Ijams Nature Center, on the banks of the Tennessee River, evolved from humble beginnings during the early 20th century into a natural showplace known as the Island Home Bird Sanctuary. Developed by Harry Ijams, Knoxville's leading ornithologist, and Alice Yoe Ijams, "First Lady of Knoxville Garden Clubs," the Ijams property has been a gathering point for birders and nature-lovers for more than a century. Girl Scouting has been a fixture at Ijams since 1923, followed by Camp Mary Ijams, and Camp Margaret Townsend in the Smokies was created in part through Ijams and Townsend family ties. Harry Ijams also helped establish the first official campsite on Mount LeConte and used his artistry as a commercial illustrator to promote the Smoky Mountains as a national park. Over the years, Ijams Nature Center has grown in size and stature to become the region's leading wildlife sanctuary and environmental learning center incorporating Mead's Quarry, which in its heyday produced Tennessee marble used both in local buildings and national monuments. Title: An outdoor treasure Author: Staff Writer Publisher: Everything Knoxville Date: April 2010 Located five minutes from downtown Knoxville, Ijams Nature Center is a 175-acre wildlife sanctuary and environmental learning center for all people. Ijams provides community-wide connections and outdoor experiences through education, conservation, recreation and responsible environmental stewardship. This year, Ijams celebrates the 100th anniversary of the Ijams Family legacy, which began 100 years ago when H.P. and Alice Ijams purchased 20 acres of land on the outskirts of Knoxville in 1910. Over the years, the Ijams family developed the land into a natural showplace known as the Bird Sanctuary, which attracted birders and nature lovers everywhere. H.P. Ijams, a talented commercial artist and bird fanatic, spearheaded Knoxville's first ornithologist movement and hosted annual bird counts at the Ijams Bird Sanctuary for decades. H.P. Ijams' wife, Alice, ran a commercial horticultural business. Her passion for education and conservation inspired the formation of numerous local garden clubs. Alice was also involved with the Knoxville Girl Scout Council, who has been coming to the Ijams place since 1923. The four Ijams daughters, all talented naturalists, were the first Girl Scouts to be educated at the Ijams Bird Sanctuary. The story of the Ijams family will be told in a new history book, Ijams Nature Center, written by Ijams' Executive Director, Paul James. The book will be released on May 17 by Arcadia Publishing as part of its popular Images of America series and will feature 185 vintage photographs, drawings and maps from the Ijams family archives and other local sources. Coinciding with the book is the opening of a new permanent exhibit on the Ijams family at Ijams Nature Center. The exhibit will be open in time for a special Founder's Day event for the public on Saturday, May 22nd from 10:00 am-2:00 pm. Visit www.ijams.org for further details. In 2001, Ijams acquired Mead's Quarry, a historic site that once produced Tennessee Marble used in local and national buildings and monuments, and is also featured in the new book. The National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. is at least one famous building that features Tennessee marble extracted from numerous East Tennessee quarries such as Mead's. Although for many years Mead's Quarry existed as an abandoned dumpsite, now once restored, the property, with its clear-blue 25-acre lake, scenic vistas and looped trails, has become a visitor favorite and a genuine jewel in the crown of Knox County Parks. The success of Mead's Quarry has facilitated further land expansion at Ijams with the addition of the Ross Marble Quarry, which Ijams is slated to open in November. The new 100-acre property features unparalleled scenic views, including natural rock formations and abandoned blocks of Tennessee Marble form rock bridges and keyholes that punctuate the landscape. An unforgettable experience, the Ross Marble Quarry echoes the rugged terrain of the Big South, and adds yet another dimension to Ijams' natural areas. For outdoor lovers seeking a more close-to home destination, Ijams Nature Center offers a genuine alternative to driving to the Smoky Mountains. With new exhibits and plenty of nature programs for all ages, Ijams really is much more than one of Knoxville's best kept secrets. Ijams is a historical, cultural and natural treasure. Title: Birdlife: H.P. Ijams's bird boxes attracted warblers Author: Marcia Davis Publisher: Knox News Date: 5/30/2010 Two vintage photographs in the new book "Ijams Nature Center" (Arcadia Publishing) by Ijams Executive Director Paul James, picture vertical tubular nest boxes for birds. Mounted on poles and installed over or near water, the boxes attracted prothonotary warblers - Tennessee's only cavity-nesting warblers. They were two of more than 100 nest boxes built and installed