Chickasaw Bluffs
Memphis Zoo's Tree Biodiversity Survey
Noted author, Richard Louv, coined the term Nature-Deficit Disorder (NDD) in his best-selling book Last Child in the Woods (2008) to describe the disconnect between kids and nature. As cities and urban areas expand, the ability of kids to interact with nature is decreasing. This disconnect will create entire generations that have had no emotional or personal connection with the environment. Without these experiences of connecting with nature at an early age, adults will be less inspired to conserve our planet’s resources, plants, and animals. For many children, their first experience with nature is with a forest, and the first wild animals they see are in a zoo. The Memphis Zoo is uniquely staged to educate children on both these topics.
The Memphis Zoo has proposed an educational nature trail called ‘Chickasaw Bluffs’ that will wind through 15 acres of Overton Park Forest managed by the Memphis Zoological Society. In order to prepare the educational graphics and learning programs for this nature trail, we have initiated a study of the 15 acres for a better understanding of the flora that occupies this unique urban forest. Tens of thousands of inner city school children will be able to enjoy this nature trail each year and learn about the importance of trees and plants in their daily life. Topics will include how forests protect and clean our water, provide habitat for wildlife, produce the oxygen we breathe, help regulate climate change by sequestering carbon, and provide important medicines and food. We will also educate the Memphis community about the history of the forest and its importance to the community. The entire theme of the graphics along the trail will be to connect and establish a sense of appreciation for the forest. Such urban educational nature trails located in a secure safe environment free of crime (such as the Zoo) have been cited by the U.S. Forest Service as one of the most important mechanisms for bridging forests and inner city kids and adults. Click here for a full report of our study.
About Chickasaw Bluffs
There are approximately 175 acres of forest land in Memphis' Overton Park, of which 15 acres are designated for the Memphis Zoo to provide a low-impact forest trail. This trail will provide unparalleled access for all segments of the community to enjoy the natural plant life and animal wildlife that reside in one of Memphis' finest parks.
The concept calls for a simple, raised boardwalk that will guide Zoo guests through the forest. This forest land is located on the Zoo's existing campus footprint. Unlike every other Zoo exhibit, there will be no buildings or animal exhibits constructed in this area. Instead, the Zoo will partner with forestry experts to provide a safe path through the forest while maintaining its delicate ecosystem. Chickasaw Bluffs will feature small signs that educate guests on the forest, and Zoo staff, volunteers and docents will provide classes and other educational opportunities on the trail.
Other successful examples of similar forest trails include those seen at Big Hill Pond near Selmer, TN, the William B. Clark Conservation Area in Rossville, TN, and W.C. Johnson Park in Collierville, TN.
The Memphis Zoo is committed to working with forestry experts to build a low-impact boardwalk through 15 of the 175 acres of the great forest of Overton Park. This boardwalk will not only bring more people into the forest while preserving its native plants and ecosystem, but also educate our community of the forest's history and awe-inspiring beauty.
Similar Exhibits
This is a picture of Big Hill Pond state park near Selmer, Tenn. A similarly-scaled boardwalk is intended for the Chickasaw Bluffs exhibit at the Memphis Zoo.
The William B. Clark Conservation Area in Rossville, TN
Artist Concepts