Discover Life in America

Virtual Fireflies Event
2020-06-01 20:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York)
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

Cane Creek Canyon BioBlitz
2023-10-13 18:00 - 2023-10-14 12:00 | Cane Creek Canyon Nature Preserve, 251 Loop Rd, Tuscumbia, 35674, United States
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.

A 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.

Participants 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.

Event Website

Location: Cane Creek Canyon Nature Preserve – 251 Loop Rd, Tuscumbia, AL 35674

What 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.

Registration: 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.

Friday, October 13 from 6-10:00 PM

Sign-up

Saturday, October 14 from 8 AM – 12 PM

Sign-up

Winter Birding Blitz
2023-12-16 07:00 - 13:00
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!

We 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!

We 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.

For more details and to register for free, send an email to Jaimie Matzko at jaimie@dlia.org.

Meet at the Sugarlands Visitor Center in GSMNP. See google maps link below:

GSMNP Science Colloquium 2024
2024-03-07 09:00 - 16:00
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.

Recorded talks from the 2024 Colloquium are now up on YouTube! You can find them>>> here <<<

Location: Virtual via Zoom

Registration: 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.

Schedule 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.

2024 Schedule & Abstracts (PDF)

2023 recorded talks (YouTube)

2022 recorded talks (YouTube)

Information for presenters

Submit a talk

Call 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.

Important dates

Friday, 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

Week of February 5th – presenters will receive a tentative schedule and can OK their timeslot before the schedule is posted on this page

Week of February 19th – presenters will receive a Zoom Webinar invitation via email; meeting registration will be available here for non-presenter attendees

Helpful information

Conference 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.

Time 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.

Presentation 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).

Know 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.

Recording 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.

High Elevation Pollinator 'Blitz
2024-05-04 08:00 - 13:00
Questions? Email our volunteer coordinator, Jaimie Matzko, jaimie@dlia.org

Register Here

Get the iNaturalist app.

Download the app. Log in. Try it out.

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Cades Cove Firefly Survey
2024-06-24 19:00 - 23:00
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.

This 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.

Questions? Email our volunteer coordinator, Jaimie Matzko, jaimie@dlia.org

Registration is now full!

Get the iNaturalist app.

Download the app. Log in. Try it out.

ANDROID

iOS
