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!

Why volunteer for DLiA?

  • Work in a fun, friendly, small nonprofit environment
  • Be part of the largest on-going science project in the Smokies
  • Gain new skills related to scientific fieldwork and research
  • Meet with Park personnel, local business owners, and scientists
  • Make new friends!

We owe our volunteers a very special thank you for their donation of time, effort, and support to DLiA and the success of the Smokies ATBI.

What is Community Science?

Most of our volunteer opportunities include participating in community science. Community Science is is scientific work undertaken by members of the general public collecting data that is available to the public. It is often done in collaboration with or under the direction of professional scientists and scientific institutions.

Questions? Email DLiA Director of Communications and Outreach, Jaimie Matzko, jaimie@dlia.org

2025 Volunteer Events

Frog Monitoring in Cades Cove

Saturday, March 1 from 4:30 to 8:30pm

We’ll be working with experts from the Amphibian and Reptile Conservancy (arcprotects.org), University of TN and Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont (gsmit.org) to document any frogs and salamanders we see, calls we hear and egg masses we find!

Register

Pollinator ‘Blitz

April 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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!

Register

Get Involved

  • Always needed: Use the iNaturalist app to gather valuable scientific data about species in the park through our Smokies Most Wanted project
  • Attend one of our events
  • Are you a teacher (grade 5-8) in Tennessee or a surrounding state? Participate in our iScience program
  • Make a donation to support our work