters daily at noon presented by wildlife experts.
Wednesday – Raptor presentation
Thursday –Turtle feeding
Friday – Snake feeding
Saturday – Curator’s choice
Found an injured/orphaned animal?
Lichterman Nature Center does not maintain state or federal rehabilitation permits. As a result, the Nature Center cannot accept any live or injured animals.
Tennessee state law prohibits individuals from keeping or caring for wild animals without a permit. This is done for the wellbeing of the animal and you. The best thing for orphaned wildlife is to reunite them with their parents.
For a list of licensed wildlife rehabilitators visit:
Tennessee residents: Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Wildlife Rehabilitators and Educators (tn.gov)
Mississippi residents: Mississippi Wildlife Rehabilitation, Inc.
http://www.mswildliferehab.com/
Arkansas residents: Arkansas Game and Fish Commission list of rehabilitators:
https://www.agfc.com/en/wildlife-management/wildlife-rehabilitation/
Lichterman Nature Center
5992 Quince Road
Memphis, TN 38119
901.636.2211
New Hours & Days of Operation
Wed. – Sun. 10:30am – 5:00 pm
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