Tag Archives: nature

Cultural history, natural surroundings, park cemeteries, and sweat-inducing, blood-pumping hikes. These are just a few of the topics to be explored in Great Smoky Mountains Association’s Branch Out activity series this May. Those interested in learning more about our country’s most visited national park are encouraged to join any of these programs set within Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Program: ...

Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials have announced the dates for viewing Synchronous Fireflies in Elkmont. Shuttle service to the viewing area will be provided on Thursday, June 7 through Thursday, June 14. All visitors wishing to view the synchronous fireflies at Elkmont must have a parking pass distributed through the lottery system at www.recreation.gov. Every year in late May ...

Beginning this Sunday, bear experts from all over the world will be meeting for the 5th International Human-Bear Conflicts Workshop at the Park Vista Hotel in Gatlinburg. Bear specialists from Asia, the Middle East and South America will join their colleagues from the U.S. and Canada to discuss strategies on dealing with human-bear conflicts. Beginning in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories in ...

As winter gives way to spring, residents and visitors should prepare for increased bear activity as black bears are emerging from their winter slumber, says the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. Many reports of bear sightings are circulating around East Tennessee, which is not unusual considering it is bear country. According to TWRA Black Bear Coordinator Dan Gibbs, increased activity should be ...

Great Smoky Mountains National Park rangers are recruiting volunteers to adopt a monitoring plot in areas throughout the park. In an effort to track nature’s calendar, or phenology, volunteers will collect information as part of an important research project tracking seasonal biological data such as plant flowering dates and the presence of migratory birds. Previous experience is not necessary but ...

Great Smoky Mountains National Park invites visitors to join a park ranger for a guided hike on Friday, November 24 or a service opportunity on Saturday, November 25, 2017. Hikes will be offered near the Oconaluftee Visitor Center and Elkmont Campground, providing an outstanding opportunity for people of all ages to #OptOutside and enjoy the park. Rangers and park volunteers ...

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is hosting a volunteer trail maintenance workday on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017 in celebration of the 24th annual National Public Lands Day. Participants are invited to participate on a trail rehabilitation project along the Clingmans Dome Bypass Trail from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Volunteers will perform trail maintenance including installation of drainage features, rehabilitation ...

TWRA and Legacy Parks are joining together for the second sunflower festival at the Forks of the River Wildlife Management Area in Knoxville. WMA Manager Bill Smith recognized the public’s interest in the sunflower fields planted on the area a few years ago and decided it would benefit TWRA and the public to have a festival. “The sunflowers draw thousands ...

Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency officials are experiencing an increase in the illegal removal of wildlife and wishes to remind people that not only is taking wildlife from nature unlawful, it can have harmful effects on humans, pets, and wildlife populations. Animals most often taken include fawns, turtles, squirrels and baby raccoons. Sometimes the intent is to care for a seemingly ...

The American Eagle Foundation celebrates American Eagle Day with a full slate of activities planned for Saturday, June 17, 2017 at Dollywood. American Eagle Day was first recognized in 1995 by President Bill Clinton and Tennessee Governor Don Sundquist as a special time to commemorate the bald eagle’s anniversary of its selection as our national symbol. More than 80 governors ...