WHO WE ARE
We are a group of students from the University of Tennessee working to raise money for Ijams Nature Center as part of its new Weed Warriors campaign. As the city of Knoxville grows, it is vital to understand and promote the importance of nature preservation. The Weed Warriors campaign does just that by gathering a team of volunteers to eradicate invasive species that are harmful to native flora and fauna.
WHO IS IJAMS
Founded in 1910, Ijams Nature Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that operates an extensive green space located a short drive from downtown Knoxville. Their goal is to educate and promote the conservation of nature through events and experiences within the park. The 315 acres that embody Ijams consist of multiple nature trails, boardwalks, and education facilities.
WHAT WE NEED
Through our fundraising, we hope to eliminate the invasive plant species that are encroaching on Ijams. We plan to purchase a single brushcutter made by Stihl. The brushcutter will be a vital piece of equipment. It will allow volunteers of Weed Warriors to eliminate invasive plants quicker, smoother, and less intensively than previous methods. We have set a goal of $1,500 to help Ijams develop a better environment.
PERKS FOR DONATIONS
In addition to helping the Knoxville community, we are providing our donors with the opportunity to accept perks. Every donor will be given the options to have a free shout out on our Facebook page, but specific donor perks are as follows:
$10- Ijams sticker
$35- 1 of 10 green hand-knitted hats
$75- custom t-shirts with the Ijams Nature Center logo incorporated and printed on them
$250- have our team complete five volunteer hours at your charity of choice
$500- a personalized thank you video from our team
All donors who accept perks will have the option of collecting their perks from Ijams Nature Center or shipped to their address.
IMPACT ON KNOXVILLE COMMUNITY
The Ijams Nature Center is an important and valuable part of the greater Knoxville community. Ijams offers a fun, family-friendly green space that can be accessed by anyone free of charge. Ijams uses the donations it receives to keep the park clean and to support its larger nature preservation goals throughout the local area. The Weed Warriors campaign is one of its many ambitious projects meant to sustain the natural environment and conserve the beauty of Knoxville.
HOW ELSE TO HELP
For donors who are not able to give monetary contributions at this time, Ijams offers a multitude of volunteer opportunities for those who are interested in donating their personal help. Those who wish to donate an item instead of money are highly encouraged to donate pieces of equipment needed by Ijams. The best way to get involved is to share information about Ijams to friends, family, and social media. We encourage you to come out and enjoy Ijams’ resources.