Discover Life in America

Science at Sugarlands: Appalachian Balds
2019-08-16 13:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | Sugarlands Visitor Center, 107 Sugarlands Visitor Center Loop Rd, Gatlinburg, TN, 37738, United States
Appalachian Balds: ecological enigma & conservation dilemma
Jesse Webster, Forester, Great Smoky Mountains NP
For more information about this free event and to register, please visit our main Science at Suglarlands page.

Science at Sugarlands: Plant-soil interactions & Chimney Tops fire
2019-09-20 13:00 - 15:00 | Sugarlands Visitor Center, 107 Sugarlands Visitor Center Loop Rd, Gatlinburg, TN, 37738, United States
Burning questions: why are plant-soil microbiome interactions important & how does the Chimney Tops fire affect this ecological internet?
Kendall Beals, PhD Student, University of Tennessee
For more information about this free event and to register, please visit our main Science at Suglarlands page.

Science at Sugarlands: Lichens
2019-10-18 13:00 - 15:00 | Sugarlands Visitor Center, 107 Sugarlands Visitor Center Loop Rd, Gatlinburg, TN, 37738, United States
Lichens of the Smokies revealed
James Lendemer, Assistant Curator, New York Botanical Garden
For more information about this free event and to register, please visit our main Science at Suglarlands page.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park Science Colloquium
2020-03-12 09:00 - 16:00 | The Park Vista, 705 Cherokee Orchard Rd, Gatlinburg, TN, 37738, United States
Learn about research taking place in the Smokies from the scientists working there at the annual Park Science Colloquium. This event is free and it’s an excellent opportunity to learn about the biodiversity of the Smokies and chat with regional scientists about our local national park.

Event details

General information: The Park Science Colloquium comprises over a dozen talks by scientists about work being conducted in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the surrounding region.

Timing: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM on Thursday, March 12, 2020

Location: The Park Vista Hotel in Gatlinburg, TN (map)

Food and drink: Coffee will be provided and there will be a one-hour lunch break. The Park Vista has a restaurant and there are lots of food choices closeby in Gatlinburg.

Schedule and abstracts:

Click for full program with abstracts (PDF)

2020 schedule and abstracts (PDF)

Registration: This is a free event and open to the public, but we kindly as that you register so that we can accommodate attendees.

Register Now (FREE)

Information for presenters

Submit a talk or poster

Call for submissions: We welcome you to submit a presentation or poster about your research that is either actively taking place in Great Smoky Mountains National Park or that is of significance to the Smokies, and that is at a stage in analysis where a full picture of the research can be presented. Note: due to time constraints, we may not be able to fit all submitted talks.

Submitting a presentation or poster: To submit your work for consideration in the Colloquium, please email your title and author information to Will (will@dlia.org) and Paul (paul_super@nps.gov) by Friday, January 31. Submitters will be notified by Friday, February 7 as to their acceptance in the Colloquium. Accepted presenters will be asked to submit an abstract (250 words max) to will@dlia.org and paul_super@nps.gov by Friday, February 21.

Deadlines

Friday, Jan 31Deadline to submit the title and author information for your presentation or poster to will@dlia.org and paul_super@nps.govFriday, Feb 7Submitters will be notified of their acceptanceFriday, Feb 21Deadline to submit your abstract to will@dlia.org and paul_super@nps.govWednesday, March 11Recommended: Save time by uploading your presentation to Dropbox at this link by this date

Helpful information

Time slots: Presentation slots will be 15-20 minutes (including time for questions), depending on the number of abstract submissions we receive. We will send you a finalized schedule close to the event. A podium with microphone will be provided and you won’t be able to see “presenter view” on your presentation (sorry!).

Presentation format: Talks should be PowerPoint (PPT or PPTX) or PDF. Presentations set to wide-format (16:9) will make the best use of our wide screen. Please let us know if you require a different file format or would like to include a video with sound and we will try to accommodate. FYI, presentations will be displayed from a Windows computer via Microsoft Office 365.

Presentation content: Please note that many in the audience will have advanced degrees, but few will have advanced degrees in your topic, so plan to provide a bit of explanation of technical jargon and stay away from acronyms.

Presentation upload: Speakers may upload their presentations to this Dropbox folder (preferred, and preferably by Wednesday, March 11) or bring them on a USB flash drive the morning of the event. Like to make last-minute changes to your presentation? No problem! You may upload multiple versions of your presentation to the Dropbox link (up to the morning of the colloquium) and we’ll use the latest at the colloquium. Note: this is just a time-saving measure; presentations will not be made public without your consent.

Upload your presentation here

Posters: Posters may also be presented at the Colloquium. Please see submission instructions above. Posters can be any size under 48″ wide by 48″ high. We’ll provide a stand and fasteners.

Smokies Science Teacher Workshop

During the Science Colloquium, we will be holding a free workshop for science teachers (grades 5-8). The teacher workshop will be held concurrently with the Colloquium from 2:00-4:00 PM at the Park Vista, but teachers are encouraged to attend the entire Colloquium to learn about the science taking place in the Smokies. The workshop will include an iNaturalist “field session” and a data analysis activity with iNat data. Please download the iNaturalist app (App Store, Google Play) to your phone or other mobile device and create an account prior to attending the workshop. Workshop space is limited. Email julie@dlia.org by February 28th to RSVP.

Workshop materials

Please download iNaturalist to your phone or other mobile device beforehand: (App Store, Google Play)Additional materials and resources will be posted here closer to the workshop

Fireflies Event at Norton Creek 2020
2020-05-29 19:00 - 2020-05-31 23:00 | Norton Creek Sanctuary
This event has now passed. Check out the 2021 event page for the latest event.

Join DLiA for a firefly-centered evening! We’ll start with food and drink at a gorgeous, intimate venue, followed by a presentation and Q&A about fireflies. At dusk we’ll descend to our favorite firefly viewing spot on the property, where synchronous fireflies and other glowing critters will put on a light show that you’ll never forget!

NOTE: This is a private fundraising event, held at a private reserve adjacent to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It is not associated with the Park or its synchronous firefly lottery at Elkmont.

UPDATE MAY 12: At present, we plan to hold this event as scheduled, but with modifications to minimize the risk for all participants (see details below). We will continue to monitor the coronavirus situation and make additional changes, as needed to keep everyone safe. Current ticket holders also have the option of transferring their tickets to our 2021 event or receiving a full refund. Stay safe, stay healthy, and thank you for your support!

Modifications for coronavirus

We are making the following changes to this event to minimize the risk of coronavirus transmission at this event:

Attendance will be limited to 30 guests (approx. 50% capacity) and all attendees will be required to stay with their group throughout the night

We will not gather at the house where we usually start the event, but will instead meet at the viewing site (on the same private property)

We will not serve food or alcohol, but will give attendees a gift certificate to redeem later on their own

The firefly presentation will be available online in advance of the event so that folks can view it before they arrive

We will require every attendee to wear a mask and to practice social distancing

We will check temperatures on arrival and turn attendees away if they present fever or other COVID-19-like symptoms

Attendees will be required to sign a form agreeing to follow these guidelines for the safety of our guests, volunteers, and staff

Any attendee that does not follow these safety guidelines will be asked to leave the property immediately and will not be given a refund

The event could still be cancelled if the outbreak worsens over the next few weeks, at which point attendees will have the option to carry their ticket over to the 2021 fireflies event or receive a refund

If you are interested in attending this event, please purchase your tickets now and we will email you further guidance and updates as the event approaches.

General information

An entomologist will talk about fireflies of the Smokies and answer your burning firefly questions

This is a rain or shine event (see FAQ below)

Sorry but pets are not allowed at this event

There will be light walking on paved and gravel surfaces

We’ll email ticket holders details, including directions to the event, as the event approaches

Please purchase tickets early as they are limited and usually sell out

Timing

Friday, May 29, 2020 from 7:00 to 11:00 PM

Saturday, May 30, 2020 from 7:00 to 11:00 PM

Sunday, May 31, 2020 from 7:00 to 11:00 PM

Location

The event will be held at Norton Creek Preserve, a 3000-acre tract of land adjacent to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, accessible via the Spur (HWY 321/441) near Gatlinburg, TN. Ticket holders will be sent detailed directions as the event approaches.

Food & drink

Ticket purchase includes food (heavy hors d’oeuvres) by Whole Earth Grocery, including vegetarian options, as well as beer, wine, sodas and tea.

Silent auction

Don’t miss our firefly-related treasures including original firefly artwork and photography! Cash, check and card are accepted.

Tickets

Fireflies Event tickets are $225 per person and are open to anyone 10 years of age or older. Each ticket is for a single night of the event (Friday, Saturday, or Sunday). Your ticket purchase helps DLiA carry out its mission!

Cancellation policy

Full payment is due at sign up. We will be happy to refund your full payment if and only if we are able to fill your slot.

UPDATE MAY 12: At present, we plan to hold this event as scheduled, but with modifications to minimize the risk for all participants (see details listed above). We will continue to monitor the coronavirus situation and make additional changes, as needed to keep everyone safe. Current ticket holders also have the option of transferring their tickets to our 2021 event or receiving a full refund. Stay safe, stay healthy, and thank you for your support!

Have questions?

Need help purchasing tickets? Please first read our FAQ below answers to common questions, then ask Todd if you still need help: todd@dlia.org or (865)-430-4757.

FAQ

Q. Is this event related to the synchronous firefly lottery in Great Smoky Mountains National Park?

A. No, it is not. Discover Life in America is a non-profit partner of the Park; however, this is a private fundraising event that is not associated with the Park’s lottery for synchronous firefly viewing at Elkmont. That is a totally separate event and we cannot answer questions about the lottery, 2019 dates for the lottery, or anything else related to it. Information about the lottery can be found at https://www.nps.gov/grsm/learn/nature/fireflies.htm.

Q. $225 per person seems expensive. Is this event really worth it?

A. We certainly think so! For the price of $225 you get a lot of value and you support the work of Discover Life in America! There’ll be delicious food, made from scratch by our friends at Whole Earth Grocery, and yummy alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. You’ll get an exclusive look at the private venue for the event, a gorgeous house made from rough-hewn hemlocks and decorated with birch bark, which is set on a pastoral hilltop right next to the national park. You’ll have one-on-one time with an entomologist who will tell you more than you ever wanted to know about the 19 species of fireflies that live in the Smokies. And of course you’ll get to see the magical display of the synchronous fireflies, but not among a crowd in the national park. Rather, you’ll see them in a leisurely, small-group setting with guides to point them out and answer all your questions. We are positive that you will find the Fireflies Event to be an illuminating experience!

Q. How do you know the synchronous fireflies will be active?

A. Synchronous fireflies in the Smokies region typically reach their peak activity around the end of May to middle of June; however, this can vary from year to year based on temperature and weather. The Park uses temperature data to plan the dates of their lottery system, typically releasing those dates around late April. We, however, must book the venue for our Fireflies Event a year in advance, so we carefully select a date that falls within the peak season for synchronous firefly activity from previous years. In the seven years that we’ve been doing this event, we’ve never been disappointed.

Q. I can’t find the exact location of this event on your website. Why is that?

A. As the synchronous fireflies have become extremely popular in the Smokies, we don’t post our event location for fear that the public will trespass on the private property of our generous hosts and trample pristine firefly habitat. Rest assured though: we will contact all ticket holders with detailed directions to the event and other information that you’ll need to know for this once-in-a-lifetime evening.

Q. (Close to the event) Rain may be forecast during the event. Will it be canceled?

A. Nope. The Smokies region gets lots of rain, but it has not affected our firefly viewing. The first part of the event takes place inside, but bring a light rain jacket in case we get a little rain during viewing, which takes place outside but under a protective forest canopy. One night last year it was pouring rain during our firefly presentation, but by viewing time the rain had stopped and the fireflies were spectacular. It’s going to be great!

Q. In the description for this event, you mention “other glowing critters.” What are you talking about?

A. There is a veritable menagerie of glowing critters to see at the Fireflies Event! Apart from the ever-popular synchronous fireflies (Photinus carolinus), and the rising stars that are the blue ghost fireflies (Phausis reticulata), we’ve seen railroad worms (Phengodes spp.), which are another type of beetle with glowing larvae and adult females, and also fungus gnat larvae (a.k.a. foxfire flies, Orfelia fultoni), which glow faintly blue from seeps on the hillside. We typically see the adults of other firefly species during viewing while we wait for the synchronous and blue ghost fireflies to become active (there are nine other firefly species in the region that glow), and we find the glowing larvae and pupae of a number of these species.

Q. Where should I stay during the event?

A. Although lodging is not included as part of the Fireflies Event, there are great hotel options in Gatlinburg and also Pigeon Forge. They are about equidistant from the venue.

Virtual Fireflies Event
2020-06-01 20:00 - 21:00
Witness the magic of the Smokies fireflies from the comfort of your own home! We are collaborating with firefly photographer Radim Schreiber to present a Virtual Fireflies Event. Tune in Monday, June 1 at 8 pm ET on YouTube.

TUNE IN ON YouTube

DONATE NOW

What is it? The event will include a short presentation about fireflies by our Director of Science and Research, Dr. Will Kuhn, followed by beautiful firefly footage by firefly photographer and cinematographer Radim Schreiber (FireflyExperience.org). The display will include the world-famous synchronous fireflies (Photinus carolinus), as well as blue ghosts (Phausis reticulata) and other firefly species native to the Smokies region, all set to relaxing sounds of nature. Knoxville radio journalist and DLiA board member Chrissy Keuper will give a special introduction. Kuhn and other DLiA staff will be answering questions in the comments section during the event.

This is a free event, however, we do suggest a $5 donation to help DLiA continue its biodiversity work in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Click the “Set Reminder” bell to get a notification before the show starts and don’t forget to like and subscribe to our YouTube channel!

Want to see the fireflies in person? Mark your calendar for the 2021 Fireflies Event at Norton Creek. Join us for an evening of fireflies!

Schoolyard Exploration...Smokies Style
2020-09-29 16:00 - 17:30
Join our biodiversity-themed virtual teacher workshop, co-organized by Discover Life in America and Great Smoky Mountains National Park Education Park Rangers. Participants will learn about activities that we use in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and how they can be adapted at home or around a schoolyard. This virtual workshop is free and open to teachers and educators for all grade levels in public, private, and home-school education.

UPDATE SEPT 21: Wow! We’re excited that we’ve had some much interest in this workshop! Unfortunately, all available slots and our waiting list are now both filled. Please stay tuned to our Facebook and events page, where we will announce our next workshop very soon. Thank you for your interest!

What to expect from the workshop

This 1.5-hour workshop will include an introduction to resources and a hands-on exploration that can be easily replicated at any schoolyard or at home. We will model the use of free virtual platforms that can enhance classroom and at-home learning. We will explore the world of the terrestrial macroinvertebrate, learn how to navigate the iNatualist app, and see how you and your students can participate in the Species SnapIt & MapIt project, which contributes to a public resource called Atlas of the Smokies.

Timing and location

The virtual workshop will take place over Zoom on Tuesday, September 29, 2020 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. ET

Who can participate

The workshop is open to any teacher or educator, for any grade level in public, private, home-school education, informal education, etc. Attendance will be limited, so please register early.

How to register

This workshop is free but you must fill out the registration form to participate. Spots are limited, so please register early. We will send out a Zoom meeting link with your registration confirmation and additional information as the workshop approaches.

Registration for this workshop is now closed. All available slots and our waiting list are now both filled. Please stay tuned to our Facebook and events page, where we will announce our next workshop very soon. Thank you for your interest!

Before the workshop

Please download and set up the iNaturalist app to your mobile device before the workshop. It’s free and useful!

Download and install iNaturalist: Google Play store or Apple App store or just search for iNaturalistFollow the prompts to create an account and sign into the appOptional: Play around with the app. Explore and add an observation of an organism in your yard.

Watch this video to get a primer on using the iNaturalist app:

Resources

The following are materials that will either be used directly during the workshop or that participants may find helpful later on.

Terrestrial macroinvertebrates:

Terrestrial Invertebrate Study – detailed instructions and resourcesIdentification guide for terrestrial macroinvertebrates (PDF)Inventory datasheet (PDF)Data collection worksheet – elementary (DOCX)Parks as Classrooms: Terrestrial Macro-invertebrates (YouTube video)Parks as Classrooms: Observation Skills – High School level (YouTube video)Parks as Classrooms: Observation Skills – Elementary School level (YouTube video)

Species SnapIt & MapIt project:

Species SnapIt & MapIt community science projectAtlas of the Smokies (free NPS web tool)iNaturalist project for Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Other helpful resources:

iScience – DLiA’s biodiversity program for middle schoolsEducation at Great Smoky Mountains National ParkSmokiEEEs at HomeTremont Institute‘s programs for educators

Questions

Ask Haley (haley@dlia.org)

Schoolyard Exploration, Smokies Style
2020-10-22 15:30 - 17:00
Join our biodiversity-themed virtual teacher workshop, co-organized by Discover Life in America and Great Smoky Mountains National Park Education Park Rangers. Participants will learn about activities that we use in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and how they can be adapted at home or around a schoolyard. This virtual workshop is free and open to teachers and educators for all grade levels in public, private, and home-school education.

Back by popular demand: This is a repeat of our September 29th virtual teacher workshop by the same name.

REGISTER HERE

What to expect from the workshop

This 1.5-hour workshop will include an introduction to resources and a hands-on exploration that can be easily replicated at any schoolyard or at home. We will model the use of free virtual platforms that can enhance classroom and at-home learning. We will explore the world of the terrestrial macroinvertebrate, learn how to navigate the iNatualist app, and see how you and your students can participate in the Species SnapIt & MapIt project, which contributes to a public resource called Atlas of the Smokies.

Timing and location

The virtual workshop will take place over Zoom on Thursday, October 22nd, 2020 from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. ET

Who can participate

The workshop is open to any teacher or educator, for any grade level in public, private, home-school education, informal education, etc. Attendance will be limited, so please register early.

How to register

This workshop is free but you must fill out the registration form to participate. Spots are limited, so please register early. We will send out a Zoom meeting link with your registration confirmation and additional information as the workshop approaches.

REGISTER HERE

Before the workshop

Get to know iNaturalist! Please download and set up the free iNaturalist app to your mobile device before the workshop. We’ll use it during the workshop, and it is a generally useful app.

Download and install iNaturalist: Google Play store or Apple App store or just search for iNaturalistFollow the prompts to create an account and sign into the appOptional: Play around with the app. Explore and add an observation of an organism in your yard.

Watch this video to get a primer on using the iNaturalist app:

Resources

The following are materials that will either be used directly during the workshop or that participants may find helpful later on.

Terrestrial macroinvertebrates:

Terrestrial Invertebrate Study – detailed instructions and resourcesIdentification guide for terrestrial macroinvertebrates (PDF)Inventory datasheet (PDF)Data collection worksheet – elementary (DOCX)Parks as Classrooms: Terrestrial Macro-invertebrates (YouTube video)Parks as Classrooms: Observation Skills – High School level (YouTube video)Parks as Classrooms: Observation Skills – Elementary School level (YouTube video)

Species SnapIt & MapIt project:

Species SnapIt & MapIt community science projectAtlas of the Smokies (free NPS web tool)iNaturalist project for Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Other helpful resources:

iScience – DLiA’s biodiversity program for middle schoolsEducation at Great Smoky Mountains National ParkSmokiEEEs at HomeTremont Institute‘s programs for educatorsScience @ Sugarlands recorded talksScience @ Sugarlands talk detailing Species SnapIt & MapIt community science project in the Smokies

Questions

Ask Haley (haley@dlia.org)

Schoolyard Exploration, Smokies Style
2020-11-10 15:30 - 17:00
Join our biodiversity-themed virtual teacher workshop, co-organized by Discover Life in America and Great Smoky Mountains National Park Education Park Rangers. Participants will learn about activities that we use in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and how they can be adapted at home or around a schoolyard. This virtual workshop is free and open to teachers and educators for all grade levels in public, private, and home-school education.

Back by popular demand: This is a repeat of our September 29th and October 22nd virtual teacher workshops by the same name.

UPDATE: Apologies if you had trouble registering! The registration link below has been updated. As of Oct 28th at 2:45 PM, slots should be available, however the are expected to fill up fast.

REGISTER HERE

What to expect from the workshop

This 1.5-hour workshop will include an introduction to resources and a hands-on exploration that can be easily replicated at any schoolyard or at home. We will model the use of free virtual platforms that can enhance classroom and at-home learning. We will explore the world of the terrestrial macroinvertebrate, learn how to navigate the iNatualist app, and see how you and your students can participate in the Species SnapIt & MapIt project, which contributes to a public resource called Atlas of the Smokies.

Timing and location

The virtual workshop will take place over Zoom on Tuesday, November 10th, 2020 from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. ET

Who can participate

The workshop is open to any teacher or educator, for any grade level in public, private, home-school education, informal education, etc. Attendance will be limited, so please register early.

How to register

This workshop is free but you must fill out the registration form to participate. Spots are limited, so please register early. We will send out a Zoom meeting link with your registration confirmation and additional information as the workshop approaches.

REGISTER HERE

Before the workshop

Get to know iNaturalist! Please download and set up the free iNaturalist app to your mobile device before the workshop. We’ll use it during the workshop, and it is a generally useful app.

Download and install iNaturalist: Google Play store or Apple App store or just search for iNaturalistFollow the prompts to create an account and sign into the appOptional: Play around with the app. Explore and add an observation of an organism in your yard.

Watch this video to get a primer on using the iNaturalist app:

Resources

The following are materials that will either be used directly during the workshop or that participants may find helpful later on.

Terrestrial macroinvertebrates:

Terrestrial Invertebrate Study – detailed instructions and resourcesIdentification guide for terrestrial macroinvertebrates (PDF)Inventory datasheet (PDF)Data collection worksheet – elementary (DOCX)Parks as Classrooms: Terrestrial Macro-invertebrates (YouTube video)Parks as Classrooms: Observation Skills – High School level (YouTube video)Parks as Classrooms: Observation Skills – Elementary School level (YouTube video)

Species SnapIt & MapIt project:

Species SnapIt & MapIt community science projectAtlas of the Smokies (free NPS web tool)iNaturalist project for Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Other helpful resources:

iScience – DLiA’s biodiversity program for middle schoolsEducation at Great Smoky Mountains National ParkSmokiEEEs at HomeTremont Institute‘s programs for educatorsHands on the Land Terrestrial Invertebrate StudySeek app by iNaturalist

Questions

Ask Haley (haley@dlia.org)

iScience Workshop for Teachers
2021-03-04 15:00 - 17:00
iScience Workshop for Teachers

Join us for a free virtual workshop to learn about our iScience biodiversity program for middle schools. This workshop is open to all educators although iScience is specifically geared toward grades 5-8. It will follow the Science Colloquium (also free) and we encourage participants to attend both events.

Register for Zoom link

About the workshop

In this virtual workshop you will learn how to increase students’ awareness and appreciation for the incredible biodiversity around us through the iScience program. We’ll learn about iScience, DLiA’s schoolyard biodiversity program in cooperation with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) for grades 5th-8th. This program uses the All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory (ATBI) model, bringing ATBIs to schoolyards within the TVA Program Area. We’ll also explore how to use the iNaturalist app into both in-person and virtual classroom settings. In the program, students use iNaturalist to conduct ATBIs on their school grounds, acting as citizen scientists and collecting real scientific data about their local biodiversity.

Who can attend?

The workshop is open to anyone including teachers, other educators, and parents but will be aimed toward those educating 5th to 8th graders.

Location and registration

The virtual workshop will take place on Zoom on Thursday, March 4th from 3:00 to 5:00 PM ET. Register below to receive a Zoom link.

Register for Zoom link

Before the workshop

Before the workshop, please download iNaturalist on your Apple or Android device and follow instructions in the app to create an account. Feel free to explore the app beforehand and bring your questions about it to the workshop.

Join the Science Colloquium

We encourage participants to join the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Science Colloquium, a series of virtual presentations from scientists working in the Smokies. Talks range from biology to meteorology and are geared for a general audience. It will take place the same day (March 4th) from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM ET, also on Zoom. Learn more and register for that free conference at this page.

Science at Sugarlands: Butterflies
2021-05-21 13:00 - 15:00
Butterflies of Cades Cove

Warren Bielenberg

Learn about the variety and natural history of the many butterfly species living in Cades Cove from Warren Bielenberg, who has surveyed them for years.

For more information about this free virtual event and to register, please visit our main Science at Sugarlands page.

Virtual Fireflies Event 2021
2021-06-01 20:00 - 20:30
See blue ghosts and other fireflies of the Smokies during our second annual Virtual Fireflies Event! Award-winning firefly photographer and videographer Radim Schreiber will showcase never-before-seen footage of these magnificent creatures and DLiA science director Will Kuhn will talk about what makes fireflies so special. The video is free to view but we suggest making a $5 donation to help DLiA continue its research, education and conservation work in the Smokies.

Tune in June 1st at 8 pm ET!

All photos are copyright Radim Schreiber (fireflyexperience.org) and may not be used without express permission.

A virtual firefly extravaganza

Radim Schreiber (fireflyexperience.org)Dr. Will Kuhn, DLiA

Join entomologist Will Kuhn and firefly photographer and videographer Radim Schreiber as we witness the magic of the blue ghost firefly. What are they and what makes them special? How can you view and photograph them? Are there other kinds of fireflies in the Smokies? How can you help fireflies in your own backyard? Find out!

The presentation will showcase recordings of blue ghost fireflies recently captured by Radim Schreiber. Schreiber has won over a dozen film and photography awards for his gorgeous work capturing the displays of fireflies from around the world. He has also published Firefly Experience, a book of his photographs, and sells prints of his work from his website, fireflyexperience.org.

Last year’s inaugural Virtual Fireflies Event video has been viewed more than 157,000 times on YouTube! It was great, but this year’s will be even better!

Suggested donation: $5

We offer this presentation free of charge to anyone who loves fireflies. If you can, please consider making a donation to Discover Life in America. Your generous gift will help us continue our work to discover, understand and conserve biological diversity in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and beyond.

Donate Now

How to view

The video will premiere on YouTube June 1st at 8 pm ET at >>this YouTube link<<. While you wait, check out last year’s firefly video. Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel to be notified of new content about life in the Smokies!

FAQ

Q. Is this a live event?

A. No. This event marks the world premiere of a beautiful video created by award-winning firefly photographer and videographer Radim Schreiber (fireflyexperience.org). It does include never-before-seen footage of blue ghost fireflies, which was recently recorded in the Smokies. Also, DLiA Science Director Dr. Will Kuhn and Radim Schreiber will be on hand to answer your questions live in the comments.

Q. Can I still join your in-person firefly event?

A. Unfortunately, no. We have long since sold out tickets for our 2021 Fireflies Event at Norton Creek. You can sign up for the waiting list, but it’s rather long and your chances are pretty slim at this point. You should totally check out our 2022 in-person event though! Tickets go on sale January 2, 2022. We will posts the dates for that event in mid-June. Thanks for your interest!

Sponsors

Thanks to the following generous sponsors for supporting the 2021 Virtual Fireflies Event and Fireflies Event at Norton Creek!

Fireflies Event at Norton Creek 2021
2021-06-03 19:00 - 2021-06-06 23:00
Join DLiA for our annual firefly-centered fundraising event at Norton Creek. Witness the magic of the Smokies fireflies from a beautiful private setting. This is an evening you won’t forget! All proceeds help Discover Life in America carry out its mission to understand and conserve biodiversity in the Smokies.

NOTE: This is a private fundraising event, held at a private reserve adjacent to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This event is not associated with the Park or its synchronous firefly lottery at Elkmont.

Four nights to choose from:

Thursday, June 3, 2021 – 7:00 to 11:00 pm SOLD OUT!Friday, June 4, 2021 – 7:00 to 11:00 pm SOLD OUT!Saturday, June 5, 2021 – 7:00 to 11:00 pm SOLD OUT!Sunday, June 6, 2021 – 7:00 to 11:00 pm SOLD OUT!

UPDATE: We are officially sold out of tickets for this event. Please use the waiting list form (button below) if you’re still interested and we will contact you IF we have cancellations for the night of your choice. We’ll post the dates for next year’s event sometime in June and tickets will become available starting January 2nd 2022, so stay tuned. Thanks for your interest and support!

Waiting list (all nights)
Check out our Virtual Fireflies Event

General information

We’ll tell you all about the synchronous fireflies and other firefly species in the Smokies, and we’ll answer your burning firefly questions This is a rain or shine event (see FAQ below) Sorry but pets are not allowed at this event

There will be light walking on paved and gravel surfacesTicketholders will receive an email packet with directions and more as the event approachesPlease purchase tickets early. They’re limited and usually sell out

Location

The event will be held at Norton Creek Preserve, a 3000-acre tract of land adjacent to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, accessible via the Spur (HWY 321/441) near Gatlinburg, TN. Ticket holders will be sent detailed directions as the event approaches.

Food & drink

Ticket purchase includes food (heavy hors d’oeuvres) by Whole Earth Grocery, including vegetarian options, as well as beer, wine, sodas and tea.

Silent auction

Don’t miss our firefly-related treasures including original firefly artwork and photography! Cash, check and card are accepted.

Tickets

Fireflies Event tickets are $225 per person and are open to anyone 10 years of age or older (children under 10 are not allowed). Each ticket is for a single night of the event (Thursday, Friday, Saturday, or Sunday). Your ticket purchase helps DLiA carry out its mission!

IMPORTANT NOTE REGARDING COVID-19: Right now, we’re planning for this to be a partially indoor event as we have done pre-2020. In early May, we’ll determine if we need to adapt the event to be socially distanced and outdoor-only, depending on CDC guidance at that time. We will update ticketholders when we make that determination and post additional information here.

Waiting list (all nights)

Cancellation policy

Full payment is due at sign up. We will be happy to refund your full payment if and only if we are able to fill your slot.

Have questions?

Need help purchasing tickets? Please first read our FAQ below for answers to common questions, then ask Todd if you still need help: todd@dlia.org or (865)-430-4757.

FAQ

Q. Is this event related to the synchronous firefly lottery in Great Smoky Mountains National Park?

A. No, it is not. Discover Life in America is a non-profit partner of the Park; however, this is a private fundraising event that is not associated with the Park’s lottery for synchronous firefly viewing at Elkmont. That is a totally separate event and we cannot answer questions about the lottery, dates for the lottery, or anything else related to it. Information about the lottery can be found at https://www.nps.gov/grsm/learn/nature/fireflies.htm.

Q. $225 per person seems expensive. Is this event really worth it?

A. We certainly think so! For the price of $225 you get a lot of value and you support the work of Discover Life in America! There’ll be delicious food, made from scratch by our friends at Whole Earth Grocery, and yummy alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. You’ll get an exclusive look at the private venue for the event, a gorgeous house made from rough-hewn hemlocks and decorated with birch bark, which is set on a pastoral hilltop right next to the national park. You’ll have one-on-one time with an entomologist who will tell you more than you ever wanted to know about the 19 species of fireflies that live in the Smokies. And of course you’ll get to see the magical display of the synchronous fireflies, but not among a crowd in the national park. Rather, you’ll see them in a leisurely, small-group setting with guides to point them out and answer all your questions. We are positive that you will find the Fireflies Event to be an illuminating experience!

Q. How do you know the synchronous fireflies will be active?

A. Synchronous fireflies in the Smokies region typically reach their peak activity around the end of May to middle of June; however, this can vary from year to year based on temperature and weather. The Park uses temperature data to plan the dates of their lottery system, typically releasing those dates around late April. We, however, must book the venue for our Fireflies Event a year in advance, so we carefully select a date that falls within the peak season for synchronous firefly activity from previous years. In the seven years that we’ve been doing this event, we’ve never been disappointed.

Q. I can’t find the exact location of this event on your website. Why is that?

A. As the synchronous fireflies have become extremely popular in the Smokies, we don’t post our event location for fear that the public will trespass on the private property of our generous hosts and trample pristine firefly habitat. Rest assured though: we will contact all ticket holders with detailed directions to the event and other information that you’ll need to know for this once-in-a-lifetime evening.

Q. (Close to the event) Rain may be forecast during the event. Will it be canceled?

A. Nope. The Smokies region gets lots of rain, but it has not affected our firefly viewing. The first part of the event takes place inside, but bring a light rain jacket in case we get a little rain during viewing, which takes place outside but under a protective forest canopy. One night last year it was pouring rain during our firefly presentation, but by viewing time the rain had stopped and the fireflies were spectacular. It’s going to be great!

Q. In the description for this event, you mention “other glowing critters.” What are you talking about?

A. There is a veritable menagerie of glowing critters to see at the Fireflies Event! Apart from the ever-popular synchronous fireflies (Photinus carolinus), and the rising stars that are the blue ghost fireflies (Phausis reticulata), we’ve seen railroad worms (Phengodes spp.), which are another type of beetle with glowing larvae and adult females, and also fungus gnat larvae (a.k.a. foxfire flies, Orfelia fultoni), which glow faintly blue from seeps on the hillside. We typically see the adults of other firefly species during viewing while we wait for the synchronous and blue ghost fireflies to become active (there are nine other firefly species in the region that glow), and we find the glowing larvae and pupae of a number of these species.

Q. Where should I stay during the event?

A. Although lodging is not included as part of the Fireflies Event, there are great hotel options in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. They are about equidistant from the venue.

Q. Are kids allowed at this event?

A. Children 10 years of age or older may attend this event with ticket purchase. We do not allow children under 10 years of age to attend this event.

Sponsors

Thanks to the following generous sponsors for supporting the 2021 Fireflies Event at Norton Creek and Virtual Fireflies Event!

Science at Sugarlands: Arthropods
2021-06-18 13:00 - 15:00
Litter Arthropods of High Appalachia

Mike Caterino, Clemson University Arthropod Collection

There are tons of tiny creatures dwelling in the soil and leaf litter in high elevation spruce-fir forests of the Southern Appalachian Mountains. These insects, millipedes, pseudoscorpions, and other arthropods are poorly studied but serve an important role in these mountain ecosystems. Learn about these tiny, fascinating creatures and the new discoveries being made every day!

Here are some examples of High Appalachian arthropods in Flickr and iNaturalist. Caterino Lab page.

For more information about this free virtual event and to register, please visit our main Science at Sugarlands page.

Photo credit: Mike Caterino via Flickr

Science at Sugarlands: Birds
2021-07-16 13:00 - 15:00
Birds of the Smokies

Keith Watson, local bird expert

For more information about this free virtual event and to register, please visit our main Science at Sugarlands page.

Bioblitz @ Cave Mountain Trail
2021-07-17 08:00 - 12:00
Bioblitz @ Cave Mountain Trail

Free, family friendly opportunity to learn about local animals and plants while contributing to science. Join Discover Life in America and the Tennessee Valley Authority at the Cave Mountain Small Wild Area on the south side of Guntersville Dam for a bioblitz of the Cave Mountain Trail.

What’s a bioblitz?

During a bioblitz, volunteers help us find as many kinds of animals, plants and other organisms as we can find in a certain place. It’s also an opportunity for you to be a community scientist, gathering real scientific data, while also learning about the local flora and fauna living around you!

What will we be doing?

Walking the Cave Mountain Trail (a moderate 1.5 mile loop), looking for bugs, flowers, and anything else we can find. We’ll photograph them with our phones and post pictures to our iNaturalist project. It’ll be a fun morning of outdoor time in a gorgeous natural space and we’ll have several experts on hand to guide small groups around the trail and point out interesting facts about the organisms we see.

Afterward you can see what kind of organisms we found by visiting the Cave Mountain iNaturalist project, which will be up indefinitely. We encourage you to revisit the site later and post what you find! Making iNaturalist observations helps TVA know what’s out there so they can better manage and protect these public lands.

FREE REGISTRATION

Before the event

Download iNaturalist to your phone (it’s free!)Follow prompts in the app to create an iNaturalist accountBring water and some snacks (we’ll also provide water)Wear weather-appropriate clothing and sturdy shoes for hiking

Where and when to meet?

Meet in the gravel parking area for Cave Mountain Small Wild Area, located on the north side of Snow Point Road/HWY 50 at 8 AM on Saturday, July 17. Cave Mountain SWA is on the south side of the Guntersville Dam near Guntersville, Alabama.

Directions to meeting spot

Helpful links

Cave Mountain iNaturalist projectCave Mountain Trail map (PDF)List of all our bioblitzes with TVATVA RecreationVisit the Smokies? Contribute to our iNaturalist project thereLearn about our iScience schoolyard biodiversity program (grades 5-8)

Have questions?

Ask Will: will@dlia.org

Bioblitz @ East Lakeshore Trail
2021-07-31 08:00 - 12:00
Bioblitz @ East Lakeshore Trail

Free, family friendly opportunity to learn about local animals and plants while contributing to science. Join Discover Life in America and the Tennessee Valley Authority at the East Lakeshore Trail on Tellico Lake in Tennessee.

What’s a bioblitz?

During a bioblitz, volunteers help us find as many kinds of animals, plants and other organisms as we can find in a certain place. It’s also an opportunity for you to be a community scientist, gathering real scientific data, while also learning about the local flora and fauna living around you!

What will we be doing?

Walking a couple of sections of the East Lakeshore Trail, looking for bugs, flowers, and anything else we can find. We’ll photograph them with our phones and post pictures to our iNaturalist project. It’ll be a fun morning of outdoor time in a gorgeous natural space and we’ll have several experts on hand to guide small groups around the trail and point out interesting facts about the organisms we see.

Afterward you can see what kind of organisms we found by visiting the East Lakeshore Trail iNaturalist project, which will be up indefinitely. We encourage you to revisit any part of the 28.8-mile East Lakeshore Trail and post what you find! Making iNaturalist observations helps TVA know what’s out there so they can better manage and protect these public lands.

FREE REGISTRATION

Before the event

Download iNaturalist to your phone (it’s free!)Follow prompts in the app to create an iNaturalist accountBring water and some snacks (we’ll also provide water)Wear weather-appropriate clothing and sturdy shoes for hiking

Where and when to meet?

Meet in the Mizell Trailhead and Parking Area at 8 AM on Saturday, July 31.

The East Lakeshore Trail extends 28.8 miles and is divided into several sections. We’ll focus on the Canal and Baker Hollow Branches of the East Lakeshore Trail, which span 4.5 miles total. We’ll take our time looking for fun flora and fauna and may not cover that full distance.

Directions to meeting spot

Helpful links

East Lakeshore iNaturalist projectTVA’s East Lakeshore Trail information pageList of all our bioblitzes with TVATVA RecreationVisit the Smokies? Contribute to our iNaturalist project thereLearn about our iScience schoolyard biodiversity program (grades 5-8)

Have questions?

Ask Will: will@dlia.org

Science at Sugarlands: Water Bears
2021-08-20 13:00 - 15:00
Water bears of the Smokies

Paul Bartels, Warren Wilson College

Water bears, also called tardigrades or moss piglets, are microscopic creatures that live on moss and in aquatic environments. These tiny creatures have captured the imagination of the world because they are practically indestructible. Learn about water bears from Dr. Paul Bartels, who has studies them in the Smokies for years and even named several new water bear species.

For more information about this free virtual event and to register, please visit our main Science at Sugarlands page.

Photo credit: Kevin FitzPatrick

Great Smokies Eco-Adventure
2021-08-29 12:00 - 2021-08-31 17:00
Experience the Smokies like never before! Spend your days exploring the wilds of Great Smoky Mountains National Park and your nights glamorously camping off the grid. DLiA is partnering with A Walk in the Woods to bring you this exclusive 3-day, 2-night adventure that will include guided hikes and nature walks, camping in a luxurious off-grid setting, great local food and drink, and much more. All proceeds from this fundraising event will help DLiA discover and conserve the rich biodiversity of the Smokies.

PURCHASE TICKETS

Gain new insight into the rich biodiversity of the Smokies from experts in local flora and fauna!

Savor delicious local food & drink!

Enjoy s’mores around the campfire with live music by Elza Gate!

Curl up with a book, surrounded by natural wondersComfy glamping accomodationsSerene naturescapes + wine!S’mores by the campfireEnjoy fresh delights from our off-grid camp kitchenOff-grid, but with hot showers!

Tentative schedule

The 2-night adventure begins at noon Sunday, August 29th and will last and will conclude on the evening of Tuesday, August 31st. Here’s a look at what’s in store.

DAY 1 (SUNDAY, AUG 29) Guests will meet at Sugarlands Visitor Center at noon, and enjoy light snacks and a guided insect hike led by DLiA’s resident entomologist, Will Kuhn. In the late afternoon, we’ll head to A Walk in the Woods’ private off-the-grid camp located near Cosby and settle into our luxurious glamping accommodations. We’ll enjoy a cocktail party with heavy hors d’oeuvres, serenaded by local bluegrass duet, Elza Gate. We’ll finish off with s’mores around a campfire.

DAY 2 (MONDAY, AUG 30) We’ll have fresh coffee and an early breakfast at camp made with local ingredients and pack our sack lunches. Guests will then have a choice of day hikes: for the adventurous, an exclusive guided hike through old-growth forest to see some of the largest trees in the southern US (moderate difficulty, but gorgeous), or guests may choose an easier guided waterfall/swimming hole hike. We’ll arrive back at camp in early evening and enjoy southern fixins around the campfire.

DAY 3 (TUESDAY, AUG 31) We’ll start with a pancake breakfast, pack sack lunches, and pack up our gear. Guests will again have a choice between two day hikes: a more strenuous guided through-hike along Gabes Mountain Trail (8 miles) or an easier hike in the Cosby area of the Park. We’ll plan to arrive back at Sugarlands Visitor Center around 5PM where we’ll say our goodbyes and guests will depart.

Your hosts

The Great Smokies Eco-Adventure is co-hosted by Discover Life in America and A Walk in the Woods. As an award-winning, locally owned and operated tour guide company, A Walk in the Woods has been helping people get the most out of their Smoky Mountains experience for over 23 years, serving over 100,000 visitors along the way!

A Walk in the Woods has generously provided their camp, staff, and Smokies expertise to make this new and exciting fundraising event possible and we are so excited to work with them!

Tickets: $950 per person

All proceeds from this event will help DLiA continue its work in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Tickets are $950 per person, which includes your travel, accommodation, food, and alcohol during the event (details below).

PURCHASE TICKETS

What does your ticket purchase support?

Biodiversity research in the SmokiesOur biology interships……and photo/videography internshipsBiodiversity educationPublic engagement through citizen scienceConservation of creatures great and small in the Smokies

Specifically, your support will fund

our continuing research work with the All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory, aimed cataloging, understanding, and ultimately conserving the remarkable diversity of life in the Smokiesour world-class summer internship program, where we train the next generation of conservationists through an immersive experience in the Smokiesour educational programming in and around Great Smoky Mountains NP, fostering nature literacy among our community (Science @ Sugarlands, iScience, Species SnapIt & MapIt)and much more!

Travel (included during event)

Ticket purchase includes private bus transportation during the event. Guests must arrange their own travel to and from the meeting place (Sugarlands Visitor Center in Great Smoky Mountains National Park) before and after the event.

Food & drink (included)

Food (including vegan options) and drinks (including beer and wine) are included. Guests should plan to eat lunch before arriving on Sunday (light snacks will be provided). Please specify any dietary restrictions during ticket purchase and we will do our best to accommodate your needs.

Accommodations (included)

This is a “glamping” (glamorous camping) event and accommodations are rustic, but comfortable. The camp is off-the-grid, but it has many of the amenities of home, including hot showers and running water, a well-stocked camp kitchen, and a battery pack for lighting and to charge your phone as needed. You’ll sleep in a large 2-person tent with a comfy cot. Pricing is based on double occupancy.

What to bring

Required

sleeping bag towelday packhiking shoes/bootsrain jacketwater bottlecool weather clothing and jacket

Recommended

travel pillowflashlight or headlamp with fresh batteriesinsect repellentsunscreentoiletries

Where & when to meet?

Meet at Sugarlands Visitor Center, Bus parking lot (closest to Little River Road) at noon on Sunday. We will send out instructions and follow-up information to ticket holders as the event approaches.

Cancellation Policy

Full payment is due at sign up. If you decide to cancel your spot, we are happy to refund your full payment if and only if we are able to fill your slot before the event.

Science at Sugarlands: Elk
2021-09-17 13:00 - 15:00
Elk of the Smokies

Joseph Yarkovich, Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Elk are native to the eastern US but were lost in the region due to overhunting. They were reintroduced into the park in 2002 and since then, their numbers have continued to climb. Learn about these incredible animals from Joseph Yarkovich, who studies them in the Smokies.

For more information about this free virtual event and to register, please visit our main Science at Sugarlands page.

Photo credit: Garrett Hargiss

Science at Sugarlands: Herbarium
2021-10-15 13:00 - 15:00
The Smokies Herbarium

Janie Bitner, volunteer in the Natural History Collection at Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The park’s herbarium houses thousands of plant specimens and other flora from around the park, from common trees to rare and endangered plants. Janie has been volunteering in the herbarium for decades now and she’ll tell you all about it! Here is a preview.

For more information about this free virtual event and to register, please visit our main Science at Sugarlands page.

Science at Sugarlands: Beetles
2022-05-20 13:00 - 15:00
Beetles of the Smokies

Victoria Bayless, Curator, Louisiana State Arthropod Museum

Great Smoky Mountains National Park contains over 2,600 known beetle species. Victoria Bayless had a hand in discovering many of them through her work with the All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory (ATBI). Learn about the incredible diversity of beetles in the Smokies and why they’re so important and awesome!

Visit our main Science at Sugarlands page to for more information, registration for this free virtual talk, and recordings of past Science at Sugarlands presentations.

Science at Sugarlands: Safe Passage
2022-06-17 13:00 - 15:00
Safe Passage: helping wildlife cross the I-40 Pigeon River Gorge

Jeff Hunter, National Parks Conservation Association

Safe Passage is a coalition of folks working to create safe crossings for wildlife to cross Interstate 40 and other roadways in the Smokies area. It’s also the subject of a book from Great Smoky Mountains Association, called ‘A Search for Safe Passage‘. Learn about this project, how it started, and how it’s going from Jeff Hunter, project manager at NPCA and Safe Passage Facilitator.

Visit our main Science at Sugarlands page to for more information, registration for this free virtual talk, and recordings of past Science at Sugarlands presentations.

// A Search for Safe Passage book cover image borrowed from smokiessafepassage.org

Science at Sugarlands: Nematodes
2022-08-19 13:00 - 15:00
The fascinating world of nematodes

Tom Powers, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Largely unseen, nematodes–also called round worms–are tiny creatures and they’re everywhere! Some help recycle nutrients in the soil and water, some are predators, and others are parasites of animals, plants and other living things. Together, they serve many important roles in keeping our ecosystem functioning. Tom Powers will talk about his work studying these cryptic, fascinating creatures in the Smokies.

Visit our main Science at Sugarlands page to for more information, registration for this free virtual talk, and recordings of past Science at Sugarlands presentations.

// Cover photo: A nematode under the microscope. Photo by DLiA

Science at Sugarlands: Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage
2022-09-16 13:00 - 15:00
The Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage: 72 years of public education in the Smokies

Joey Shaw, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

The Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage is an annual event that draws in thousands of nature enthusiasts (“pilgrims”) to the area to attend expert-guided nature walks, hikes, and informational sessions celebrating the beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains. Joey Shaw, who tirelessly organizes the event every year, will talk about the past, present and future of the 72-year-old pilgrimage.

Visit our main Science at Sugarlands page to for more information, registration for this free virtual talk, and recordings of past Science at Sugarlands presentations.

// Cover photo: trout lily and spring beauty by Will Kuhn

REI Co-op Class Series: Smokies Most Wanted
2022-10-15 01:00 - 14:00 | REI Co-op Pigeon Forge, 2655 Teaster Ln Suite 310, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, 37863, United States
October 15th at 1pmSmokies Most Wanted: Community Science for the Whole Family

Are you looking for new ways to make family outdoor adventures more fun and educational? In this program, you’ll learn how to use a nature app called iNaturalist to become community scientists! We will teach you and your family how to document the animals and plants you encounter whether you are in Great Smoky Mountains National Park or even in your own backyard. It’s fun, easy, and great for kids and families! (Parent/guardian permission required for kids under 13.)

Register here for October 15th:https://www.rei.com/…/smokies-most-wanted…/318156

Science at Sugarlands: Monarchs
2022-10-21 13:00 - 15:00
Tremont’s monarch monitoring program in Cades Cove

Erin Canter, Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont

Erin Canter, manager of science literacy and research at Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont, will talk about Tremont’s community science program to tag and monitor monarch butterflies as they develop and migrate through the Smokies.

Visit our main Science at Sugarlands page to for more information, registration for this free virtual talk, and recordings of past Science at Sugarlands presentations.

// Cover photo: monarch butterfly on Queen Anne’s lace by Will Kuhn

REI Co-op Class Series: Smokies Most Wanted
2022-11-19 13:00 - 14:00 | REI Co-op Pigeon Forge, 2655 Teaster Ln Suite 310, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, 37863, United States
Saturday, November 19th at 1pmSmokies Most Wanted: Opt Outside with iNaturalist “Opt Outside” this year by doing community science! In this program, you’ll learn how to use a nature app called iNaturalist to document the animals and plants you encounter wherever you decide to #optoutside this year. We will also share how you can participate and make the most of iNaturalist, by seeking out specific species in a virtual scavenger hunt in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and how your contributions will help the park better protect its natural resources. It’s fun, easy, and great for all ages! (Parent/guardian permission required for kids under 13.) Register here for November 19th:https://www.rei.com/…/smokies-most-wanted-opt…/318157

Community Science Class Series: Birding
2023-10-05 18:00 | REI Co-op Pigeon Forge, 2655 Teaster Ln Suite 310, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, 37863, United States
Join Discover Life in America to learn birdwatching basics. We’ll cover tips on sight and sound ID, using binoculars and how you can contribute valuable community science data with bird observations on the free iNaturalist app! Take a walk in the green space near the REI Co-op to see what birds might be migrating through. A limited supply of binoculars will be available. All ages welcome!

Register for this free class here: https://www.rei.com/…/community-science-with-dlia-birding

Rocky Top BioBlitz
2023-10-12 09:00 - 15:00 | University of TN- in front of Ayres Hall, 1403 Circle Dr, Knoxville, Tennessee, 37916, United States
Join us on the University of TN campus for the Rocky Top BioBlitz—a biological survey focused on identifying as many species as possible in a defined area over a short period of time—from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, October 12. Look for our tent outside Ayres Hall.

During the Rocky Top BioBlitz, participants will walk around campus looking for any kind of life: birds, insects, plants, and even fungi. They will document what they find by taking pictures and uploading them to an app called iNaturalist. The app is available for both iOS and Android devices.

Make sure to download the iNaturalist app before the event!

Get the iNaturalist app.

Download the app. Log in. Try it out.

ANDROID

iOS
