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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220819T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220819T150000
DTSTAMP:20220315T184443Z
CREATED:20220315T184426Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220315T184443Z
UID:5578-1660914000-1660921200@dlia.org
SUMMARY:Science at Sugarlands: Nematodes
DESCRIPTION:The fascinating world of nematodes\n\n\n\nTom Powers\, University of Nebraska-Lincoln\n\n\n\nLargely 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. \n\n\n\nVisit our main Science at Sugarlands page to for more information\, registration for this free virtual talk\, and recordings of past Science at Sugarlands presentations. \n\n\n\n// Cover photo: A nematode under the microscope. Photo by DLiA
URL:https://dlia.org/event/science-at-sugarlands-nematodes/
CATEGORIES:Education,Kid Friendly,Science,Science at Sugarlands
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://dlia.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/nematode1-smz1x8x.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20220916T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20220916T150000
DTSTAMP:20220315T181410Z
CREATED:20220315T181405Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220315T181410Z
UID:5579-1663333200-1663340400@dlia.org
SUMMARY:Science at Sugarlands: Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage
DESCRIPTION:The Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage: 72 years of public education in the Smokies\n\n\n\nJoey Shaw\, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga\n\n\n\nThe 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. \n\n\n\nVisit our main Science at Sugarlands page to for more information\, registration for this free virtual talk\, and recordings of past Science at Sugarlands presentations. \n\n\n\n// Cover photo: trout lily and spring beauty by Will Kuhn
URL:https://dlia.org/event/science-at-sugarlands-spring-wildflower-pilgrimage/
CATEGORIES:Education,Kid Friendly,Science,Science at Sugarlands
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://dlia.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/trout_lily_keepbig.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20221015T010000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20221015T140000
DTSTAMP:20220919T204352Z
CREATED:20220919T161124Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220919T204352Z
UID:5873-1665795600-1665842400@dlia.org
SUMMARY:REI Co-op Class Series: Smokies Most Wanted
DESCRIPTION:October 15th at 1pmSmokies Most Wanted: Community Science for the Whole Family \n\n\n\nAre 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.) \n\n\n\nRegister here for October 15th:https://www.rei.com/…/smokies-most-wanted…/318156
URL:https://dlia.org/event/rei-oct2022/
LOCATION:REI Co-op Pigeon Forge\, 2655 Teaster Ln Suite 310\, Pigeon Forge\, Tennessee\, 37863\, United States
CATEGORIES:Education,Workshop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://dlia.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Writing-text-as-an-example-Presentation-169-Instagram-Post-Square-1.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20221021T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20221021T150000
DTSTAMP:20220315T180219Z
CREATED:20220315T180213Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220315T180219Z
UID:5580-1666357200-1666364400@dlia.org
SUMMARY:Science at Sugarlands: Monarchs
DESCRIPTION:Tremont’s monarch monitoring program in Cades Cove\n\n\n\nErin Canter\, Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont\n\n\n\nErin 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. \n\n\n\nVisit our main Science at Sugarlands page to for more information\, registration for this free virtual talk\, and recordings of past Science at Sugarlands presentations. \n\n\n\n// Cover photo: monarch butterfly on Queen Anne’s lace by Will Kuhn
URL:https://dlia.org/event/science-at-sugarlands-monarchs/
CATEGORIES:Education,Kid Friendly,Science,Science at Sugarlands
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://dlia.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/20210910_102404_-1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20221119T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20221119T140000
DTSTAMP:20220919T165250Z
CREATED:20220919T165245Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220919T165250Z
UID:5876-1668862800-1668866400@dlia.org
SUMMARY:REI Co-op Class Series: Smokies Most Wanted
DESCRIPTION: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
URL:https://dlia.org/event/rei-nov2022/
LOCATION:REI Co-op Pigeon Forge\, 2655 Teaster Ln Suite 310\, Pigeon Forge\, Tennessee\, 37863\, United States
CATEGORIES:Education,Workshop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://dlia.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Writing-text-as-an-example-Presentation-169-Instagram-Post-Square-1.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20231005T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20231005T180000
DTSTAMP:20230926T190347Z
CREATED:20230926T190346Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230926T190347Z
UID:7274-1696528800-1696528800@dlia.org
SUMMARY:Community Science Class Series: Birding
DESCRIPTION: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! \n\n\n\nRegister for this free class here: https://www.rei.com/…/community-science-with-dlia-birding
URL:https://dlia.org/event/community-science-class-series-birding/
LOCATION:REI Co-op Pigeon Forge\, 2655 Teaster Ln Suite 310\, Pigeon Forge\, Tennessee\, 37863\, United States
CATEGORIES:Education
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://dlia.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/D35D6632-59A1-4C01-82EF-A16883787E79.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20231012T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20231012T150000
DTSTAMP:20231006T143040Z
CREATED:20230926T183413Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20231006T143040Z
UID:7267-1697101200-1697122800@dlia.org
SUMMARY:Rocky Top BioBlitz
DESCRIPTION: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. \n\n\n\nDuring 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. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMake sure to download the iNaturalist app before the event! \n\n\n\n\nGet the iNaturalist app.\n\n\n\nDownload the app. Log in. Try it out. \n\n\n\n\nANDROID\n\n\n\niOS
URL:https://dlia.org/event/rocky-top-bioblitz/
LOCATION:University of TN- in front of Ayres Hall\, 1403 Circle Dr\, Knoxville\, Tennessee\, 37916\, United States
CATEGORIES:Bioblitz,Education,Science,Volunteer
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20231013T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20231014T120000
DTSTAMP:20231006T155442Z
CREATED:20230926T192133Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20231006T155442Z
UID:7281-1697220000-1697284800@dlia.org
SUMMARY:Cane Creek Canyon BioBlitz
DESCRIPTION:Land Trust of North Alabama will host a Cane Creek Canyon Nature Preserve BioBlitz conducted by Discover Life in America (DLiA)\, a nonprofit organization out of Tennessee that specializes in biodiversity inventory and conservation\, and the Tennessee Valley Authority.  \n\n\n\nA BioBlitz is a citizen science event where participants learn about the plants and animals in a specific place as they look for and document them for research purposes\, and we’d like to invite you to be a part of ours!  This event is for both newbies and experts as well as amateurs and professionals in the various fields of natural science. \n\n\n\nParticipants will move through the southern part of the preserve using the iNaturalist app to document observed flora and fauna. There will also be short presentations on a variety of natural science topics conducted by DLiA as well as the Land Trust\, Cane Creek Canyon Nature Preserve regulars\, and possibly students and faculty from University of North Alabama. These same people will serve as subject matter experts as participants document their findings. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nEvent Website\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLocation: Cane Creek Canyon Nature Preserve – 251 Loop Rd\, Tuscumbia\, AL 35674 \n\n\n\nWhat to Wear/Bring: Dress appropriately for the weather. This is a rain or shine event\, though thunderstorms will cause cancelation. Set up your iNaturalist account in advance. Please note\, there is limited (or no) cell service at the preserve. \n\n\n\nRegistration: Please register to join the bioblitz. You can sign up to attend one or both days. Please register for each day you plan to participate. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFriday\, October 13 from 6-10:00 PM \n\n\n\n\nSign-up\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSaturday\, October 14 from 8 AM – 12 PM \n\n\n\n\nSign-up
URL:https://dlia.org/event/cane-creek-canyon-bioblitz/
LOCATION:Cane Creek Canyon Nature Preserve\, 251 Loop Rd\, Tuscumbia\, 35674\, United States
CATEGORIES:Bioblitz,Education,Kid Friendly,Science,Volunteer
ORGANIZER;CN="Land Trust of North Alabama":MAILTO:questions@landtrustnal.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20231216T070000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20231216T130000
DTSTAMP:20231121T212050Z
CREATED:20231116T160040Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20231121T212050Z
UID:7402-1702710000-1702731600@dlia.org
SUMMARY:Winter Birding Blitz
DESCRIPTION:Join us for a Winter Birding Blitz in Great Smoky Mountains National Park on Saturday\, December 16th from 7am to 1pm. This is a free and family friendly event! \n\n\n\nWe will be looking and listening for bird activity in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and documenting what we find! This is a great opportunity to do some community science and learn something new! \n\n\n\nWe will use the free iNaturalist and Merlin Bird ID apps to record our findings\, so it’s helpful to download the apps and create accounts\, prior to the event. \n\n\n\nFor more details and to register for free\, send an email to Jaimie Matzko at jaimie@dlia.org. \n\n\n\n\n\nMeet at the Sugarlands Visitor Center in GSMNP. See google maps link below:
URL:https://dlia.org/event/winter-birding-blitz/
CATEGORIES:Education,Volunteer
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240307T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240307T160000
DTSTAMP:20240327T160712Z
CREATED:20240119T160551Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240327T160712Z
UID:7634-1709802000-1709827200@dlia.org
SUMMARY:GSMNP Science Colloquium 2024
DESCRIPTION:Tune into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park 2024 Science Colloquium\, presented by GSMNP and DLiA! Learn about a wide variety of scientific topics\, new species of cave spiders and dusky salamanders\, to wetlands along the Foothills Parkway\, strategic use of social media to reduce overcrowding\, and lots more\, all from researchers working in the Smokies. All are welcome! Registration is free and open to the public. \n\n\n\nRecorded talks from the 2024 Colloquium are now up on YouTube! You can find them>>> here <<< \n\n\n\nLocation: Virtual via Zoom \n\n\n\nRegistration: Registration is free! Just follow the link below. You’ll receive a Zoom link over email that you can use to view the Colloquium on March 7th. The audience will also be able to ask questions of the speakers following their talks. Speakers DO NOT need to register and will receive Zoom link via email. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSchedule and abstracts: The schedule below and the linked PDF will be updated with any changes to talk times or talk information. Check back for the most up-to-date version. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n2024 Schedule & Abstracts (PDF)\n\n\n\n2023 recorded talks (YouTube)\n\n\n\n2022 recorded talks (YouTube)\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nInformation for presenters\n\n\n\nSubmit a talk\n\n\n\nCall for submissions: We welcome you to submit a presentation 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. Paul Super will be contacting potential presenters via email about submitting a presentation. \n\n\n\nImportant dates\n\n\n\n\nFriday\, February 2nd – deadline to submit talk information to Paul Super (paul_super@nps.gov): (1) final title\, (2) abstract\, and (3) names and affiliations of the presenter and co-authors\n\n\n\nWeek of February 5th – presenters will receive a tentative schedule and can OK their timeslot before the schedule is posted on this page\n\n\n\nWeek of February 19th – presenters will receive a Zoom Webinar invitation via email; meeting registration will be available here for non-presenter attendees\n\n\n\n\nHelpful information\n\n\n\nConference format: The Colloquium will be held virtually via Zoom’s Webinar platform. Presenters will be set as “panelists” on the Webinar\, meaning that they can do most of the normal functions of a Zoom Meeting (share video\, audio\, and screen). Audience members will be able to ask questions and we will help manage questions. We’ll send presenters more information about what to expect closer to the colloquium. \n\n\n\nTime slots: Presentation slots will be around 20 minutes (including time for questions). We will send you a finalized schedule close to the event and will provide more details about the Q&A after each talk. \n\n\n\nPresentation format: Slide decks can be in any format (speakers will share their screen via Zoom)\, however we recommend PowerPoint\, PDF\, Google Slides or Keynote in wide-format (16:9). \n\n\n\nKnow your audience: 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. \n\n\n\nRecording presentations: We plan to record presentations and upload them publicly to our YouTube channel as we’ve done the past few years (view last year’s recordings). Please let Paul Super know if you DO NOT want your presentation to be recorded.
URL:https://dlia.org/event/colloquium-2024/
CATEGORIES:Education,Science
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://dlia.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/colloquium-2024-featured-image.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240504T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240504T130000
DTSTAMP:20240503T141018Z
CREATED:20240319T173425Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240503T141018Z
UID:7912-1714809600-1714827600@dlia.org
SUMMARY:High Elevation Pollinator 'Blitz
DESCRIPTION:Questions? Email our volunteer coordinator\, Jaimie Matzko\, jaimie@dlia.org \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRegister Here\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nGet the iNaturalist app.\n\n\n\nDownload the app. Log in. Try it out. \n\n\n\n\nANDROID\n\n\n\niOS
URL:https://dlia.org/event/high-elevation-pollinator-blitz/
CATEGORIES:Bioblitz,Education,Science,Volunteer
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240624T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240624T230000
DTSTAMP:20240411T180118Z
CREATED:20240319T163627Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240411T180118Z
UID:7898-1719255600-1719270000@dlia.org
SUMMARY:Cades Cove Firefly Survey
DESCRIPTION:Join us to survey fireflies in Cades Cove on June 24th from 7pm to 11pm EST\, meeting at the Cades Cove Ranger Station.  There are 19 species of fireflies in Great Smoky Mountains National Park! Volunteers will assist DLiA staff document firefly species in Cades Cove for the Smokies All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory.  \n\n\n\nThis event will require volunteers to walk/hike through the fields in Cades Cove\, after dark. No flashlights will be used when documenting and recording activity. No prior experience is required and families are welcome\, although this volunteer activity is not recommended for children under the age of 14.  \n\n\n\nQuestions? Email our volunteer coordinator\, Jaimie Matzko\, jaimie@dlia.org \n\n\n\nRegistration is now full! \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nGet the iNaturalist app.\n\n\n\nDownload the app. Log in. Try it out. \n\n\n\n\nANDROID\n\n\n\niOS
URL:https://dlia.org/event/cades-cove-firefly-survey/
CATEGORIES:Bioblitz,Education,Science,Volunteer
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20241016T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20241016T150000
DTSTAMP:20240927T193616Z
CREATED:20240805T204810Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240927T193616Z
UID:8108-1729072800-1729090800@dlia.org
SUMMARY:Continental MycoBlitz
DESCRIPTION:Want to learn more about mushrooms and fungi in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and participate in community science? \n\n\n\nJoin us on Wednesday\, October 16 to participate in a “MycoBlitz” to document and collect fungi for DNA sequencing for the Smokies All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory and the Fall North America Continental MycoBlitz! \n\n\n\nRegister on our website: dlia.org/volunteering \n\n\n\nQuestions? Email our volunteer coordinator\, Jaimie Matzko\, jaimie@dlia.org \n\n\n\n\nRegister Here\n\n\n\n\nWhere? 1316 Cherokee Orchard Road\, Gatlinburg TN 37738 \n\n\n\nDiscover Life in America office at Twin Creeks (see google map directions below)
URL:https://dlia.org/event/continental-mycoblitz/
LOCATION:Information Kiosk Parking
CATEGORIES:Bioblitz,Education,Volunteer
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://dlia.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/FB-Bioblitzes-8.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20241027T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20241029T160000
DTSTAMP:20241001T134009Z
CREATED:20231121T165551Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241001T134009Z
UID:7427-1730030400-1730217600@dlia.org
SUMMARY:Great Smokies Eco-Adventure: Oct 27-29
DESCRIPTION:Mark your calendar for an immersive Smokies experience like none other! Spend your days exploring the wilds of Great Smoky Mountains National Park and your nights glamorously camping off the grid. DLiA and partner A Walk in the Woods bring you a 3-day\, 2-night adventure\, with expert-led nature hikes\, camping in a luxurious off-grid setting\, mouth-watering\, 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. \n\n\n\nA Walk in the Woods has generously provided access to Camp Atagahi\, their staff\, and their Smokies expertise to make this event really shine! \n\n\n\nDLiA’s Will\, Jaimie\, and Todd will be your guides for the duration of the Eco-Adventure. They’re excited to be your gracious hosts and share their expert knowledge of the natural and cultural history of the Smokies! \n\n\n\nThe Great Smokies Eco-Adventure is a truly unique experience! \n\n\n\n🍁 Guided nature hikes in Great Smoky Mountains National Park\, including a section of the famous Appalachian Trail (AT). \n\n\n\n🔦 Guided night hike to look for nocturnal creatures using a bat detector and UV flashlights. \n\n\n\n🔥 Evening campfires to share stories and s’mores. \n\n\n\n🍴 Locally-sourced meals (vegan and gluten-free alternatives available) signature cocktails\, mocktails\, beer and wine included. \n\n\n\n⛺ Cozy camping accommodations\, including spacious tents with cots and mattresses and a bath house with hot showers and flush toilets. \n\n\n\n\nPurchase Tickets\n\n\n\n\nYo\n\n\n\n\n\nFounded in 2010\, Ole Smoky Distillery is the leading craft distiller in the U.S. and the first federally licensed distillery in the history of East Tennessee. At the fall Eco-Adventure\, the company will provide Harvest Ginger signature cocktails featuring its award-winning Apple Pie Moonshine as well as a non-alcoholic mocktailoption. Learn more at olesmoky.com \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCamp Atagahi\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe 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! \n\n\n\nAll meals are included with your ticket price\, prepared on site with local produce\, cheeses\, and other ingredients. Vegan and vegetarian options are available. Beer and wine are also provided as well as soft drinks of your choice. (We’ll inquire about your dietary restrictions and beverage choices close to the event.)Guided hikes in the Smokies \n\n\n\n\n\nCamp Atagahi is A Walk in the Woods’ premiere off-grid camping facility located in a small valley just north of the National Park boundary between Pitman Center and Cosby\, Tennessee. It features a well-stocked off-grid commercial kitchen and excellent bathroom facility with running water\, flush toilets\, and hot showers. Guests are lulled to sleep at night by the babbling creek that flows through camp. Tents are spacious\, mounted on wooden platforms\, and feature a covered “front porch” area where you can sit and enjoy a glass of wine\, listening to the sounds of nature. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nGuided Hikes in the Smokies\n\n\n\n\n\nThe Fall Smokies Eco-Adventure features guided hikes during peak leaf foliage season in Great Smoky Mountains National Park (a short drive from Camp Atagahi). We’ll keep it slow and easy-going\, with lots of stops to admire and talk about the Smokies’ incredible biodiversity\, including native trees\, pollinating insects\, birds\, and more. We’ll also share our expert knowledge of the cultural history of the landscape. \n\n\n\nOur one-of-a-kind hikes will leave you with a new appreciation for the incredible variety of life in the Smokies region and they’re really fun\, too! \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nEco-Adventure Itinerary \n\n\n\nSunday\, October 27: Guests will meet at the DLiA office at noon and enjoy light snacks and introductions. We’ll go on guided hike led by DLiA staff on the Twin Creeks Trail (Total trail mileage under 2 miles)  In the late afternoon\, we’ll get load up our gear and get transported to A Walk in the Woods’ private off-grid camp located near Cosby and settle into our not-too-rustic glamping accommodations. We’ll have drinks and a wholesome dinner and finish off with s’mores around a campfire.  \n\n\n\nMonday\, October 28:  We’ll have locally-sourced coffee and a hot breakfast at camp and pack sack lunches. We’ll then head to the Greenbrier area in GSMNP on our hike to Fern Branch Falls on the Porter’s Creek trail. This hike is 4 miles round-trip and is considered moderate. We’ll arrive back at camp by late afternoon and enjoy southern fixins’ around the campfire. If you’re up for it\, we’ll go for a night hike at the camp to look for nocturnal critters.  \n\n\n\nTuesday\, October 29: We’ll start with a hot breakfast\, pack sack lunches\, and pack up our gear.  If the conditions and views are favorable\, we head up to the high elevations in the park for a hike on the infamous Appalachian Trail (AT). We’ll finish up around 4 pm. We’ll say our goodbyes and guests will depart. \n\n\n\n Please note: The itinerary may change due to weather conditions\, park closures or at the discretion of DLIA. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPurchase Tickets\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nTickets: $950 per person\n\n\n\nYour ticket purchase supports Discover Life in America (a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization)\, helping us continue our work as a partner of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Tickets are $950 per person\, which includes accommodations\, food and alcohol\, as well as expert-guided nature hikes. \n\n\n\nPricing is based on double occupancy of tents\, so if you are traveling alone\, you may be assigned to share a tent with someone of the same gender. \n\n\n\nREGISTRATION CLOSES: Oct 1st\, 2024 \n\n\n\nCANCELLATION POLICY: Full payment is due upon ticket purchase. If you decide to cancel your spot\, we will refund your ticket only if we are able to sell your ticket. No refunds will be given after registration closes on October 1.  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWhat will your ticket purchase support\n\n\n\n\nBiodiversity research in the Smokies\n\n\n\nOur biology interships…\n\n\n\n…and photo/videography internships\n\n\n\nBiodiversity education\n\n\n\nPublic engagement through community science\n\n\n\nConservation of creatures great and small in the Smokies\n\n\n\n\nSpecifically\, you’ll help support\n\n\n\n\nResearch with the All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory\, aimed at cataloging\, understanding\, and ultimately conserving the 21\,000+ species that call the Smokies home.\n\n\n\nour world-class summer internship program\, where we train the next generation of scientists and nature advocates through an immersive experience in the Smokies.\n\n\n\nour educational programming in and around Great Smoky Mountains NP\, fostering nature literacy among our community ( iScience and Smokies Most Wanted)\n\n\n\nand much more!\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nELECTRICITY AND CELL SERVICE: There is no electricity at Camp Atagahi other than a battery pack that you may use to charge your phone. There is little to no cell reception at the Camp and in the National Park. Please plan accordingly. If you use a CPAP machine to sleep\, you may consider purchasing an appropriate battery pack to power that device during the event. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFAQs\n\n\n\nQ. What is the expected weather? \n\n\n\nOctober in the Smokies is usually mild\, with daytime temperatures reaching the 50s and 60s\, and nighttime sometimes approaching the freezing mark. It’s best to wear layers that you can shed if it’s warm or pile on for those cool nights. But this of course varies from year to year. The region does receive lots of rain (which fuels the growth of all those wildflowers)\, so be sure to pack a rain jacket or poncho. \n\n\n\nQ. How many people will be in attendance? \n\n\n\nSpace is limited to 15 attendees at the eco-camp where we’ll be staying (2 people per tent with 10 tents). This is a nice group size that permits lots of one-on-one interaction with your guides. \n\n\n\nQ. If don’t consider myself a serious hiker\, will I be able to keep up? \n\n\n\nOur hikes are very much tailored to the abilities and interests of the group and generally follow a leisurely pace as we stop and look at insects\, mushrooms\, and lots of other sights to see. As long as you are able to walk around 4 miles over several hours\, you should be fine. \n\n\n\nQ. If I come to the Eco-Adventure alone\, will I have to share a tent? \n\n\n\nThe ticket price for this event is based on double occupancy\, so expect that singletons may be paired with another same-gender singleton. This is a fantastic opportunity to meet a fellow nature lover and future friend! \n\n\n\nQ. What is included in the ticket price? \n\n\n\nThe ticket price includes all accommodations\, food (including vegetarian and vegan options)\, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages\, and expert-led hikes from noon Sunday through Tuesday afternoon. \n\n\n\nQ. What do I need to bring? \n\n\n\nPlease bring a sleeping bag\, towel\, day pack and wear sturdy hiking shoes\, rain gear and cool weather clothing. Tents\, cots\, sleeping pads\, and other basics are all provided. You can find a full list of required and recommended items above on this page. Attendees will receive additional information via email prior to the event. \n\n\n\nQ. Will there be electricity or cell service at the camp? \n\n\n\nCamp Atagahi does not have grid electricity and there is little to no cell signal in the area. We will provide a battery back that you can use to charge your cell phone and other small electronics. Though\, The Eco-Adventure is an opportunity to escape from the busy world and enjoy some screen-free time in nature! \n\n\n\nQ. If I have any other questions\, who should I contact? \n\n\n\nPlease contact DLiA’s Biodiversity Program Specialist\, Jaimie Matzko\, at jaimie@dlia.org and she’ll be happy to answer your questions about the Eco-Adventure or visit dlia.org.
URL:https://dlia.org/event/fall-adventure-2024/
CATEGORIES:Education,Fun,Fundraiser
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://dlia.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Great-Smokies-Eco-Adventure-Sunday-April-29th-May-2nd-5.png
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250306T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250306T160000
DTSTAMP:20250625T221209Z
CREATED:20250114T170504Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250625T221209Z
UID:8566-1741251600-1741276800@dlia.org
SUMMARY:2025 Park Science Colloquium
DESCRIPTION:This annual symposium showcases the research happening in and around the Great Smoky Mountains. Topics are wide-ranging\, from weather and climate to zoology\, botany\, geology\, conservation\, and more! Talks are meant to be engaging to a broad audience and recorded to YouTube. All are welcome to attend this free virtual event! Register at the link below to receive a Zoom link. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n2025 Line-Up\n\n\n\nHere’s the most up-to-date version of the 2025 schedule and abstracts. \n\n\n\n2025 Colloquium schedule & abstracts v4Download\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRegistration: Registration is free! Register here to receive a Zoom link over email. Audience members will have the opportunity to ask questions after each talk. Speakers DO NOT need to register. You’ll receive a Zoom link via email. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCheck out talks from previous years\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nInformation for presenters\n\n\n\nConference format: The Colloquium will be held virtually via Zoom’s Webinar platform. Presenters will be set as “panelists” on the Webinar\, meaning that they can do most of the normal functions of a Zoom Meeting (share video\, audio\, and screen). Audience members will be able to ask questions and we will help manage questions. We’ll send presenters more information about what to expect closer to the colloquium. \n\n\n\nTime slots: Presentation slots will be around 20 minutes (including time for questions). We will send you a finalized schedule close to the event and will provide more details about the Q&A after each talk. \n\n\n\nPresentation format: Slide decks can be in any format (speakers will share their screen via Zoom)\, however we recommend PowerPoint\, PDF\, Google Slides or Keynote in wide-format (16:9). \n\n\n\nKnow your audience: 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. \n\n\n\nRecording presentations: We plan to record presentations and upload them publicly to our YouTube channel as we’ve done the past few years.
URL:https://dlia.org/event/colloquium-2025/
CATEGORIES:Education,Science
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://dlia.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Science-Colloquium-2.png
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250417T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250417T140000
DTSTAMP:20250304T190848Z
CREATED:20250226T222350Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250304T190848Z
UID:8713-1744884000-1744898400@dlia.org
SUMMARY:Pollinator 'Blitz
DESCRIPTION:Pollinator ‘Blitz \n\n\n\nJoin us to document pollinators and the host plants and wildflowers they are visiting! There is so much more to learn about pollinators and their vital role in the ecosystems of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  \n\n\n\nWe will be using the  iNaturalist app\, to take photos and share to the community science platform. No prior experience necessary! \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRegister\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWhen? Thursday\, April 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. \n\n\n\nWhere? Discover Life in America office 1316 Cherokee Orchard Rd Gatlinburg\, TN 37738 \n\n\n\nDirections: from Cherokee Orchard Road\, turn right into the Twin Creeks complex and continue on the road past the Twin Creeks Science Center and the road that goes to the pavilion until you see our little cabin and the Discover Life in America sign.
URL:https://dlia.org/event/pollinator-blitz/
CATEGORIES:Education,Volunteer,Volunteer 2025
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://dlia.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Black-horned-smoothtail-Epistrophe-grossulariae-on-Symphyotrichum-Will-Kuhn_.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250516T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250516T220000
DTSTAMP:20250109T181055Z
CREATED:20250109T180416Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250109T181055Z
UID:8552-1747422000-1747432800@dlia.org
SUMMARY:Little Cedar Mountain BioBlitz
DESCRIPTION: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 Little Cedar Mountain in Jasper\, TN. \n\n\n\nTwo chances to ‘blitz!\n\n\n\nFriday\, May 16\, 7pm to 10pm Central: Join us for an evening of discoveries…we will continue in the dark\, as we will set up a black light to monitor insect populations! \n\n\n\nSaturday\, May 17\, 8am to 11am Central: The morning is a great time to look for birds and we will continue to look for other flora and fauna throughout the morning! \n\n\n\n\nREGISTER HERE\n\n\n\n\nWhere? \n\n\n\nTVA’s Little Cedar Mountain Trail in Jasper\, TN \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWhat’s a bioblitz? \n\n\n\nDuring a bioblitz\, volunteers help document as many kinds of animals\, plants\, and other organisms as we can find in a specific area. 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. We will be walking the trails\, looking for bugs\, flowers\, salamanders\, and other living organisms. We’ll photograph them with our phones and post pictures to our iNaturalist project. We’ll have experts on hand to guide small groups point out interesting facts about the organisms we see\, and teach you how to use the iNaturalist app. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWhat will we be doing?\n\n\n\nWalking the trails\, looking for bugs\, flowers\, salamanders\, 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 experts on hand to guide small groups around the trail and point out interesting facts about the organisms we see. \n\n\n\nAfterward you can see what kind of organisms we found by visiting the project on iNaturalist\, which will be left up indefinitely. We encourage you to revisit the Loyston Point trails 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. \n\n\n\nBefore the event\n\n\n\n\nDownload iNaturalist to your phone (it’s free!)\n\n\n\nFollow prompts in the app to create an iNaturalist account\n\n\n\nBring water and some snacks (we’ll also provide water)\n\n\n\nWear weather-appropriate clothing and sturdy shoes for hiking\n\n\n\n\n\nGet the iNaturalist app.\n\n\n\nDownload the app. Log in. Try it out. \n\n\n\n\nANDROID\n\n\n\niOS
URL:https://dlia.org/event/little-cedar-mtn-1/
CATEGORIES:Bioblitz,Education,Fun,Kid Friendly
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://dlia.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Copy-of-What-is-a-Bioblitz-2.png
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250718T200000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250718T230000
DTSTAMP:20250418T193016Z
CREATED:20250410T135701Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250418T193016Z
UID:8969-1752868800-1752879600@dlia.org
SUMMARY:Black Lighting for "Bugs"
DESCRIPTION:Black Lighting for “Bugs”…and other nocturnal insects! \n\n\n\nWhen? July 18 from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. \n\n\n\nWhere? Bradley Fork Trailhead at Smokemont Campground \n\n\n\nDescription: Join us to help document nocturnal life in Great Smoky Mountains National Park! We will also spend time at dusk using a bat detector to monitor for bat activity in the area! We will also spend time at dusk using a bat detector to monitor for bat activity in the area! \n\n\n\nWhy use black lights? \n\n\n\nMany insects can see ultraviolet light\, which has shorter wavelengths than light visible to the human eye. For this reason\, a black light will attract different insects than a regular incandescent light.  \n\n\n\nWe will be using the  iNaturalist app\, to take photos and share to the community science platform. No prior experience necessary! \n\n\n\nLocation:  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nVolunteer with DLiA \n\n\n\nVolunteers have contributed significantly to the success of the All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory (ATBI) since we began\, through field work\, education and outreach\, and financial support. DLiA could not continue to function without the help of our dedicated volunteers and supporters. Thank you!
URL:https://dlia.org/event/black-lighting-for-bugs/
CATEGORIES:Bioblitz,Education,Kid Friendly,Volunteer,Volunteer 2025
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