CONSERVATION ON TAP
2025-06-18 19:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | Schulz Bräu Brewing Company, 126 Bernard Ave, Knoxville, Tennessee, 37917, United States
CONSERVATION ON TAP

June 18, 7.00 p.m.

Schulz Bräu Brewing Company

Free!

Wildways: Linking Landscapes for Appalachian Wildlife

Dr. Liz Hillard, Senior Wildlife Biologist with Wildlands Network, will highlight regional research and collaborative efforts focused on protecting key habitat corridors, improving habitat through restoration and management, and ensuring safe passage for wildlife across roadways—so that the region’s rich biodiversity can continue to thrive.

Join us to support local conservation efforts and enjoy a wide selection of 20+ beers on-tap (and plenty of nonalcoholic beverages) and some authentic German fare from Schulz’s Schnitzel Kitchen!

Program offered by Discover Life in America, the official science partner of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. DLiA.org

Firefly ‘Blitz
2025-06-23 18:30 - 23:00
Join us in Cades Cove for a Firefly ‘Blitz on Monday, June 23! We’ll be going out to the cove before dusk to record firefly activity and identify species.

No experience necessary. We will be doing field studies, in the dark until 11 pm or later. We will be only be using flashlights covered with red cellophane or a red setting. Because of the extended time in the dark and data collection, this activity is not recommended for children under 14 years old.

Join us in Cades Cove for a Firefly ‘Blitz on Monday, June 23! We’ll be going out to the cove before dusk to record firefly activity and identify species.

No experience necessary. We will be doing field studies, in the dark until 11 pm or later. We will be only be using flashlights covered with red cellophane or a red setting. Because of the extended time in the dark and data collection, this activity is not recommended for children under 14 years old.

*This event is not affiliated with synchronous fireflies.

Registration is currently full, but check back for possible cancellations!

Hall Bend Trail Bioblitz
2025-07-11 19:00 - 22:00, 2025-07-12 08:00 - 11:00
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 Hall Bend Trail in Lenoir City, TN!

Two chances to ‘blitz!

Friday, July 11 from 7pm to 10pm Eastern: 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!

Saturday, July 12 from 8am to 11am Eastern: The morning is a great time to look for birds and we will continue to look for other flora and fauna throughout the morning!

REGISTER HERE

Where?

Hall Bend Trailhead

Lenoir City, TN 37771

Conservation on Tap
2025-07-16 17:30 - 19:30 | Schulz Bräu Brewing Company, 126 Bernard Ave, Knoxville, Tennessee, 37917, United States
CONSERVATION ON TAPWednesday, July 16 at 5:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m.Schulz Brau Brewing Co.

“Support Our Public Lands: Learn How to Help Parks, Forests, and the Places You Love”

Join us for this month’s Conservation on Tap event to show your support for our public lands!

This is a great opportunity to hear from and network with staff and volunteers from Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Discover Life in America, Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont, Harvey Broome Group of the Sierra Club, National Parks Conservation Association, Smokies Safe Passage, Smokies Life, Tennessee Citizens for Wilderness Planning, and The Wilderness Society. All the organizations are active in the region, working on a variety of issues and missions related to public lands, parks, wilderness areas, and their continued viability.

“We want to give people an opportunity to learn about what we all do, what’s helpful right now, and how people can directlysupport the public lands that they love,” said Jacqueline Harp, CEO of Smokies Life, a nonprofit partner of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

The evening will allow neighbors who may feel similarly about conservation to meet and converse.” Printed materials will be available for takeaway.

The free event takes place from 5:30–7:30 p.m., Wednesday, July 16, at Schulz Bräu Brewing Co., 126 Bernard Avenue in Knoxville. Speakers start at 6:00 p.m. with a brief Q&A period and social hour to follow.

A wide selection of beers will be available on-tap along with nonalcoholic beverages and authentic German fare from Schulz’s Schnitzel Kitchen.

A big thank you to National Parks Conservation Association and all of the other nonprofit organizations participating and co-hosting this event with DLiA!

Black Lighting for "Bugs"
2025-07-18 20:00 - 23:00
Black Lighting for “Bugs”…and other nocturnal insects!

When? July 18 from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Where? Bradley Fork Trailhead at Smokemont Campground

Description: 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!

Why use black lights?

Many 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.

We will be using the iNaturalist app, to take photos and share to the community science platform. No prior experience necessary!

Location:

Volunteer with DLiA

Volunteers 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!

Conservation on Tap
2025-08-20 19:00 - 20:00
Are You Bearwise?

Conservation on Tap

Wednesday, August 20, 7:00 pm-8:00 pm

Schulz Brau Brewing Company, Knoxville

FREE!

Join TWRA Bear Biologist Janelle Musser and others to learn more about BearWise®, a nationwide program that is helping people learn to live and recreate responsibly in bear country. Find out how BearWise projects help keep bears wild and people safe!

Proceeds from this event benefit Discover Life in America, the official science partner of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Visit DLiA.org to learn more.

Bumble Bee Atlas Field Training
2025-08-30 11:00 - 14:00
Bumble Bee Atlas Field Training

When? Saturday, August 30 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Where? Discover Life in America office 1316 Cherokee Orchard Rd Gatlinburg, TN 37738

Directions: 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.

Description: Join us to learn how you can participate in surveying bumble bees with Discover Life in America and the Xerces Society’s Southeast Bumble Bee Atlas! This is a hands-on field training session for anyone interested in conducting bumble bee surveys at specified sites within GSMNP during the month of September through the Xerces Society’s Southeast Bumble Bee Atlas.

Volunteer with DLiA

Volunteers 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.

Pollinator Survey at Purchase Knob
2025-09-10 10:00 - 14:00
Join 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.

We will be using the iNaturalist app, to take photos and share to the community science platform. No prior experience necessary!

We will also be conducting bumble bee survey to submit field data to Xerces Society’s Southeast Bumble Bee Atlas!

When? Wednesday, September 10 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Eastern

Where? Appalachian Highlands Learning Center at 107 Purchase Rd, Waynesville, NC 28785

Before the event:

Download iNaturalist to your phone (it’s free!) and follow prompts in the app to create an iNaturalist account

Conservation on Tap
2025-09-17 19:00 - 20:00 | Schulz Bräu Brewing Company, 126 Bernard Ave, Knoxville, Tennessee, 37917, United States
Conservation on Tap

The Birds of Seven Islands

Schulz Bräu Brewing Company

Join Park Ranger Clare Dattilo to learn more about the birds, birding opportunities, and bird research at everybody’s favorite Seven Islands State Park!

Proceeds from this event benefit Discover Life in America, the official science partner of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Visit DLiA.org to learn more.

Gall and Leaf Miner 'Blitz
2025-10-08 10:00 - 14:00
This event has been cancelled, but stay tuned for more ways to get involved with Discover Life in America!

Conservation on Tap
2025-10-15 19:00 - 20:00
Join us for our next Conservation on Tap featuring Andrew Gunnoe, President of the Little River Watershed Association (LRWA). Andrew will share insights into the vital work LRWA is doing to protect, preserve and enhance the Little River and its tributaries through conservation, education and recreation.

From improving water quality and restoring riparian habitats to engaging volunteers in hands-on conservation, LRWA plays a critical role in keeping this watershed healthy for both people and wildlife.

Come grab a drink, connect with fellow nature-lovers, and learn how you can get involved!

Conservation on Tap is a speaker series held every third Wednesday at Schulz Bräu Brewing Company and is hosted by Discover Life in America—science partner of Great Smoky Mountains National Park since 1998.

Conservation on Tap: Getting Started in Natural Resource Careers
2025-11-19 19:00 - 20:00
Conservation on TapWednesday, November 19, 7:00 p.m.

Getting Started in Natural Resource CareersSchulz Bräu Brewing Company, KnoxvilleFREE!

Join Kayla Stuart of Job Corps to learn about nontraditional routes to a career in natural resources. Kayla specializes in helping people overcome perceived barriers to rewarding careers in parks and other natural areas.

Sponsored by Discover Life in America and Schulz Bräu Brewing Company.

Conservation on Tap
2025-12-17 19:00 - 20:30
Conservation on TapWed. December 17 at 7 p.m.Schulz Bräu Brewing Company

Saving Our National Parks

Join us this month’s Conservation on Tap for a special event featuring award-winning local author, former park ranger and dedicated DLiA Board Member, Steve Kemp, for a special conversation on the extraordinary partnership that helped protect America’s most iconic natural treasures. Kemp will share insights from his newly published book, An Exaltation of Parks: John D. Rockefeller Jr.’s Crusade to Save America’s Wonderlands, which uncovers how Rockefeller—working alongside National Park Service visionaries Stephen Mather, Horace Albright, and Arno Cammerer—shaped the national park system we know today.

At a time when America’s national parks face mounting visitation pressures and under-resourced management, this story of bold conservation philanthropy and collaboration offers lessons and inspiration for the challenges ahead.

Grab a beer, meet fellow conservation enthusiasts, and enjoy an evening of storytelling, history, and hope for the future of our public lands.

Discover Life in America hosts the Conservation on Tap speaker series every third Wednesday, monthly. Check back for updates on the next presenter on dlia.org/events.
