WhAtEvER - Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont
Transcription
WhAtEvER - Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont
The newsletter of Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont • Spring 2008 = Wh atev er By Alicia Hunsberger Cherokee Bend Elementary Takes I t is refreshing to attend Tremont each year with students from Cherokee Bend. We all get excited about traveling to the Great Smoky Mountains to experience the outdoor classroom. Every year brings both mystery and challenge as we plan together for months prior to taking the infamous trip. Glenn Rice, our fearless leader and social studies teacher, along with the other fifth grade teachers coordinate with the Tremont staff to ensure an experience for the kids that is both meaningful and memorable. As a special educator, I greatly value the Tremont staff—their expertise and their willingness to make every effort to include all children in an outdoor learning experience that is monumental. % This year was particularly interesting because we had plans to take two students with significant physical handicaps. Our adaptive physical education teacher, Keri Petrofsky, offered her expertise in disabilities to ensure safety and fun for all kids participating. In addition to their sleeping bags, extra tennis shoes, warm clothes, and flashlights, Ward Webb and Will Kirkpatrick were packing multiple wheelchairs, shower chairs, and prosthetic legs. continued on page 3 Alicia Hunsberger It Taking After a River Otter We don’t know who had more fun, the students or the instructor! By Amber Parker, Education Director By Jen Martin, Senior Teacher/Naturalist T discussions and found students planning and presenting several team programs. Along the way we played Interpretive Taboo, found out that John could REALLY sing, overcame stage fright, held a very creative campfire (during which the Scat Rap featured prominently), and taught some By Jason Love, Citizen Science Director F D o you remember when you were a kid, walking past a mud puddle or waking up to a good snow, and having that uncontrollable urge to jump in it? Maybe you still have that urge, but as adults we sometimes try to refrain from acting completely ridiculous. Kent Jones Bonny Millard he first class of the new Southern Appalachian Naturalist Certification Program was a weekend full of great achievements, excellent companionship, and a whole lot of fun. Participants from several states and ranging in age from 16 to (well, we didn’t ask) were incredibly enthusiastic and open to new Tremont Congratulates 2007 Outstanding Educator and Outstanding Scientist for Biodiversity Education The inaugural class of the Southern Appalachian Naturalist Certification Program. experiences. The class topics, Interpretation and Naturalist Skills, covered the principles of teaching a variety of topics to a wide range of ages in outdoor and/or non-classroom settings. Over the course of the weekend, students learned the history of interpretation, the tools of a naturalist, program planning techniques, and group management skills. The participatory nature of the class created great group amazing final group programs. For the final programs teams chose topics such as lichens, decomposition, hiking 101, winter tree ID, and nature journaling. The quality of their programs coupled with dynamic peer review sessions brought the weekend to a satisfying conclusion and had students planning their next adventure in the Naturalist Certification Program. River otters, on the other hand, don’t have a problem with showing their inner child. In fact, it seems like they play most of the day. We have had numerous river otter sightings along the Middle Prong of the Little River in the past couple of months. It is so enjoyable to watch their sleek furry bodies gliding in and out of the water, and just loving life. River otters aren’t very big, only about 3-4 feet long, and they may weigh up to 25 pounds. They eat fish, crayfish, insects, and frogs, and only need to spend a small part of the day looking for food. Which leaves a majority of the day for… playing! However, a river otter’s life has not always been all fun and games. During the creation of Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the 1930s, otters had nearly been eliminated from east Tennessee due to uncontrolled trapping. The National Park Service began the otter reintroduction program in 1986, and since then over 100 otters have been released in the park. They are doing well in a protected habitat like the Smokies, but are still classified as a threatened species in Tennessee. Fortunately some of the school students that come to Tremont have had the opportunity to watch the river otters play. Otters are very secretive but can be found swimming and playing during all seasons. In fact, they are known for being some of the best sliders around. Whenever there is snow or mud, river otters take advantage of it. They find a hill, get a running start, and belly flop, tucking their legs beside them and using their tail as a rudder. When they get to the bottom, instead of getting back to business, they head back up the hill for another round. We should all use the river otter as an example… that sometimes we just need to go outside and play. This year, Tremont is offering numerous opportunities to help you explore the outdoors. Who knows, maybe you’ll spot a river otter while you’re here. Walker Valley Reflections — Spring 2008 2 or the fifth consecutive year, Discover Life in America (DLIA) announced its Outstanding Educator and Outstanding Scientist for Biodiversity Education at the 11th Annual DLIA conference. These two awards are presented to an educator and a scientist who excels in sharing information about the All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory (ATBI) and inspire their students to explore not only the park, but also their schoolyards and backyards for biodiversity. Like many of the previous award winners, this year’s awardees have close ties to Tremont. The Outstanding Biodiversity Educator for 2007 is Gabrielle Riesner. Gabrielle is a science teacher at Mountain Heritage High School in Burnsville, North Carolina. Gabrielle brought her class to Purchase Knob for a field trip and organized an ECO club that instills in her students a deeper understanding of ecology and biodiversity. Gabrielle also was an enthusiastic participant in the Smoky Mountains Science Teacher Institute, held at Tremont, where she incorporated many of the skills and activities from the workshop with her students. Whatever It Takes continued from page 1 Will Kirkpatrick, a student with Spina Bifida, was excited to get to experience the outdoors along with his classmates. We had the opportunity to rent an outdoor wheelchair, called the Terra Trek, in order to allow him to participate in every activity. The Terra Trek is an all-terrain wheelchair. It has larger wheels that are able to roll over different types of landscape, including large roots and rocks. The front of the chair has unique poles that allow the chair to work as a rickshaw, similar to a wheelbarrow. This provides people helping with the chair to assist with more ease than pushing from the back. Will was able to assist in pushing as well. All the students from Will’s class worked together to ensure that everyone made it on the All-Day-Hike and through Cades Cove. Will said that his favorite activity was the All-Day-Hike. “It The 2007 Outstanding Scientist for Biodiversity Education is Dr. Paul Bartels, Warren Wilson College, North Carolina. Since 2001, Dr. Bartels has consistently worked closely with the Resource Education staff in North Carolina to develop a number of programs on the ATBI and Tardigrades (water bears). Dr. Bartels has worked with 8th graders at Purchase Knob during the summer and arranged for his undergraduate students to assist in developing protocols for high school students on the Cherokee reservation. In 2007 he spent a day training Cherokee middle school students how to collect, isolate, and study Tardigrades. The students were so inspired by Dr. Bartels that they spent six hours the next day designing and implementing their own scientific study that assessed the response of Tardigrades to liquids of various pH levels. Dr. Bartels also teaches a very popular Tardigrade exploration workshop during the Smoky Mountains Science Teacher Institute at Tremont, where his presentations are always well received. was pretty awesome getting to participate and I never could have done it without the Terra Trek and all of my friends,” says Will of his experience. Some of the narrow passages were more difficult to get through, but it was amazing to see the kids wanting to take turns to assist Will in this adventure. Ward Webb is another fifth grade student at Cherokee Bend. Because of an injury at age four, Ward lost both of his legs. That has not stopped him from doing anything. He is determined to get to do it all, and his legs certainly did not keep him from participating at Tremont. Ward has two prosthetic legs which enable him to participate in activities with his peers. Ward had difficulty choosing one favorite experience. When asked to describe his favorite part of Tremont, he responded, “Well, I loved Cades Cove; finding thirteen salamanders was cool too! I almost forgot that I loved the solo sit, and the food was great!” Ward had access to his wheelchair, but was able to make it through the week without using it once. Frequent breaks and sock changes were more important for him, in order to rest his legs and keep from getting sores. These students are an inspiration to us all for their commitment to make it work regardless of the circumstance. Cherokee Bend is extremely thankful for Tremont’s flexibility and willingness to let us try something new with these students. Michael and Jeremy helped to make accommodations as we were making stops to adjust the Terra Trek or replace leg socks that keep Ward from bruising. There is a commitment at Cherokee Bend to do whatever it takes for students. It was a blessing that Tremont joined in our efforts to make this work for all students and provide a safe, learning environment. At the end of the day, we were all physically exhausted, but the challenge was thrilling and the learning adventure was certainly worth it! Alicia Hunsberger First Naturalist Certification Class a Success! Tremont would like to offer outdoor wheelchairs such as the Terra Trek to program participants on a regular basis. Can you help? If interested, please contact Meredith P. Goins at (865) 448-6709 or meredith@gsmit.org Walker Valley Reflections — Spring 2008 3 From the Science Lab... Tracks & Signs Citizen Science Highlights for 2007 By Jason Love, Citizen Science Director Smoky Mountains Science Teacher Institute L ast year was in many ways a record year for citizen science at Tremont, from capturing and tagging a total of 185 Monarchs in Cades Cove as part of the Monarch Watch Project, to having a record 23 teenagers sign up for our 10-day Field Ecology Adventure Camp. Here are some other highlights for 2007: • Received a $1,200 mini-grant from DLIA to fund the stipends of two ATBI teacher interns who used the opportunity to learn how to integrate real science in the classroom and schoolyard • Successfully completed our eighth season of MAPS (Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship), netting a total of 68 birds • Hosted Water Mite Workshop with Dr. Andrea Radwell and DLIA • Tremont's Raven Fork Gorge Expedition was a success, collecting valuable data in a remote section of the park, including water mites, plants, mosses, and insects • Over 160 volunteers participated in our Monarch tagging sessions in Cades Cove; 27 species of butterflies were identified, including a new park record, the Dainty Sulphur G reat Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont, in partnership with Great Smoky Mountains National Park, is hosting our annual Smoky Mountains Science Teacher Institute June 15-20, and an Advanced workshop July 8-11, 2008. These workshops will be filled with opportunities to learn and explore. Come learn about the geology of the Smokies, lichen identification, and air and water quality issues in the national park. Get your feet wet while snorkeling for hellbenders and calculating stream volume. Learn how to use a GPS unit and how to interpret data collected from the field. These workshops offer great opportunities for networking with other teachers, learning field techniques and current research, plus are a great way to discover and enjoy your national park. • Installed a new automated weather station • Presented poster at Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (SEAFWA) about our terrestrial salamander coverboard project • 46 site visits were made to our stream salamander monitoring sites • Approximately 290 volunteers provided 2,205 hours of service for citizen science in 2007 • Joel Rudolph was selected as the George Fry Chair, a summer position aimed at linking citizen science with our summer camp programs • 871 specimens from 157 sites were recorded in the ATBI database, giving scientists a better idea of not only what type of species are found in the park, but also where and when these species occur • Adopted the park's long-term Pond Breeding Amphibian Survey as one of our new citizen science projects Citizen science at Tremont not only provides real and relevant data to park managers and scientists but, more importantly, provides volunteers and students something that is often lacking but sorely needed—vital and authentic experiences in the natural world. Tremont thanks the nearly 300 volunteers and hundreds of students that participated in the various citizen science projects at Tremont. D rought was the major story in Walker Valley, and the Southeast in general, for 2007. Rainfall was the lowest ever recorded at Tremont. Stream levels were at their lowest in recent memory, and water conservation measures became mandatory for households and businesses alike. When something is plentiful, we sometimes take it for granted. The drought reminds us that water is indeed a precious resource and is not limitless, even in a place that receives as much rain as the Smokies. Total rain: 36.4 inches (average is 55.8 inches) Total snow: 4.1 inches (average is 7.7 inches) Average Low Rain Snow January 31˚F 19˚F 3.0” 0” Febrary 51˚F 26˚F 2.0” 3.6” March 71˚F 42˚F 2.6” 0” April 69˚F 42˚F 4.1” 0.5” May 84˚F 54˚F 2.4” 0” June 87˚F 61˚F 2.9” 0” July 86˚F 64˚F 7.1” 0” August 93˚F 67˚F 2.6” 0” September 86˚F 59˚F 1.6” 0” October 80˚F 51˚F 1.2” 0” November 62˚F 35˚F 2.3” 0” December 55˚F 34˚F 4.5” 0” Walker Valley Reflections — Spring 2008 4 These workshops are being presented by Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont and Great Smoky Mountains National Park with generous funding from the North Carolina GlaxoSmithKline Foundation and an anonymous donor. T remont is proud to introduce you to two of our newest teacher/naturalists, Brian Ballenger and Kim Wagner. Brian was born and raised in Lancaster (Amish country), Pennsylvania. Brian earned his B.A. in Environmental Planning at Bloomsburg University in 2007. While at Bloomsburg, Brian spent time studying in England, patrolling the backcountry of Mount Katahdin, Maine, and developing a youth leadership camp that emphasized white-tail deer management. In his free time, Brian enjoys traveling, live music, reading and the great outdoors. Brian joined Tremont in the winter of 2008, and is very excited to be in Appalachia. Kim always thought she would be working in some sort of research after college. After receiving a degree in Fisheries and Wildlife from the University of Minnesota, she pursued that goal in California. A short time spent catching juvenile salmon in the San Francisco area and Kim realized that she might have a different passion after all. After a month working as an environmental educator at the Blue Ridge Outdoor Education Center in northeastern Georgia, Kim knew she had found a new career. A three-month position became two years, with Kim becoming the Assistant Director. A need to travel pushed her to Rhode Island. She was the assistant coordinator for the W. Alton Jones Campus of the University of Rhode Island during the school year and spent the summer as the day camp coordinator. Kim missed the south more than she expected and couldn’t wait to get back. Working in the heart of the southern Appalachians at Tremont is the perfect opportunity to teach what she loves and spend her free time hiking and backpacking in her own back yard, Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Walker Valley Reflections — Spring 2008 Ice on a still river pool, Insects disappearing, Mountains are calling me home. Leaves turning red and gold, Birds disappearing, Mountains are calling me home. New Faces at Tremont GSMIT Archives 2007 Walker Valley Weather Summary By Jason Love, Citizen Science Director Average High Month Frost on the grasstops, Chill in the air, Mountains are calling me home. For more information and registration forms, go to our Web site at www.gsmit.org. GSMIT Archives As the Earth Rotates Mountains Are Calling Me Home GSMIT Archives • Used a $15,000 grant from Alcoa Foundation to fund three Summer Youth Science Leadership Interns, purchase science equipment, and help fund a graduate student to evaluate the impact of our research internship program Taking Science from Field and Forest to the Classroom; June 15-20, 2008 Advanced Smoky Mountains Science Teacher Institute; July 8-11, 2008 5 Logs crackling in the hearth, Friends gathered around the table, Mountains are calling me home. -Mickey Larkins still …Connecting People and Nature From the Executive Director, Ken Voorhis J ust about any publication that you pick up these days contains at least one “green” article—green buildings, green design, green weddings, green celebrities, green vehicles, etc. Conversations about the weather now shift to discussion about climate change or "global weirding" as I recently heard the phenomena of strange and erratic weather called. The idea that children need to have connections with nature, dirt, and play is also getting a lot of ink. The connection between all of these is that they draw attention to the idea that people ARE connected to nature, something that we at Tremont have been teaching and trying to emphasize for some time. Connecting people and nature means more than just getting people outside. It means recognizing that people are a part of nature not apart from it. It means that people need and are a part of places like Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It means acting on the responsibility of that awareness by caring for the natural systems that care for us. One of the interesting findings from our research on the impact of our programs upon the students who experience them is the longer lasting shifts in behaviors in the area of environmental stewardship. The work that we are doing is important! The following is a report of some of our accomplishments in 2007. As you review these concrete accomplishments, I hope you will also imagine the wonder in children’s eyes as they experience Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Much of what we accomplish is too big for words. Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont 2007 G reat Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont continues to be an important part of the park’s comprehensive Resource Education program. Tremont provided over $1 million worth of educational services to the park in 2007. Our in-depth residential environmental education programs reached an all time high of 5694 people. As residential participants are involved in programs of several days or more, our impact is better translated into 21,199 user days and 175,952 program hours. In addition to residential users we had contact with; 2519 people through outreach activities, 686 through citizen science, and 10,766 through our visitor center for a total of 19,675 people contacted. Attendance, program income and sales were all exceptional in 2007. Research has shown that in-depth experiences have a greater impact than shorter term visits. Teachers, students and program participants as well as formal evaluation continue to indicate that our programs are of significant value and are important for increasing appreciation and understanding of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Staff and Board School Programs Our greatest resource is the people that do the work to make all that happens at Tremont possible. We continue to maintain and attract the best staff possible. In 2007, we made several critical personnel transitions successfully with Office Human Resources Manager, Grounds and Facilities Assistant, and Senior Teacher/ Naturalist. The Tremont staff is a tremendously talented and dedicated team of professionals, committed to connecting people and nature in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Volunteers also provided 2,336 hours of service. We also have a wonderfully qualified and committed board of directors that continue to help us think big and reach for a vision for the future that involves developing our program, site and facilities to be a widely recognized model of sustainable design, practice and instruction. In 2007, we were glad to elect four new and talented board members: Jon Lawler, Sandy Martin, Ed Pershing, and Jamie Woodson. School programs continue to be our largest program focus. Program staff have been working on an extensive re-writing of our curriculum. Several new lessons have been added; Stream Physics, Salamander Monitoring and the Scientific Method, and an Air Quality program. Adaptations and enhancements to other lessons have been developed as well. A variety of visual aids like maps with photos have also been developed to assist teachers with our cooperative teaching model. The new lessons and visual aids have been well received by teachers. The new lesson guide will be produced in a DVD version. In 2007, 90 schools from 12 states brought over 4,000 students for residential experiences. We were able to provide $28,365 in financial aid and scholarships, which assisted 318 individuals. We also received funding to provide assistance for several teachertraining workshops. Efforts to increase the effectiveness of our cooperative teaching model have been successful. Walker Valley Reflections — Spring 2008 Citizen Science Our efforts in Citizen Science continue to grow and produce valuable data and rich experiences for participants. We believe that our Citizen Science programs continue to be critical, not because we believe that Tremont’s mission is to produce research results (although the data and results we are producing is valuable), but we understand that involving students in field-based scientific research is an excellent vehicle for engaging them. Tremont is creating citizens and students that are more interested and equipped in the area of science and develop within them a significant understanding and appreciation for the park because of this direct interaction. The following are some of the significant successes with Citizen Science in 2007: ■■ Citizen Science Monograph based on the symposium that Tremont hosted in 2003 was published by the Association of Nature Center Administrators (ANCA) Teacher Escape Weekend, which is designed to prepare teachers to bring their students to Tremont, had the greatest attendance ever. We had to open another weekend date to accommodate all of the interested teachers. Incentives like a discounted school group fee, as well as excellent and useful training opportunities, were responsible for this success. Other Programs/Initiatives Evaluation Successes and progress in other Tremont programs included: Our formal evaluation study of the impact of our school program continues to show positive results. The study has documented a significant increase in all of our measured indices. Students leave Tremont with an enhanced understanding of Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP), a heightened interest in learning, a deeper feeling of connection with nature, and a greater willingness to act as good stewards of the environment. One of the most significant features of our evaluation process was the 3-month survey. Previous studies evaluating the effectiveness of environmental 6 education programs show inconclusive results regarding retention of attitudes and knowledge after a period of time. However, Tremont’s study shows that many of our indexes and individual questions remain significantly higher. Three-month follow-up surveys reveal that increases in students’ commitment to environmental stewardship, as well as knowledge and awareness of GSMNP and biological diversity, remain significantly higher. Students continue to express significantly increased levels of comfort in the outdoors, as well as a higher level of attention to plants and animals in the surrounding environment. A paper on our study entitled “What difference does it make? Assessing outcomes from participants in a residential environmental education program” has been submitted to the Journal of Environmental Education by the research team who worked with us to develop the system. An internal report of our findings will be published by Tremont in 2008. ■■ For the seventh consecutive summer we hosted three summer youth science leadership interns through a grant from Alcoa Foundation See Jason Love’s report on page 4 for Citizen Science accomplishments. ■■ Southern Appalachian Naturalist Certification Program—This program was developed by Amber Parker and is designed to provide in-depth training in interpretation and natural history to provide those who complete a series of classes with certification. We are excited about the potential of this exciting new program. ■■ Native Landscape Certification Program (NLCP)— The NLCP is underway and designed to certify development projects that meet criteria for eliminating exotic plants and using natives for landscaping. Work to certify Norton Creek Estates received from Tennessee Arts Commission (via Knoxville Arts & Culture Alliance), Avent Cabin Fund, Blount County, Cornerstone Foundation, Discover Life in America, First Tennessee Bank, and REI. In-kind services and donations also provided valued support as well. in Gatlinburg is almost complete. We’ve produced a beautiful certification award and the NLCP manual is complete. NLCP was featured in Total Landscape Magazine. ■■ The Tennessee Environmental Education Association awarded Ken Voorhis its highest award for distinguished service and a lifetime of connecting people and nature. Leadership Tremont continues to be viewed as a leader in the field and is often called upon to participate in meetings, conferences, consults, and to serve on boards or advisory groups. These opportunities allow us to share what we have learned and developed at Tremont with others as well as provide staff with valuable professional development opportunities through interaction with other organizations and professionals. In 2007, we were involved with a wide variety of organizations ranging from national ones like the Association of Nature Centers Administrators to local and regional groups like the Tennessee and Georgia Environmental Education Associations. ■■ Arts Initiative—We continue to build on our efforts to encourage the use of the arts to connect people with nature and the national park. In 2007, we were able to offer two residencies with puppetry artist Hobey Ford for Discovery Camps I & II. We had great attendance at our second Tremonthosted summer concert presented at the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center in Townsend and our annual Arts and Environment concert featuring Bill Staines at the Palace Theater in Maryville, Tennessee. We were also able to provide over $3,000 in assistance to bring artists to Tremont to lead programs that benefited seven school groups and both Discovery Camps serving a total of 392 children and 56 teachers and youth leaders. Campus and Facility Improvements We continue to seek out ways to make improvements to our campus to enhance our programs and make the program experience the best and safest it can be. One of the largest projects was the replacement of our sewage treatment system that failed in May. Thanks to the National Park Service we were able to make repairs and replace the system with a limited amount of down time. Some of the other major projects that we were able to accomplish in 2007 include the following: ■■ Summer Camps—Summer programs were well attended and received. There was increased enrollment in Family Camp and record high enrollment in Field Ecology Camp. We were also able to host Robbinsville, North Carolina students on-site twice for archeology work, including members of the Eastern Band Cherokee Indians. Our summer intern program continues to be improved under the leadership of Jeremy Lloyd. This program provides four to six college students each summer with training and experience in leadership and environmental education. ■■ The creation of a shower area in the rear of the activity center with outside access to the tent platforms. ■■ New A.D.A. approved doors, fixtures, and partitions in Cove Room restrooms. ■■ Legacy of Tremont—This group of Tremont supporters and alumni was formed and held our first Legacy of Tremont homecoming for Tremont alumni in September. This friendraising and fundraising initiative raised $13,825 to support our programs. Legacy is launching a series of hikes in 2008 and a family scavenger hunt in March. ■■ New A.D.A. approved shower facility at Caylor Lodge. ■■ Wrapped both vans with eye-catching graphics. ■■ Partitions were installed at all dorm shower areas. ■■ Replacement of the friendship circle roof. ■■ Repairs and improvements to staff quarters; new gutters and fascia and soffitt, replacement HVAC units and refrigerators. Operations We had an excellent year financially in 2007 with a total income of $1,341,093. Our earned income represented 78% and support income 22%. Support income includes park designated funds from Friends of the Smokies and Great Smoky Mountains Association (GSMA), donated profits from our store from GSMA, donations from many generous individuals and foundations, endowment disbursements, and grants. Staff once again did an excellent job of controlling expenses and worked to make sure every dollar was stretched as far as possible. Staff managed expenses for a net revenue over expenditures that enabled us to purchase needed equipment items for programs, and complete several capital projects. Because of a significant single gift, our endowment has grown to well over $1 million. Grants were also Walker Valley Reflections — Spring 2008 ■■ Removed and replaced two 80-gallon water heaters at dining hall. ■■ Installed three new grease traps in kitchen. ■■ New floor coverings in several areas of the activity center. Future Campus The Environmental Assessment for a redesigned campus is close to completion and we hope to have a final decision on the preferred alternative early in 2008. 7 The Race to Save the Eastern Hemlock By Michael Matzko, Teacher/Naturalist I n life everyone finds things, people, places that they instantly connect with and can’t do without. I am lucky because I have many of them. Sadly I, and many others, are on the cusp of losing something we hold very dear. The Eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) a staple of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, is in dire need of help. This moisture-loving tree has been attacked by an invasive non-native aphid-like insect called the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (Adelges tsugae). The HWA hails from northern Japan and eastern Asia. This insect has been in the United States since the late 1920s and in the eastern U.S. since the late 1950s. With no natural predator the HWA has devastated the hemlock population in many parts of the Smokies from Newfound Gap Road to Anthony Creek. The fate of this Smokies staple lies in the hands of the men and women with the National Park Service (NPS). The vegetation crew (or veg crew, as they are called), have worked tirelessly to manage this terrible threat. The roadside hemlocks continue to persist with treatment such as insecticidal soap sprayed from truck-mounted spray units. When applied, the solution acts as a means of suffocation to the tiny insects. Chemical Will we be the generation that has to say, “I remember when there were hemlocks?” treatments like the insecticidal spray, while effective, are time consuming and quite limited to roadsides and surrounding parking areas. The spray must then be re-applied every six months to a year. The hemlock, sadly, grows not only by roadsides but also throughout the park, especially near streams and rivers. The Smokies have over 800 acres of old-growth hemlock stands and 90,000 acres of younger stands. With a focus on old-growth stands the NPS is controlling the HWA with a systemic insecticide (imidacloprid) either by soil drenching or injecting the insecticide directly into the trunk. When treating hemlocks with soil drenching, the duff layer is removed and the mixture of water and imidacloprid is applied to the base of the trunk. The duff layer is then replaced. The results of this chemical control have proved dramatic. Trees with gray foliage have bounced back and are able to produce new growth. Having been part of a systemic drenching near Ramsey Cascade Trail I know that this is very difficult work with many problems. Some of these trees are difficult, at best, to get to and with only four of us on the job we could only do so much. Credit must go to Jesse Webster and the rest of the veg crew for doing all that they can possibly do to make this treatment work. As in any crisis there comes a time for desperate measures to be taken. That time came in 2002 when the first HWA was recorded within the park boundaries. In 2002, the NPS began releasing non-native beetles to feed on the HWA. The beetles feed exclusively on HWA including eggs, larvae, and adults. Through research, park biologists believe this may be the hemlocks' greatest hope for survival. Many years will need to pass to see if, in fact, they will actually do the job. Another group that has championed the fight against the HWA is the Friends of the Smokies who have raised over $1 million to support the park's hemlock saving efforts. So where does this leave us? Will we be the generation that has to say, “I remember when there were hemlocks?” Over the last year park visitors have noticed a significant die off of hemlocks, especially visible near the Chimneys. The death of the hemlock is more than the loss of tree—it is a habitat for many migrating birds and many native insects. The hemlock is also an important shade tree along streams. The shade it provides is vital to maintaining cool streams for native brook trout and macro invertebrates. Aside from the biological reasons to save the hemlocks, it is a downright beautiful tree to spend a few hours underneath. Ken Voorhis My Heart is Broken To learn more about the hemlock woolly adelgid and treatments go to www.saveourhemlocks.org. Walker Valley Reflections — Spring 2008 8 Donations From 11/10/07 to 2/1/08: Financial Contributions Friends of Great Smoky Mountains National Park Great Smoky Mountains Association Scholarship Fund John Brockett Gary & Pamela Carpenter E. Terry Cowles David Hedden Jeremy Lloyd Jennifer S. Martin Ralph & Marilyn Martin Michael Matzko Marcia McCarley Vickie Parker Linda Russell Charlene Stewart Gregory Turner Kim Wagner Katie Wilkinson Endowment Fund Thunderhead Perk Bill Cobble Samuel E. Crowe Jennifer Love Jason Love Wilma Maples Jaimie Matzko Charles & Janice Maynard April Morris Mark E. Smith Toni Vann William Vines Ken Voorhis ...in memory of michael dale Thomas Blakely Jennifer Dale Edwin & Barbara Dale …to honor George Jones Kent Jones …In Memory of Arthur & Margaret Stupka Gregg & Tracy Price …to honor GlenN Rice Rebecca Goodson …to honor Bill Cobble James A. Haslam, II Annual Campaign Ora & June Ackerman Cathy Ackermann Duane & Cindy Allen Grady & Dora Amann Bob Anderson Shirly Andrews Pat Atkins Daniel Awald Gino & Kellie Bachman Fred & Julianne Baker Lee Barnes Dennis & Jennifer Bausman Dennis Beck Deborah Beck Nancy Biddle Tim & Janet Bigelow Tommy Bird Sid & JoNelda Blalock Ernest & Patricia Blankenship Ramsey Blanks Leonard Borg C. H. Bozeman Richard & Trudy Braun Julie Brown David Butts Melissa Caldwell Joseph & Amy Camp Jerry & Jill Christian Ed & Meredith Clebsch Herbert Coleman Susan Cooper Richard & Susan Crayden Joshua Davis Dr. Hal DeSelm Hardy & Sarah DeYoung Larry & Beth Dicus John Dombroski Doris Dowbiggin Charles Downs Joe Dreimiller Don Dunning Glenda Eastridge Ed Edgerton Billie Jean Edwards Patti Edwards Ginny Elliott Darrel Ellis Katherine Enos Ruth Ewald Harold Fee Bill Ferguson Joel Fink Alex Fischer Bernie Fox Wayne Frey Steve Fritts Joe Garza William Giles C. Keith Goff Bill Greenwood John Greer Rex Grindstaff Brian & Angela Groenhout Mike Gross Sandra Harmon Jim Harmon Michael Harvey John Hasek John “Buford” Hatcher Roy & Patricia Heifner Jim & Jan Heinrich Chuck Hendricks Mark & Mary Gay Henegar Ronald & Kathleen Hill Ray & Carol Hils Susan Hilton Eric Hoeppner Tom & Jamie Holmes Kay Hultquist Renee Hyatt Mark Johns Barbara Johnson Eric Johnston Richard & Susan Jonely Barry & Colleen Jones Jilah Kalil Lee Kalvaitis Edward Kenimer, Jr. Joseph Posner Erna Prickett Dick Ray Pamela Reed Robert D. Reily Sol Resnick E. Lee Rice, Jr. Bert & Jennie Ritchie Bryan Roberson Mike Roberson & Arlene Frazier Elizabeth Rogers Patrick Rogers Gary & Karyn Rolfe Harold P. Roth Millie Ruen Randall & Pam Sale Paul Sanders Fred & Gail Schaefer William Schneider Ron & Susan Schott James & Elizabeth Schumacher Louis Schweizer Mary Seals Marsha Sega Peter Shea Randolph Sim Sarita Singh Steve Smith Karen Smith Richard & Louann Smith James F. Smith, Jr. Jon Snyder Mark & Janet Snyder Victoria Soderberg Deborah Speigel Melanie Spence Shawn & Kristin Spindel Jeff Spitzer Dennis Spjut Susan Springer Mary Lou Sproles Gayle Stachel Judy Stanley Jerry & Sharon Stiner Art & Martha Stinson Ronald Stob Judy Stockton Phil & Eleanor Straub Ricky Lynn Summit R. B. Summitt II Don & Martha Sundquist Clifford & Ruth Kirk Robert & Susan Klein David & LeRona Kocher Lillian Kraczek Thomas Kulla-Abbott Savas Kyriakidis Julie Labhart George & Geraldine Largay Jon & Toni Lawler Bernie & Leila Levine Neal & Pat Linhardt Robert & Linda Lloyd Wilbur & Jane Logan Jim Long Jim Maffei David & Sandy Martin Mike & Tracy Maslona James Mason Dominic & Ruth Mattone Char McComas Vernon McCurry Robert & Martha Ann McDermott Tom & Margo McDonald Laurie McDowell Bruce McKay Stu & Sarah McNiell Gregory & Trista McReynolds Carl Middleton Bonny Millard Roger Miller Sharon Miller-Pryse John Mincey Sandy Moore Tom & Eva Murphy Conley & Caroline Murrell Arthur & Emily Norville Denny O’Neal Robert & Mary Ellen Ohr Nancy Olsen Amber Parker Lynn Parnell Bob & Janice Patterson Joan Paul Edward Pershing Niels & Patricia Petersen Linda Petrosky Beth Pinkus Mary Ann Plourde Michael & Rebecca Sutton Don & Kathy Taylor Gary Teper Lois Thomas Claudia Thomas George & Marjorie Totten Wave Townes Robin & Joe Ben Turner Richardson Turner Patricia Twilla Terry & Marsha Uselton Carl Van Hoozier, Jr. Linda C. Vananda Barry & Jeanie Vanwinkle Janice Vell Arleen Vincent Georgiana Vines Judy Voght Marigka Walker Nancy Watrous Joe & Connie Weaver Eleanor K. Webb Philip & Ann Weinrich George & Barbara Wenger Thomas Wentworth Wally Werner & Nan Taylor Marion Westerling Kathy Wilbanks Charles Wilder Jim & Sally Williams Priscilla Wilson Eileen P. Wilson Stephen Woody Leyton & Beverly Wright Nicholas Young Jerome & Rozanne Zeiger Designated Donations Betty Voorhis In-kind Donations Kevin Clayton Laura Dunn Hugh Faust Science Research & Other Volunteers From 11/1/07 to 2/1/08: Sandy Abel Grady Amann Jennifer Baker Gwen Boyles Debbie & Mitch Brockman Greg & Mary Capps Alan Cheatham Nancy Condon Carol Cunningham Tony Gilliland Girl Scout Troup 376 Michelle Gruetzmacher Mary Hand Jim & Melba Harmon Sandra Henry Trine Jensen Will Kilgore Bonnie LeNair Jeffy Link Earl & Delores Maness David Mauser Hillary McApine Sam McDonald Davis, Kade, & Robyn Parker Julie Reggio Bill Riegel Walker Valley Reflections — Spring 2008 Taylor Rinehart Susan Roberts Christopher & Mary Romines St. Mary’s School Gar, Keane, & Richard Secrist 9 Alex, Bonnie, & Marsha Sega Tim Shoecraft Dennis Spjut Margot Spore Bill Steiner Summer Camp–No Child Left Inside Bryan Bowers Concert at the Palace Theater By Jeremy Lloyd, Summer Camp Director May 2nd, 8 p.m. Looking Ahead Visit www.gsmit.org, call 865-448-6709, or e-mail mail@gsmit.org for more information on any of our offerings! April Spring Photography Workshop April 18–21 S ummer will be here before you know it and with it comes summer camp! Tremont’s summer programs will instill confidence, teach kids to work as a team, and build leadership skills to all who participate. Here’s a sampling of our summer offerings: Discovery Camp is one of our longest running programs for children ages 9 to 12. Together we explore nature, learn about plants and birds, frogs and snakes, survival skills and wilderness ethics. We swim in the river every day, take hiking adventures in the mountains and spend a night camping out in the woods. This year Tremont invites Doug Elliott to both Discovery Camps as Artist-in-Residence. Elliott will perform his signature program “Woodslore and Wildwoods Wisdom,” which is made up of stories and songs that celebrate animals, plants, and people. He’ll tell you everything you never thought you wanted to know about opossums in Possomology. Likewise, groundhogs in Groundhogology. He’ll lead a nature walk or two, telling tales on the trail and extolling the virtues of observation to children. Elliott is the author of four books, many articles in regional and national magazines, and has recorded a number of awardwinning albums of stories and songs. June 9–14 & June 23–28 Cost: $435. Ages 9-12. Wilderness Adventure Camp is a 4-day/3-night backcountry adventure for teenagers who might never have backpacked before and want to test the waters. This is a favorite for many campers who return year after year before “graduating” to Teen High Adventure. June 9–14 & June 23–28 Cost: $460. Ages 13-17. Teen High Adventure is a 7-day/6-night trek will include a day of whitewater rafting and an Alpine Challenge ropes course. Teen High Adventure is our premiere backpacking offering, designed to give each participant a rewarding experience growing in the areas of backcountry skills, nature appreciation, and personal J oin Tremont when we bring the music out of the mountains and into downtown! Come to a one-of-a-kind concert by autoharpist virtuoso Bryan Bowers at the Palace Theater in downtown Maryville, Tennessee. "To call Bryan Bowers' performance simply a 'concert' would be inadequate if not inaccurate,” said the Deseret News, “It could better be described as an experience!" A wellknown artist on the traditional music circuit, Bryan has a dynamic personality and an uncanny ability to enchant a crowd in any situation. A singersongwriter and storyteller, he has recorded eight albums. His latest, Bristlecone Pine, features Tim O’Brien and Sam Bush. His song “Berkeley Woman” was recorded by John Denver. He is only one of four people ever inducted into the Autoharp Hall of Fame. Autoharp, you say? Yes, autoharp! For nearly three decades, Bryan Bowers has been to the autoharp what Earl Scruggs was to the fivestring banjo. His towering six-foot four-inch frame can be wild and zany on stage while playing a song like "Dixie," while five minutes later he can have the same audience singing "Will The Circle Be Unbroken" in quiet reverence and delight. His roots run deep in the Appalachian Mountains, and we look forward to celebrating the musical arts of our region with him. Purchase your tickets at $15 each for this Friday night event by calling 865-448-6709. development. Our backpack programs are often the first camps to fill, so sign your teen up early! July 14–24 Cost $875. Ages 13-17. Field Ecology Adventure gives teenagers the opportunity of working with and as real scientists. In the past campers have conducted studies of salamanders, dung beetles, migratory birds, reptiles, plants, bears, and lots more. Climb a mountain and ford a river while doing real science. No other camp quite like this one exists anywhere else. July 14–24 Cost $875. Ages 13-17. NEW! Backcountry Ecological Expedition Camp is similar in many ways to Field Ecology Adventure and combines real science with backcountry travel and living. Get ready for the wildest ride of your life. June 9–14 Cost: $460. Ages 13-17. Smoky Mountains Naturalist Expeditions gives kids ages 11 to 13 the opportunity to immerse themselves for 10 days studying amphibians, black bears, forest ecology, primitive skills, and lots more. This is deep immersion, in contrast with the windshield experience of the average park visitor. Expedition Naturalists will get to explore areas all over the park, interact with professional land and wildlife managers, and gaze into the glowing embers of an evening campfire after an afternoon spent swimming in the Middle Prong. July 14–24 Cost: $875. Ages 11-13. Visit Tremont’s Web site to view samples of weekly summer activities for most camps. These programs fill quickly, so sign your child up early to avoid being put on a waiting list. We look forward to meeting you and spending the summer with your child and teen! The deadline for Tremont’s summer camp financial aid, including the Michael Edwin Dale Scholarship for Wilderness Adventure Camp, is April 1, 2008. The application can be found on our Web site at www.gsmit.org under programs, click on Summer Camp Adventures. Call (865) 448-6709 or e-mail mail@gsmit.org for more information. Walker Valley Reflections — Spring 2008 Partial funding for this concert is provided by Tennessee Arts Commission and the Arts & Cultural Alliance of Knoxville. 10 This is your chance to capture the wonder of sunrise, sunset, wildflowers, and lavish landscapes! Nationally recognized nature photographer Bill Lea will lead a workshop emphasizing wildlife, landscape, and macro photography. Bill tailors the program to the skill level and interests of each individual participant with plenty of oneon-one instruction. Field sessions and lectures will cover the use of light, composition, and equipment. This workshop fills quickly, so register early! Cost: $540 Legacy Spring Wildflower Hike at Chimneys Picnic Area April 19th, 10 a.m.–Noon Join Amber Parker, Tremont’s education director, for a hike on cove hardwood trail to marvel at the beauty of spring. What a perfect way to spend a Saturday morning! Proceeds from this Legacy Alumni hike help support Tremont’s annual fund and is open to anyone interested in supporting our mission of connecting people and nature. Cost: $15. Pre-registration is required. Spring Le Conte Overnight April 19–21 Head to the top of the Smokies and spend the night at Le Conte Lodge, the highest elevation lodge in the eastern United States. The first evening will be spent at Tremont, and we’ll head up the mountain the following morning. Along the way, our education staff will share their knowledge of natural history, high elevation ecology, and science. While at the top, you will enjoy spectacular views, hearty meals, and a cozy bed. We’ll return to civilization on the last day. We suggest you sign-up with a friend, or be prepared to bunk with a new one. Program lasts from supper the first day to late lunch on the last day. Cost: $365. Full amount is required for registration. May Spring Adult Backpack May 16–18 Join our guides and experience the beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains firsthand on a 3-day backpacking adventure. We provide all the information, food, and gear (except sleeping bag) for your excursion. This is a safe, educational, and enjoyable way to learn about backpacking in the Smokies. Participants must be in good physical condition and be able to hike 5-8 miles a day in rugged, mountainous terrain. Program lasts from Friday morning to Sunday afternoon. Cost: $245. July Spring Wonders Weekend: Nature Study 101 Smoky Mountains Family Camp May 16–18 June 30–July 5 Over the past 39 years, Tremont has formulated a recipe for a perfect spring weekend getaway. Take the beauty of the Smoky Mountains, add birdsong, a dash of crisp air, dedicated and talented staff and guest instructors, and… voila! You have Spring Wonders Weekend. This Spring Wonders Weekend will focus on the skills and tools used in nature study. Spend the weekend learning observation techniques, journaling, identification, collection, and curation. This comprehensive and FUN approach to nature study will prepare you to return to your home landscape, ready to appreciate it all the more. Program lasts from Friday supper to Sunday lunch. One hour of graduate credit is available for an additional fee. Cost: $220. Spend your family vacation in the Smokies. Surround yourself with the magic of the mountains as you hike ridges, study wildlife, explore secret places, and take afternoon dips in the Middle Prong. This week-long adventure is designed for families that are ready to leave their cares behind. Cost: $1,000 for a family of four. Naturalist Certification Program—Plants July 7–9 Delve into the incredible diversity of plants found in the Southern Appalachians! We’ll make it easy to learn botanical terms, plant taxonomy, and plant identification. Students will participate in several field classes during which they will investigate particular plant communities, learning the plants common to those communities. Emphasis is given to plant distribution and communities and practice with keys and field guides. You never knew botany could be so fun! Cost: $250. Southern Appalachian Ecology is a prerequisite for this course. Naturalist Certification Program— Southern Appalachian Ecology May 16–18 Learn about the ecology of the Southern Appalachian Mountains, particularly as it relates to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, through discussions and field trips. Topics will include: geological history; plant community distribution; how aspect, elevation, and moisture gradients affect distribution; and an overview of plant communities with a focus on the major forest types. Field trips will include visits to examples of many of these forest types. Cost: $250. Naturalist Certification Program— Interpretation: A Teachable Art July 7–9 Interpretation: A Teachable Art provides rudimentary knowledge regarding the theory and principles of environmental interpretation, how to communicate effectively, and how to develop meaningful interpretive programs. Expect fun, hands-on activities and participatory education as we progress from learning about good communication to actually teaching. Cost: $250 Naturalist Certification Program—Birds of the Smokies May 16–18 What could be better than a weekend of bird watching! Discover the many bird species of the Southern Appalachian Mountains while we focus on their specific adaptations and distributions in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Emphasis will be given to general natural history of each species, including but not limited to: distribution, associations, reproduction, vocalizations, status, conservation, research methods, etc. Fieldtrips will take us to a variety of habitats, from low elevations to high, in search of these remarkable creatures. Cost: $250. June Naturalist Hiking Week July 7–12 Each day, choose from two hike choices or a “day off activity,” all lead by experienced educators who offer insight into the Smokies. Hikes are moderate to strenuous and 6-14 miles over rugged mountainous terrain. Day off activities may include nature walks, ecology field trips, tours of historic areas, or art classes. Participants must be in good physical condition to participate in the hikes. Evening activities include guest lecturers, musical entertainment, night walks, and more! Program lasts from Monday supper to Saturday lunch. Cost: $370. Bird Watching at Cades Cove June 7, 7 a.m.–Noon Join Amber Parker, Tremont's education director, for an early morning of listening and watching the birds of Cades Cove. Proceeds from this Legacy Alumni hike help support Tremont’s annual fund and is open to anyone interested in supporting our mission of connecting people and nature. Cost: $15. Must register in advance. Walker Valley Reflections — Spring 2008 11 STAFF teacher/naturalists Brian Ballenger Mike Matzko April Morris Mary Silver Kim Wagner sr. teacher/naturalists Josh Davis Jeremy Lloyd Jen Martin education director Amber Parker food service Cody Baker Linda Hatcher Toni Vann Katie Wilkinson Emma Lou Willison Aaron Wilson part-time naturalist Gar Secrist grounds & facilities Sam Crowe Ron Hood school program director Jennifer Love assistant office manager Julie Brown PR/development director Meredith P. Goins office/human resource manager Charlene Stewart public relations assistant Kent Jones executive director Ken Voorhis sales Gary Carpenter Linda Vananda finance assistant Mike Gross citizen science director Jason Love Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont is operated in cooperation with Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This newsletter is printed on 100% post-recycled paper. Newsletter design concept by Lisa Horstman. Designed by Shelly Powell. Program brochures are available by contacting our office: BOARD OF DIRECTORS president Dick Ray vice president Edward Pershing treasurer Wright Tisdale past president Fred Forster E Patrick Atkins Kati Blalock Alex Fischer Jim Haslam Maribel Koella Jon Lawler Sandy Martin Jamie Woodson emeritus directors Cathy Ackermann Patrick Roddy This will be your last issue if you haven't replied to us to stay on our mailing list. Donations help defer the cost of printing, but are not required. 1) Mail this page to us, or 2) Fax this page to 865-448-9250, or 3) E-mail us at mail@gsmit.org (give us your name as it is listed on the mailing label) ** Please be sure to note any address changes! ** www.gsmit.org • (865) 448-6709 • mail@gsmit.org Non-Profit Org. US Postage PAID Great Smoky Mountains National Park 9275 Tremont Road Townsend, TN 37882 Permit No. 127 Knoxville, TN
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