The newsletter of Great S m o k y M o u n t a i n s Institute at Tremont

Spring 2011 avis b D osh J oy C c M hristina

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Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont 2010 Annual Report avis D osh J ilver

S c o n n epeople c ti nandg nature ary M www.gsmit.org From the Executive Director What Can Visiting a National Park Do For You? 2010 Accomplishments, The Back-Story By Jeremy Lloyd, special programs coordinator

ational parks will figure into the such as the Smokies, no one is reading a standards to the lowest common hen I was a kid, one of the best things my mom ever in their home neighborhoods. Many of the children don’t vacation plans of many Americans this script or maneuvering levers behind a denominator, instead encourages visitors to did for me was to tell me, “Don’t come home until know what is available in their own backyard. N W summer, and that’s a good thing. When curtain. Instead it’s a real life adventure. pursue forms of recreation that are more the street lights come on.” My friends and I rode our Recently, one of our teacher naturalists, Tesha, began people visit parks they fall in love with The fact is, most people who visit the challenging and demanding than they’re bicycles all over creation and found those out-of-the-way researching what natural areas, parks, nature centers, etc., them, which in turn ensures their prolonged Smokies come not because of the natural used to. And it’s why here at Tremont we places that Robert Michael Pyle so aptly dubbed “ ‘rough are near the kids’ home communities. She encourages existence so future generations can enjoy scenery but because of the wide variety of lead middle school age children into the ground’—little patches of undeveloped nature that are not them to visit these places when they return home. them. attractive activities the surrounding area woods on hikes, cultivating in them the manicured, planted, controlled or protected, but are close- A teacher who is working to bring a group of students But what good does it do us to visit a offers—all of them mediated experiences. desire for wilderness, adventure, and to-home and available for kids to play in, as they please.” to Tremont expressed the need to engage students with national park? Besides glimpsing wildlife But in order to experience something more learning in nature. My family took me camping. We went to state and the outdoors. and seeing beautiful scenery, breathing authentic, you must visit the national park. The result is a generation of youngsters national parks. We canoed, hiked, water-skied, and “Many of our teachers have volunteered to sponsor as fresh air and spending time with family, how Climbing a mountain, catching a who possess a firsthand knowledge of the explored both new and familiar wild places. There was a many students as we can because we believe that these exactly do we benefit? A book I’ve been salamander, watching a snake slither across natural world and who will grow up to take natural history museum in our students need to be able to see the world outside their reading recently, a classic in conservation the trail, carrying a backpack full of a care of it. town that I loved to visit. They own. literature, Mountains Without Handrails: week’s worth of supplies—these are just a had animals there, and classes Many of them know only about many trees by the Reflections on the National Parks by Joseph few experiences that about the animals, and books I have in my classroom, or by the pictures they see L. Sax, offers some insights. What’s happen on a regular basis opportunities for kids to on their television screens at home. I work with a intriguing is how closely several of his at Tremont, all of them volunteer to help. I did that and population that does not value the outdoors. They do not answers relate to our work here at Tremont. unmediated. It only appears later even got a job on their see the importance of nature or wildlife or conservation of on the surface that teacher/ “junior staff!” land in this country. So many of these students don’t Contemplation naturalists are controlling Last year the President really know why they want to come to Tremont yet. Sax points out that from their very them. Rather, they act as r c hives

A announced America’s Great If we can get a large enough group to experience what beginning the national parks were created to midwives helping to bring Outdoors Initiative. He asked Tremont has to offer and then bring those students back to provide visitors with more than just scenery. them into being. And that’s G S M IT the leaders of those agencies that share what they saw and what they were given, we might Frederick Law Olmsted, designer of Central in part what going to a deal with people and the be able to change the culture in a way that will place more Park in New York City and chairman of the national park means: giving outdoors to go to the American people and find out what importance in nature, in conservation and education.” commissioners managing Yosemite when it up some control and being is needed to begin the implementation of a 21st century It is a joy to witness this kind of change in children

was first formed, argued that parks are for open to having an ilver S conservation agenda. The resulting report was submitted through our programs and their experience with Great the “contemplative faculty.” Parks, in other experience that is visceral, ary

to the President this February and represents ideas from Smoky Mountains National Park. M words, are for leisure and recreation. hands-on, and self- 51 public listening sessions held across the country. What I’ve tried to relay in these few paragraphs is Unstructured time creates space for soul- directed. It is not surprising that what was heard was a important context for this annual report issue of our searching and getting to the bottom of our Your National Park Awaits You description of childhood experience today that is very newsletter. It explains the people and nature piece that is selves. This, in turn, benefits a democratic Cultivating Desire In closing, Joseph L. Sax argues in his different than what I had growing up. It was also heard woven throughout the numbers and statistics that are a society and keeps it healthy. Our culture champions individual choice book that satisfaction from activities we that “Americans care deeply about our outdoor heritage part of this report. Here at Tremont I have witnessed the and taste above almost everything else. This take part in come not from merely occupying and want to enjoy and protect it.” People realize that we Without the back-story, the depth of experience, and the kind of deep contemplation on people’s way of thinking ultimately leads each of us ourselves, but from engaging ourselves. It’s are less connected with the outdoors, with nature, and story of what they represent, the numbers and statistics faces that you don’t see at the mall, or the to believe that we’re the center of the hard to imagine a better way for this to they believe that it is important to find ways to remedy don’t reflect the full impact of our mission... Connecting post office, or in the workplace. I’ve seen it universe. One result is that we only choose happen than by getting outdoors. that. The report goes on with a number of people and nature in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. in people sitting by the banks of the Middle to do whatever is easiest and least So come visit your national park in the recommendations and great ideas for how to implement Much thanks to all of those who helped us with that Prong, as they finish the solo hike during a demanding. Smokies this summer. Come sit by the them. You can view the entire report at http:// mission in 2010! Teachers, students, naturalists, the wilderness trek, or as they gaze into the Sax argues that we humans ultimately do shores of the Middle Prong and contemplate americasgreatoutdoors.gov/report/. National Park Service, donors, board members, staff, dying embers of a campfire at day’s end. not know, and cannot specify, what we want. life deeply. Come for an adventure no one Tremont has been connecting people and nature for volunteers, advisors, guest presenters, friends, and Opportunities to “get outside yourself” True desire, he argues, must be cultivated. alive will ever experience in quite the same over forty years. Hopefully the President's Great Outdoors family—the list is endless but THANKS TO ALL! simply to think and feel do not occur easily This means sometimes accepting the way. Come and stimulate your appetite for Initiative will help us and others who have similar goals. I hope you will appreciate reading about our 2010 in our daily routine. That’s one reason possibility that others may know what is lifelong learning in the outdoors. What we do is critically important work. Utilizing our accomplishments and will choose to get involved in 2011 people come to Tremont, because for a short good for us better than we do ourselves. The reasons for visiting a national park national parks as places to reconnect people with the as we go about this great and important (and enjoyable) time at least, every person who comes here Children provide a good illustration for this, this summer are too many to count. What natural world makes great sense. work. gets to be like Henry David Thoreau though for adults it’s true as well. Without will be yours? At Tremont we see firsthand the value of bringing exploring their very own personal Walden cultivating a taste for fruits and vegetables, school children into the classroom of Great Smoky Pond. a child may want to eat only candy, and the We shall not cease from exploration, Mountains National Park. Living and learning in the result is a very unhealthy individual. And the end of all our exploring Smokies for more than just a short visit helps children Unmediated Experience It’s with this principle in mind that the Will be to arrive where we started develop ownership of “their” national park. Ken Voorhis National parks also offer experiences National Park Service, instead of trying to And know the place for the first time. We also help them realize that there is “rough ground” GSMIT Executive Director minus a “middle man.” In a wild landscape please every person’s wish by dropping —T.S. Eliot, Four Quartets

Walker Valley Reflections — Spring 2011 2 Walker Valley Reflections — Spring 2011 3 “Boot Up” For Basic Training in Why I Take My Class to Tremont Southern Appalachian Ecology By Linda Williams, teacher, Seymour Community Christian School, Seymour, TN By Sandi Byrd, director of development & public relations

everal years ago I took my first and Ssecond graders to Tremont for a one-day “I really appreciate you’re telling us about things that we did not know. Thank you for making it like o you want to become a better naturalist, graduates. Many others have simply enjoyed sampling field trip. I wanted them to enjoy God’s the best fieldtrip ever. Maybe I will take my kids there and let them learn what I learned, and maybe Dcommunicator, and land steward by learning the some of the classes and learning more about Great Smoky creation and experience the fun of playing they might pass it on to their kids.” – Ben, student, Missouri ecology and natural history of the southern Appalachian Mountains National Park. in a stream and hiking in the mountains. Mountains? There’s no deadline for completion of the program, so You can do just that, and join many others who have you can take the courses at your leisure. You don’t need God has provided. The Tremont staff helps already done so, by participating in our Southern formal training in biological sciences or natural history to “You have taught me so much in the last few days. It was the students see the need for this, and Appalachian Naturalist Certification Program. Through a succeed, so come join a group of curious, nature such a great experience that I will always remember. Seeing provides activities and information to help series of eight core courses, you will learn fundamental enthusiasts (like yourself) for the learning experience of a demonstrate that responsibility. and specialty skills in southern Appalachian ecology and lifetime! everything here has really opened my eyes to what is really Another objective is teamwork. I want the interpretive techniques. Here’s what participants are saying about this program: out there. Now I think nature rocks!” students to learn to depend on each other Since the program began in 2008, we have had 25 and work as a team. Again the staff provides – Cassie, student, Mississippi opportunities for the students to do this. The many curriculum activities provide even more learning opportunities. The “After completing this incredible certification, I was “I have volunteered over 1,500 hours of service Little did I know what doors this one ourses for the students step back in history with a visit to immediately offered a full internship (12 weeks) with the to Great Smoky Mountains National Park helping day would open. Southern Greenbrier or the Walker Sisters' home, take C GSMNP Sugarlands Visitor Center. I found that rangers visitors at the Sugarlands Visitor Center, A couple of years later I moved Appalachian Naturalist and the VIP staff all praised this program and depended developing and presenting formal interpretive up to 4th and 5th graders, and we part in citizen science activities such as Certification Program upon my naturalist skills to assist them at the natural history programs to the public, returned for a winter stay of three tagging Monarch butterflies, and even cover ecological information desk as well as interpreting programs and conducting informal roving programs (bear days. Experiencing the mountains in experience art and drama activities and communities, plant hikes.” – Cynthia Beal safety, etc.) and a host of other projects the winter was new, and we found times of reflection in Cades Cove. identification, birds, supporting the park. I am an Adopt-a-Trail that the mountains offered many Great Smoky Mountains Institute at mammals, reptiles and volunteer leader. I have hiked over 7,000 miles surprises in January. Tremont is truly a blessing and enables this amphibians, stream in the park. In 2010, I became a seasonal park We have returned since in the teacher to get her students out of the ecology, the history of ranger in RED/PAC where I have helped

ilver classroom and into God’s wonderful

fall, and this year we will come in S introduce over 5,000 K-12 students to the nature study, creations. natural world around them. SANCP has helped April for a spring adventure. The ary interpretation, and M me to accomplish this directly with its program same children will be coming this other skills necessary content and indirectly by inspiring me to time, because I have moved up with children to Tremont and have not been to an educational “Our annual class trip to Tremont always continue learning more about natural history on them and we enjoy comparing the difference disappointed. My first objective is for the naturalist. my own. My goal is to help inspire and develop solidifies the biology lessons that our each season makes. students to develop a sense of responsibility To qualify for the the next generation of environmental stewards students learn the previous year. Being out I have many objectives when I take the to be good stewards of the beautiful world non-credit Southern of the Smokies.” – Lloyd Luketin on the trails and experiencing first hand the Appalachian Naturalist wildlife and vegetation in the Smokies is such a new experience for our students. It is Certificate, you must something that they never forget—a complete all eight “Our kids learn so much about nature and working together, but the most important thing I see is highlight of the high school experience.” r c hives growth in self-confidence and esteem. Tremont does so much for everyone—but most importantly our

core courses. Students A kids' image of themselves is changed forever.” – Keith, assistant principal, North Carolina – Tonya, teacher, Michigan not enrolled in the “I work at Coffee County Central High School certification program G S M IT and have been able to use the knowledge gained from the wonderful classes at Tremont may take courses in several ways. In biology class I am amazed individually. “I began hiking all of the trails in Great Smoky Mountains at the information I can share with both Courses are held at National Park in late 2009 and writing an online blog of students and instructors on minute details Tremont Awarded Grant for Great Smoky the experience. Plants are my focus, yet the overall about the natural world. My grandchildren are Mountains Institute at natural history scope of SANCP has definitely broadened amazed that Nana knows so many bird species Climate Change Workshop Tremont with field and informed my understanding of the larger landscape, and how a frog eats or a snake senses prey. My work throughout Great allowing me to reflect more of the park’s nature in my interpretive skills have been greatly enhanced Smoky Mountains writing. As part of this endeavor, I volunteered with both by my Tremont classes, and now instead of just National Park. the bird banding and monarch butterfly tagging activities showing, I am able to enhance my presentations remont has received a grant for $30,000 from the Institute, Headlands Institute, and Santa Monica at GSMIT in 2010.” – Margie Hunter with more information.” – Ann Lendley Participants may TNational Parks Foundation as part of a collaboration Mountains Institute), North Cascades Institute in commute from home between the Foundation, the Will Steger Institute, and Washington, and Mississippi River Fund in Minnesota or stay onsite, and all three other institutes similar to Tremont. (supporting Mississippi National River & meals are provided. The Southern Appalachian Naturalist Certification Program is made possible through a partnership between Great Smoky The other institutes are NatureBridge in California and Mountains Institute at Tremont and the University of Tennessee. Washington (includes Yosemite Institute, Olympic Park continued on page 12

Walker Valley Reflections — Spring 2011 4 Walker Valley Reflections — Spring 2011 5 Director John DiDiego and Executive Director • Social media continues to grow as a useful Our Supporters Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont Ken Voorhis. Ken, who was a presentor, tool for sharing information and alerting We owe much of our success this year to all 2010 Annual Report represented non-formal educators. participants about programs and activities. those who supported our efforts. This support • Program staff exhibited at the National Tremont Facebook fans went from 521 fans enabled us to continue to offer programs to both Science Teachers’ Association. in 2009 to 1,291 at the end of 2010. children and adults, develop new initiatives, and provide increased financial aid. • Partnering with NatureBridge, North Grounds and Facilities Support income comes from many sources, as reat Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont We also have a wonderfully qualified and • Several new programs were created, Cascades Institute, and the National Parks We continue to seek out ways to make you will recognize on pages 8 and 9. provides in-depth experiences through committed board of directors that continues to including: Climate Change Weekend, UGA G Foundation, program staff created a Climate improvements to our campus that will enhance Dick Ray, former president of Tremont’s board educational programs that celebrate ecological help us develop, shape, and bring about an Teacher Quality Workshop, and Home Change curriculum for use by teachers in the Tremont experience. Numerous projects were and chair of our major donor campaign for the and cultural diversity, foster stewardship, and exciting vision for Tremont’s future. Educators’ Week. parks and classrooms. completed in addition to routine grounds and past two years, led us to another record year for nurture appreciation of Great Smoky Mountains • Education Director John DiDiego contributed facilities maintenance. this program. These gifts added to other annual National Park. Other Key Accomplishments Summer Youth Programs: to the development of a Tennessee • Alcoa volunteers helped install a new gifts made throughout the year, brought the 2010 The following are highlights from 2010: • The Environmental Assessment for Tremont • A talented summer staff left at the end of Environmental Literacy Plan and served on entrance roof over the main door to the annual fund total to $101,913 or 106% of our facilities was completed. the summer more knowledgeable and even activity center. goal. Executive Summary more energized, as a result of the positive the Tennessee Environmental Education • The park, Friends of the Smokies, and the Association board. Our special thanks go to Alcoa Foundation, the In-depth residential environmental education environment created and sustained by • Walmart executives from around the country Tremont board began work on a fundraising Heinrich Family Foundation, Cornerstone programs at Tremont reached 5,837 people. Since summer leadership. • Special Programs Coordinator Jeremy Lloyd volunteered their time to help build a new agreement and the beginning of plans for a Foundation, Clayton Family Foundation, First residential programs are several days or more, contributed to the public’s understanding of information/interpretive kiosk outside the capital campaign to complete the first • Two-dozen girls attended our second Girls In Tennessee Foundation, and Trust Company for our impact is better translated into 21,119 user the history of Walker Valley through his book dormitory. phase of our campus redevelopment project Science Camp (funded by Toyota). their continued support. Allocations from Great days and 175,288 program hours. We served 79 A Home in Walker Valley. Since its • A new foot log to Girl Scout Island was built and to increase our endowment. Revenues • Partnering with the Emerald Youth Smoky Mountains National Park and Toyota school groups from 12 states. 135 children publication in 2009, this book has been with help from a number of volunteers. from this endowment will be used to fund Foundation, a new JustLead Day Camp provided funding for Girls in Science, Smoky attended summer programs and 1,155 attended distributed to dozens of schools, as well as scholarships and special program program was launched. • The Spruce Fir Room in the activity center Mountain Science Teacher Institute, JustLead Day adult programs including our Southern being available to the public through park initiatives, and to assure that we can received a major facelift with added Camp, and other programs. Appalachian Naturalist Certification program that stores and the Tremont web site. maintain and operate improved facilities. Citizen Science: windows, energy efficient lighting, and Great Smoky Mountains Association again had 15 graduates. The infusion of citizen science into all of our • Staff initiated planning for the 2011 annual insulation, using sustainable products for donated the profits from the store at Tremont, and In addition to residential users, we had contact • A new cooperative agreement between programming sets Tremont apart from most other conference of the Association of Nature these improvements. Friends of the Smokies designated a portion of with 785 people through outreach activities, 255 Tremont and Great Smoky Mountains organizations in the field of environmental Center Administrators (ANCA), which will be the funds raised through their annual Swag through citizen science, and a record of 13,270 National Park was signed. • All areas of the dormitory were sealed and/or education. Through citizen science projects, we hosted by Tremont in August of 2011. (see Country Inn event. through our visitor center, for a total of 20,147 painted. collect data and expose participants to the world page 10 for more information.) In-Kind services and donations made our people contacted. Programming of field science as they become scientists seeking • New bunks were purchased for the entire special events possible. A list of these special We were able to distribute a record $69,913 in Our Program Leadership Team continues to • The Tremont web site underwent a total answers to questions in ecology. These projects dormitory, with over half installed by year- donors is on page 9. financial aid. These funds consisted of $38,063 develop with increased confidence, coordination, overhaul, with the “new and improved” web are integrated into our programming in such a end. Thanks again to each and every one of you for in needs-based scholarships, $8,390 for Science and oversight of programs. site premiering in November. More way that schools, summer campers, and adult your interest, your leadership, your participation, Teacher Institute participants, and $23,460 in In 2010, 79 schools from 12 states attended information and more opportunities for • Wood floors in the Cove Room and dining participants all get a taste of this fascinating and your support. Your gifts help to assure that park designated grant funds, mostly from Toyota, our school programs. Attendance held steady in interaction are now available for our site hall were refinished. world of inquiry and field science. the next generation understands and protects our to support participants in our JustLead Day Camp spite of hearing numerous comments from visitors. public lands. program with the Emerald Youth Foundation, Girls schools about tight budgets, financial needs of students, and continued pressures to meet tighter Other Programs /Initiatives in Science Camp, Science Teacher Institute, • Our annual Appalachian Celebration was standards in the classroom. Climate Change and Lichen teacher workshops. held at Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Sales were good especially in comparison with School Program Highlights: Center in Townsend, with storyteller other park bookstores. Gross sales for the year • Over 60 teachers are now participating in Elizabeth Rose and music by Jill Pair and were $129,605 for a net of $72,598 in profits, our informal Teacher Advisory Group. the Mountain Shadow Band. There were 314 ATTENDANCE FINANCIAL which are donated back to Tremont from Great • A Guide to Cooperative Teaching was created in attendance. Total residential participants 5,837 Earned income 87% Smoky Mountain Association and help to fund our to help teachers prepare for their role, and programs. • Homecoming brought 181 individuals to Youth programs 4,682 Program fees $1,092,077 to help staff focus on how cooperative In spite of a continued sluggish economy, we Tremont to have dinner on the grounds, bid • Students 3,964 Net sales $72,598 teaching should work. met our budget due to staff efforts to recruit on silent auction items, and listen to Bill • Teachers/adult leaders 718 Increase in investments $2,451 Landry of "The Heartland Series" tell stories groups, reduce expenses, and raise necessary • Once again, we worked with Dr. Bob Powell Adult programs 1,155 TOTAL earned income $1,167,126 support income. We also completed $50,190 in at Clemson University to conduct an of Walker Valley, the area now known as capital improvements. evaluative study of our program in Tremont. $18,786 was raised to support Program user days 21,119 Support income 13% comparison with all curriculum-based scholarships for students to attend Tremont Program user hours 175,288 Program fees subsidized $56,863 Staff and Board educational programs offered in the national programs. Citizen Science 255 Other support income $122,014 Our greatest resource is our staff, and we park. • The Great Smoky Mountains Scavenger Hunt Outreach 785 TOTAL support income $178,877 continue to strengthen our team and enhance our hosted 17 teams into the park, introducing • For the first time, the lead instructors for all Park visitors (in visitor center) 13,270 Total income (operating) $1,346,003 abilities through staff development and effective Southern Appalachian Certification participants to many places in Great Smoky hiring. Two key members of the education team— Programs (SANCP) were Tremont core staff. Mountains National Park that they had never Total impacts 20,147 Expenses (operating) $1,320,698 our school program and citizen science Three of the eight courses have been seen. It also raised just over $2,000 for Number of groups 119 Capital expense $50,190 coordinators—left us for other opportunities. A accepted as Criteria I workshops for the scholarships. • Youth 3-day 62 Endowment (current value) $1,209,952 search for well-qualified replacements occurred North Carolina Environmental Education • The Governor’s Summit on Children and the toward the end of the year, and new employees • Youth 5-day 27 Financial aid Certification Program. Outdoors was attended by Education filled these positions in January. • Adult 30 • 594 students received $38,063

Walker Valley Reflections — Spring 2011 6 Walker Valley Reflections — Spring 2011 7 J. Paul Moore Patti Edwards Michael & Felicia Carleton Swafford Scott Warwick In-Kind Dancing Bear Lodge Miss Lily’s Café & The Tomato Head John Mueller Ralph Egli Phillips McIntosh Michael & Cyd Tarrier Steve Watts Lois Alexander Dandy Lions Gifts Catering Thomas Boyd Clothing Tom & Eva Murphy Steven & Karen Daniel & Lizette McKaig Glenn Thompson Miriam Weiner Szubin Appalachian Ballet Dick’s Sporting Goods Missy Kane & Covenant Trillium Cove Home & THANK YOU! Robert & Renee Ellingson Paul McKown Tracy Trenkamp Andy Welshan Company Eagle Distributing Health Garden …to the many generous individuals, organizations, and O’Connor Melinda Ethier Joseph & Karen Phil Trick Dan & Theresa White Apple Cake Tea Room Fightmaster Fly Fishing M. J. Montgomery Turkey Creek Woodworks companies who helped support Tremont in 2010. Without you, we Herbert & Beverly Ogle Diane Etsweiler McNamara William Truex Jim & Sally Williams Aubrey’s Restaurant Gracie’s Restaurant O’Charlie’s Restaurant Vienna Coffee Company would not be able to serve the thousands of students and adults Charles Purkey Ruth Ewald Isabel Meisler Gregory Tucker Robert Wilson Auto Pro Great Smoky Mountains Olive Garden Watts Bar Belle each year in this awesome place. Mary Rahner Eileen Fielding Jennifer Moore Michael Turley Priscilla Wilson Janet & Tim Bigelow Association Pizza Kitchen Riverboat We hope you will continue your support in 2011. You can donate Stephanie Ramsey Robert & Ruth Fitterer Robert Moore Bob Turner Christie Wolf Big Frog Expeditions Great Smoky Mountains Regions Bank WBIR-TV Knoxville Aaron Mulroy Heritage Center Smoky Mountain WDVX online through our secure store site at www.gsmit.org/donate.html. Christi & Ted Ridley Kenlyn Foster-Spence Patricia Twilla Mitchell & Jenny Blue Moon Cruises Ricki Robbins Andrew & Linda Ann Munson Terry Uselton Workman Brown’s Creek Wine & Home Video Studio Discovery WebKnitter, LLP Gary & Karyn Rolfe Franklin Colleen Murray Sean Uthe Elizabeth Yang Spirits Jon’s Golf Carts Tennessee Valley Winery Willow Ridge Garden Kenneth & Sally Sargent Carolyn Franks Cecil & Roberta Nelson Liana Vitali Alex Young Clayton Center for the Knoxville News Sentinel Suzanne Terrill Center Dan & Rosemary Cap Troy Sellers Elizabeth French Kathy Newman Tom & Christy Walsh John & Mary Zanichelli Arts Luxbury Inn & Suites The Home Depot WonderWorks Donations Steve & Margaret Carr Michael Frome Anthony & Rosemary From 1/1/10 to 12/31/10: Donna Sherwood Jay Casselberry Cindi Smith-Walters William Froschauer, Jr. Nichols Jeff & Vicki Chapman Debby Nuchols $25,000 & above William B. & Carol Victoria Soderberg Rose Gaertner Nicolas Qualman Elizabeth Shoecraft Jack Walter Richard Chinn Denny O’Neal Friends of the Smokies Leichsenring Dresser Shawn & Kristin Spindel Bill Gazda Science Research Amanda Rader Mary Silver Lauren Walter Allen Coggins Nancy Olsen Great Smoky Mountains Foundation Jeffrey Spitzer Kate Gilbert Buddy Randolph Debbie Simmons Olivia Walter Ray (Bucky) Colclough & Other Volunteers Association Woodpickers Stalcup Benefits Meredith Goins Henry & Marguerite Debbie Randolph Rodney Smith Will Walter Cyndie & Warren Oswald From 1/1/10 to 12/31/10: Company Carmen Gonzalez Joe Randolph Jake Spanyer Grace Ward Cornelius Robert & Carolyn $10,000 to $24,999 $500 to $999 Maryann Stupka Alyson Gourley Lydia Reese Margot Spore G. G. Ward Sam & Mechelle Crowe Palermo Michael Adams Alex Durand Julie Labhart Bill Cobble Agnes Bouton Don & Martha Tarah Green Nadine Rhea Dennis Sput Greg Ward Joseph M. & Sue Ashley Anderson Heather Durtschi Nathan Lange Cornerstone Foundation Foothill Striders Sundquist John Greer Amber Parker Dawson Greg Anderson & wife Jodi Eanes Patria Leath Adele Richardson Bill Steiner Maggie Ward National Park Steve & Sue Kiefer Gary Teper Angela Gruetzmann Bob & Janis Patterson Mary Dresser Charlotte Appleton K. Esterly Joan Lenning Amelia Richardson Alissa Stewart Tommy Ward Foundation Bill & Marion Oliphant David Unsell Leslie Hadaway Jerry & Joan Paul Don Dunning Rich Ashmore Lois English Misty Lecault Ava Richardson Brandi Stewart Libby Weithnauer Edward Pershing Georgiana Vines Bill Hammond Niels & Pat Petersen Mamie & Rindall Linda Atchley Judy Ferguson Teri Lecault Charlotte Richardson Dalton Stewart Frank Whetstone $2,500 to $9,999 Daniel Ray Judy Voght Laura Hammons Linda Petrosky Dunston Jarrett Bailey Valerie Flachbart Meredith Liemohn Evelyn Richardson Doug & Charlene Stacy Whetstone ALCOA John Woodell Ken & Jennifer Voorhis Gail Harris Louise Presley Ginny Elliott Gray Barrett Buster Flynn Ted Lister Rowen Richardson Stewart John & Kathy Wilbanks Tutt Bradford Gary & Sandy Wade Michael & Lora Harvey Kevin Price Darrel Ellis Cindy Beal Doug Franklin Michelle Lotti Russell Richardson Brandon Stucks Portland Wilbanks Randy & Jenny Boyd $250 to $499 Eileen Wilson Linda Hatcher Erna Prickett Barbara Foglesong Diane Benson Grace Franklin Glenn Marshall Chris Rigell Suzanne Terrell Mary Wilson Clayton Family Jack Burgin Geoff & Pat Wolpert Roy & Patricia Heifner Sarah Ray Steven Foster Janet Bigelow Maggie Franklin Joanne Marshall Ellen Rigell Danielle Tidel Joan Worley Foundation Henry & Marty Douglas & Sara Yoakley Sharon Heinrich Sol Resnick Ansley Fox Catlin Blair Bob Frink Amanda Mauro Juli Rigell Anthony Trenkamp Alie Zennie Herb Coleman Callaway Nicholas Young Courtney Hendricks Cathy Rhodes Marilyn Frank Matthew Blair Martha Frink Nicole Mauro Taylor Rinehart Ryan Trenkamp John Zennie Edwin Dale Michael Campbell Mark & Mary Gay Glenn Rice Nathan Blair Griffin Gains Hyland McCarty Ariane Roland Samantha Trenkamp Robert Zennie First Tennessee Liz Coburn Beth Giddens Under $100 Henegar Gary Rice Vanessa Blair Elizabeth Gerbert Taylor McCarty Devin Roland Jaime Tuttle Robin Zennie Foundation Charlie & Debie Hanie Richard Ginkowski Eddie & Ola Abbott Thomas Hollister Gertrude & Louis Rizzi Mitch Brockman Mike Goins Janet McCullough Micah Roland Terry Uselton Heinrich Family Jim & Janet Hart C. Keith Goff Cherie Adcock Patricia Holobaugh Julie Rochelle Patrick Brukiewa Hayden Golbreath Aliviah McGuire Clara Ross Roberto Vazquez Americorp Foundation Dave & Debra Hensley David Goldberg Don & Lois Alexander Tim & Mary Lou Holt Marilyn Rogers David Byrd Joe Gorman Ireland McGuire Enid Rowe Karen Van Son & family Experience Your Smokies Sherri Lee John Johnson Brian Groenhout Barbara Allen Barry Huffstetler David & Lisa Rogers Dick & Sandi Byrd Betty Greer Issiah McGuire Tom Rozman Vincent Van Son Maryville College The Trust Company Bill & Brenda Johnson Mike Gross Andrei Barasch Sandi Hughes Elizabeth Rogers Kristina Byrd Marguise Greer Joy McGuire Owen Schumacher Jeanie Van Winkle Master Gardener’s Club Carolyn King Henry & Debbie Guigou Dean & Betty Barber Lora Irwin Carolyn Rogers Lily Cason Mike Gross Rob McGuire Aubre Sciamarke Ken Voorhis Pre-College Upward $1,000 to $2,499 Neal & Pat Linhardt Herb Handly Jeff & Susan Barnes Jolanda Jansma Jerry & Betty Roper Cindy Clabo Charlie Hanie Solomon McGuire Gar, Keane, & Richard Brenda Walter Bound Cathy Ackermann Terry & Sue Maddox Cale Hanie Vi Biehl Barry & Colleen Jones Kim Cleary Sadler Sarah Clabo Saif Hamidi Sophia McGuire Secrist Gracie Walter Walmart Stores Bob & Karen Anderson Debra McCarter Jim & Natalie Haslam Steve Bieritz William & Jennifer Paul & Jeanne Sanders Debbie Claypool Jim Hands Dan McMahon Tim & Janet Bigelow Sandy & Bob Merriman Jan Heinrich Ernie Blankenship Kaduck William (Bill) Schneider Kevin Clupper Melba Harmon Joshua McMahon Jim & Kati Blalock Nantahala Outdoor Gary & Sherry Hensley Violette Blumenthal Heather Karnes Paul Schuch Boeing Matching Gift Center Ray & Carol Hils William & Phyllis Wally Kelley Jim & Liz Schumacher Michelle Clupper Foust Haverkamp Melody McMahon Leave a Lasting Legacy Program Robert Reily Eric Hoeppner Braddock Kevin Kennard Richard & Spain Secrist Sam Cooper Frits Haverkamp Sheila McMahon Sandi & Dick Byrd E. Lee Rice, Jr. Bud Hopkins Tom Bruce Kathleen Kerin Jerry & Diane Joy Coursey Malon Haverkamp Stu & Sarah McNeill ou have an opportunity to leave a lasting legacy that speaks of who Crum & Blazer Peter & Trudy Shea Rick Houlk David Butts Donell Kerns Shackelford Lee Coursey Jonas Holdeman Karen Metcalf Yyou are and what you hope for those you leave behind. Making a Insurance Charlene Stewart Sara Hoyle Virginia Carroll Clifford & Ruth Kirk Charlotte Sharp Sherri Coursey Andrea Hudson Maggie Milburn planned gift gives you the tool to make a meaningful statement about Larry & Beth Dicus Barry & Jeanie Renee Hyatt Earnest & Jane Carson Judy Kito Georgia Shuck Meg Crafton Elizabeth Hudson Ruth Milburn what you love and cherish. Marvin Hammond VanWinkle Homer & Betty Isbell Jim Casey Julie Labhart John Simpson Melissa Crisp Olivia Hudson Timothy Milburn If Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont means something Mechelle Crowe Becky Huffer Bonnie Millard Bill & Patricia Irby John & Kathy Wilbanks Judith Johns Mike & Connie Clemmer Ray Lamping Penny Smith special to you, you can signify that connection with something as Christopher Jackson Malcolm & Barbara Sam Crowe Emily Huffer Kara Miller Sarah Cook Bill & Becky Landry Jim Smith simple as a gift through your will. You might have a specific amount in Rick Johnson Johnson Charlie & Susie Smith Wendi Cruice Mike Huffer Isabelle Morstatt $100 to $249 Sara Crum Edwina & Terence mind or you may want to designate a percentage of the remainder of Maribel Koella Roy & Paulette Aaron Elton Jones Philip & Diane Cupelli Lawler Mark & Janet Snyder Jim Cunningham Rachel Huffer Joseph Morstatt your estate once you’ve taken care of your heirs. Fred Lawson Carol Alette Paul Keidel Bev Dalia Phyllis Lee Richard & Linda Sohn Leana Cunningham Margie Hunter Leslie Morstatt David & Sandy Martin Duane & Cindy Allen Howard Kerr Heather Davis Stella Lee Dennis Spjut Breanna Daniells Bill & Pat Irby Steve & Kristen Mosher The following is an example of the language that can be included in Conley & Carolyn Grady Amann Shirley Kerr Jeff & Judy Deardorff Jack & Elsie Leider Margot Spore Elizabeth Davis Jolanda Jansma Amy Nelson your will: Murrell Jane Arseneau Lois Klein Ron Dew Phil Lovelace John & Jan Spruill Karen Davis Doc Johnson Emily Nelson I give and bequeath to Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont, Pershing, Yoakley & Charles Douglas Barber Bob Lash Steve Diamond Lloyd Luketin Vic & Connie Stacy Mary Davis Beth Kayfus Hannah Nelson a non-profit organization (Tax ID #62-1833479), located at 9275 Associates Missy Kane Bemiller Patria Leath Glenn Doig Eric McArtor Gloria Stafford Michael Davis John Kapustay Joan Nelson Tremont Road, Townsend, TN 37882, for its general purposes, the sum Dick Ray Jennifer Bostick Stan LeQuire Joe Dreimiller Michelle McCuistion John G. Stallings Danielle Delflorio Anne Keim Ashley Newman of ______dollars -OR- ___% of my residuary estate. Wes & Liz Stowers Robert & Martha Ann John DiDiego David Keim Robert Ogelsby Julie Brown Kermit Duckett Tom McDonald Jerry & Sharon Stiner For more information about making a planned gift, contact Sandi Carl Van Hoozier, Jr. McDermott Alexis Dubbs Ellen Keim David Ownby Patrick & Fae Burkhart Mariana Eddy Sandy McHone Paul & Anna Catherine Byrd at [email protected] or call (865) 448-9732 Ext 24. Betty Voorhis Alice Cannon Jane Qualls McGuire Edwin Edgerton Super Hayden Dubler Owen Keim Drew Panter Kathryn McNeil Monty Dubler Will Kilgore Mary Ellen Pautler

Walker Valley Reflections — Spring 2011 8 Walker Valley Reflections — Spring 2011 9 Tremont to Host National Other 2010 Highlights ANCA Meeting in August By Sandi Byrd, director of development & public relations hese few photos give you just a quick look at some of the other activities that made 2010 another great year at TTremont. For more information on these programs or any of our programs, go to www.gsmit.org or contact us at [email protected]. remont has been selected to host the annual Summit of there is some free time during the conference to explore Tthe Association of Nature Center Administrators the national park and surrounding area. (ANCA) on August 17-20. This is the first time the group Tremont is excited to has met at Tremont since it co-hosted the event with Ijams bring this group back to the Nature Center in 1998. national park and back to ANCA is an international network of nature and Tennessee. It’s a great environmental learning center leaders. The association is opportunity to share not dedicated to bringing the best practices in the field to only what we are doing at directors of nature centers, outdoor education centers, and Tremont, but to shine the environmental learning centers. spotlight on our national Each summer the group meets at various locations park and this part of the throughout the United States. Summits are structured to country. encourage ANCA was information founded two decades ago when the people sharing, mentoring, who ran nature and environmental learning training, and centers began getting together to share ideas, professional experiences, and hard-won professional networking. wisdom. Workshops and ANCA is now an international network of facilitated sessions nature and environmental learning center yr d B i c k

are a combination leaders designed to enhance professionalism D of best practices and provide the support system critical to from industry innovative and progressive management. veterans and fresh The Association of Nature Center

advice on dealing oorhis Administrators is a private nonprofit V

with today’s organization created solely of and for leaders tyles S

ennifer challenges. in the nature center profession, and is the ave J A variety of post- only such organization in the United States. D Summit trips are Ken Voorhis, Charlene Stewart, and John DiDiego attended the For more information about the (clockwise) Appalachian Celebration, Homecoming also being planned 2010 Northwoods Summit at Treehaven Environmental Learning conference, please visit our web site at Center in Tomahawk, Wisconsin. They were there to enjoy and speaker Bill Landry of "The Heartland Series" and Ken for participants to learn, but also to encourage participants to come to the Smokies http://www.gsmit.org/anca2011.html. Voorhis, Smoky Mountains Science Teachers Institute, choose from, as well in 2011. Girls in Science Camp, Scavenger Hunt, (inset) as making sure Wilderness First Responder r c hives Thanks, Mom! A

his Mother’s Day, when you pay tribute to your mom, you special person by making a gift in her honor to Tremont’s , G S M IT nset can also help others celebrate her life through a gift to scholarship fund. In this way, you will be giving the gift of I T ;

Tremont. education to a child who otherwise might not experience the ast Your mom is probably the most important person with Great Smoky Mountains and all that it can teach them. G onna

whom you’ll ever come in contact. She taught you Mom will love you even more for it, and so will the child , D

everything from how to tie your shoes to which fork to use who benefits from your generosity. i g ht R at dinner. She taught you how to share yourself with others For more information on how to make a gift in tribute or ; avis

by sharing herself with you. honor, go to gsmit.org/donor. D r c hives osh A

This Mother’s Day (May 8th) pay tribute to this very , J i dd le G S M IT M

Walker Valley Reflections — Spring 2011 10 Walker Valley Reflections — Spring 2011 11 Tremont Awarded What Does the Tremont Grant... Tremont Transitions Mission Mean to Me? continued from page 5 Welcome Jennie and Tiffany!! By John DiDiego, education director Recreation Area). By John DiDiego, education director The grant is an outgrowth of the Foundation’s Parks Climate Challenge program that works to educate students uring an all-staff training session, this question was posed to our staff. We regarding climate change using national uring the last half of 2010, Tremont said firefighter. There she met her husband and educational programs. Dallowed everyone to head out into the park to sit and reflect on this. When parks as classrooms. D‘so long’ to a couple of long-time staff together they purchased a small farm and She was born and raised in Roanoke, VA they came back, each person, from the kitchen staff to the office staff, shared The model that will be developed by and major shapers of our programs—Jen had two beautiful daughters (Olivia, 5 & and earned her BS in Wildlife Science from their answers. this collaboration will consist of two Martin and Josh Davis. With these big shoes Morgan, 3). Virginia Tech in 2003 and her MS, also in This exercise was so powerful and thought provoking, I thought it would be delivery systems. The first is an to fill, we set about to hire two new folks She continued to work part-time for a Wildlife Science, from the University of great to share them with a wider audience, so you can get a sense of the in-person teacher training that will be worthy of the roles of school program variety of environmental education Tennessee, Knoxville in 2008. conviction and seriousness of purpose we bring to our work. Below is a selection conducted this summer at each institute, coordinator and citizen science coordinator. organizations in the community until she Her graduate research was part of a of answers—enjoy! and the second is the development of an We reviewed took over as full-time program multi-state effort to assess the effects of on-line component that any teacher can hundreds of applicants supervisor for an Early Learning forest management on Cerulean Warblers. use to self-train and access resources and narrowed them down Center. She lived the life of an itinerant biologist for necessary for teaching climate change to two folks, and I am She enjoys gardening, saving a while between schools and has Providing opportunities to children and adults to experience the pleased to introduce heirloom seeds, watercolor participated in avian research in Tennessee, outdoors in the best example of the natural world in the entire country. in the classroom. The teacher trainings from these them as the newest painting, fishing, cooking, and Canada, Mexico, the Galapagos Islands of – Sandi Byrd, director of development and public relations climate change workshops will utilize members of our program martial arts. She also enjoys Ecuador, Venezuela, and Missouri. She and teach common resources and leadership team. singing, music, laughing with became quite addicted to Cerulean Warblers principles, but each institute will also friends, and spending time with and continued to follow them to all parts of

ey utilize and teach additional principles Jennie McGuigan family. their global range. She spent the past year K and resources unique to their region. Jennie is no stranger Her passion and working as a private lovin i c hele

to our programs because S

M It means providing people with At Tremont, the training will take experience working with lands wildlife place during the annual Smoky she was a teacher/ schools and her biologist in

a place to learn about nature arieke with the hope that it’s not a Mountains Science Teacher Institute, naturalist from 2000- M knowledge in Smithfield, VA. We provide opportunities one-time experience. June 20-25. In its eighth year, this 2001. She joined our environmental science Tiffany is for rediscovering, – Mary Dresser, program attracts teachers from around team in January and is working hard to learn education will be a fantastic addition delighted to be back enjoying and exploring. program specialist the country and for one week immerses the current program and get reacquainted to the quality programming at in east Tennessee, r c hives

And in the process, we A them in the biological diversity of the with the area. Tremont. She looks forward to getting and thinks it is enrich people’s lives and Smokies. She was born in Jacksonville, FL and her family settled in Maryville, appropriate that she

make them more capable G S M IT Participating teachers will not only spent most of her childhood mucking about learning more about the community, now lives directly in of living lightly and in the North Florida/South Georgia marshlands and meeting all of you very soon. the shadow of harmony with the place receive relevant training through the

workshop, but will also be charged with and waterways. As a child, she camped with ewell Cerulean Knob. Her that they live on and The work we do at Tremont builds an educated and N

from. aware community that is rooted in passion, dedication, developing hands-on service projects her family and helped her grandfather on his Tiffany Beachy hobbies include

farm, which nurtured in her a deep love and eli c ity Tiffany comes to us with energy, F bird-watching, – Ken Voorhis, appreciation, and respect. Such a fostered awareness with their students once they return to appreciation for people and nature. enthusiasm, and an extreme fondness executive director encourages positive action through considerate the classroom. These service projects hiking, backpacking, stewardship. will be based on the information derived In 1999, she received a BS in Recreation for all things avian. She knocked our socks kayaking, star-gazing, running, biking, – Caleb Carlton, 1st year teacher/naturalist from the workshop, but not necessarily Management with a concentration in Outdoor off during the interview process and has listening to live music, dancing, cooking, take place within the boundaries of the Experiential Education from Appalachian begun the process of steeping herself in drawing, reading, writing, spending quality national park. This flexibility will allow State University in Boone, NC. After that she Tremont citizen science programs and time with close friends and family, learning, the model the potential of reaching spent three years gaining experience learning how they fit into the overall worshipping God, and just being outside. We provide an essential piece of many more students. working on educational farms, teaching at the human experience—one that The National Park Foundation and the nature centers, and leading backcountry is becoming more and more Will Steger Institute will work with the travel expeditions throughout the United marginalized. institutes throughout to capture the States. What’s Your Story? – Adam Leiterman, One of those fundamental experiences essential training model, curriculum, id you visit Tremont as a child? Maybe you came with a school 2nd year teacher/naturalist resources, and other take-aways that was being a teacher/naturalist at Great oorhis

V group, spent a summer at camp, or worked as a teacher/naturalist Smoky Mountains Institute here at Tremont. D

en will then be used to develop an online

K one season. We want to hear from you! Later, she attended Western Washington resource. Did your Tremont experience inspire you to work in environmental University and graduated in 2004 with a This online component will then education? Have you shared the wonders of the Smokies with others Masters of Education in Natural Science/ Get people outside, exploring, discovering, asking questions, provide the resources needed for any after discovering it for yourself at Tremont? learning, and caring about the natural world. Science Education with a certificate in Non- teacher to develop lessons focused on Email [email protected] and share your story. We’ll be featuring – Dawn Dextraze, 2nd year teacher/naturalist climate change, as well as develop Profit Administration and Leadership.

el b y Tremont alumni in future editions of our newsletters and on our web site. S service projects with their students. After graduate work, she worked for the ate

K North Cascades National Park as a wildland

Walker Valley Reflections — Spring 2011 12 Walker Valley Reflections — Spring 2011 13 Summertime and the Looking Ahead For kids who like exploring Discovery Camps Learning is Easy! In addition to our year-round school programs, we offer youth, family, and adult programs. Visit June 13-18 www.gsmit.org, call (865) 448-6709, or e-mail [email protected] for more information on our offerings! June 27-July 2 atch salamanders… experience experiences offered at Tremont. July 18-23 Cthe awesome power of a Look over the list and see if waterfall… collect insects… hike someone you know is up APRIL great program for beginner or experienced July 11-16, 2011 through wilderness… cool off in the birders—learn to recognize some avian friends by Explore the trails with an experienced teacher/ For kids ready for an extra Le Conte Lodge Weekend swimming hole and laugh sight and by song! naturalist, choosing each day to participate in a challenge April 15-17, 2011 day hike or an enrichment session, all designed for Wilderness Adventure Trek with your new Experience Le Conte Lodge, the highest elevation Cost: $25 friends the professional teacher and amateur naturalist. If June 13-18 lodge in the eastern United States. You'll stay the around the you want to really see the Smokies, this is the June 27-July 2 first night at Tremont, then hike to the top of the JUNE campfire. week for you! Participants should be in good Smokies to enjoy dinner and spend the night at Le Smoky Mountains Science Teacher physical condition and come ready to explore both Investigate Teen High Adventure Conte Lodge. A Tremont teacher/naturalist will Institute the natural history and the natural landscape of old-growth July 18-28 share knowledge of natural history, high elevation June 20-25, 2011 Great Smoky Mountains National Park in a forests, track ecology, and any chance wildlife encounters! Immerse yourself in the biological diversity of the memorable week. black bears, set- Program lasts from supper the first day to late For kids who think science is Smokies and return home with exciting new ideas up field lunch on the last day. Cost: $428 serious fun for involving your students in hands-on science. Backcountry Ecological Expedition experiments, or Cost: $418 Tremont produces this workshop in collaboration SANCP*—Aquatic Natural History climb a June 27-July 2 with the National Park Service and Discover Life in July 13-15, 2011 mountain. Spring Photography Workshop America. Your instructors will include Tremont Water has been called the lifeblood of the Backpack to April 15-18, 2011 staff, NPS educators and scientists, and other Girls in Science Appalachians—it helped shape the mountains Join nationally recognized photographer Bill scientists involved in research in the park. June 13-18 spectacular views, themselves and streams continue to be corridors fall asleep to the Lea and his team of photographers on Program lasts from Monday supper of life in the rich forests of the Smokies. Come Field Ecology Adventure sound of a wild an unforgettable learning experience through Saturday lunch. spend the weekend “immersed” in the waters of in the Smokies. Bill will work with See page July 18-28 mountain stream, 14 for summer Cost: Workshop is offered to teachers the Smokies, exploring the ecology of streams and

you at your skill level and you are for $50 non-refundable registration hnell

understand outdoor c camp listings in learning a great deal about the array of species S

"Everything I did, I had fun doing!” sure to learn something new. This living ethics, and -James, age 14 June & July fee. Contact us for details. that contribute to the diversity of aquatic life.

For science teachers who want weekend is chosen as an ideal time

hary c experience firsthand a to get their class doing science Z to capture the mountains in Cost: $288 the animals and outside springtime. Space is limited so JULY plants that call the Smoky Mountains Science Teacher register now! Smoky Mountains Family Camp Albright Grove Hike Great Smoky Mountains home. to the challenge to come live and July 4-9, 2011 July 13, 2011 Institute Cost: $611 June 20-25 These are just a few of the things learn in Great Smoky Mountains Haven’t decided on a family trip this summer? We The Smokies still harbor some of the old trees that you could be doing this summer if National Park. It will be a summer combine all of the excitement of summer camp made up the forests prior to the logging era. you choose one of the many summer they won’t soon forget. with the fun of a family vacation for Smoky Albright Grove is perhaps the best example of the For grownups who like to hike MAY Mountains Family Camp! This week is fun for all old-growth forest. Come away with a new Teacher Naturalist Week (formerly SANCP*—Birds of the Smokies ages—with hikes and explorations for the understanding and appreciation of what the Naturalist Hiking Week) May 6-8, 2011 What could be better than a weekend of bird energetic, wildlife discoveries for the curious, and Smokies were and what they someday will be July 11-16 Save the Dates! watching? Discover the bird species of the entertainment and relaxation for everyone. We offer again! This will be a seven-mile hike with some southern Appalachians with emphasis on natural choices each day for you to create your own elevation gain. Lunch and trail snacks provided by Albright Grove Old-Growth Hike Appalachian Celebration history of each species. vacation while sharing quality time and making Tremont. July 13 July 15, 2011 Cost: $288 memories for a lifetime. Cost: $30 Get ready for some foot stomping, feel good music and storytelling that will peak your Cost: $1,103 for a family of four ($230 each For grownups who like to imagination and take you away! Once again, Tremont partners with Great Smoky Mountains SANCP*—Plants additional person). Appalachian Celebration learn Heritage Center to bring you and your family and friends the mountain music that will sooth your July 15, 2011 soul and feed your spirit. Relax in the center’s beautiful open-air amphitheatre and enjoy a great May 6-8, 2011 Southern Appalachian Naturalist Great Smoky Mountains is renowned for its plant SANCP*—Reptiles and Amphibians Come celebrate these mountains and the rich evening of family fun. Certification Program diversity—come learn the basics of sorting all of July 11-13, 2011 history of those who settled here. As the sun goes Reptiles and Amphibians Cost: Tickets $5.00 at the door. those species into recognizable taxonomic groups The Smokies boasts a healthy population of down, gather in the open-air theater of the Great July 11-13 and their associated communities. You’ll increase amphibians and reptiles. Although these secretive Smoky Mountains Heritage Center for an evening Homecoming your overall knowledge of plants and learn tips species are not often seen, they are a part of the of entertainment and music. Be mesmerized by Aquatic Natural History September 18, 2011 and tricks for recognizing species and family fabric of diversity that is the hallmark of the storytellers as they charm you with wonderful July 13-15 Remember the old fashioned dinner on the grounds from days gone by? Well, this is even better. groups. Botany has never been more fun! national park. You will be guided through this stories woven with wit, humor, and expressive Good food, good friends, great music and a night to celebrate. Everyone is invited to come and enthusiasm. And don't be shy about tapping your Cost: $288 fascinating hidden world, through presentations, For families who like to spend celebrate over four decades of connecting people and nature. An evening you won’t forget! field trips, and discussions. Learn to identify feet and singing along with traditional mountain time living and learning Cost: Tickets $50 per person. Birdwatching Morning! common species and see some of them close up. music played under the stars. An unforgettable evening! together in the Smokies For more information on either of these events, go to www.gsmit.org or call Heather Davis at (865) May 14, 2011 Cost: $288 Smoky Mountains Family Camp 448-9732, Ext. 14. Bird diversity is at its height during the spring Cost: $5 at the door July 4-9 migration—join Executive Director Ken Voorhis for Teacher Naturalist Week (formerly *Southern Appalachian Naturalist a half-day of birding in Cades Cove. This is a Naturalist Hiking Week) Certification Program

Walker Valley Reflections — Spring 2011 14 Walker Valley Reflections — Spring 2011 15 2010 STAFF 2010 BOARD OF DIRECTORS teacher/naturalists SUMMER PROGRAM education director development/pr president directors Brian Ballenger STAFF John DiDiego assistant Ed Pershing Jack Burgin Caleb Carlton teacher/naturalists Heather Davis Bill Cobble food service director vice president Dawn Dextraze Roslyn Fuhrman David Styles Jim Haslam Steve Foster Cathy Ackermann Adam Leiterman Christopher Jackson backpack instructor sales Christina McCoy Richard Johnson Katherine Selby food service Gary Carpenter secretary Tesha Omeis Maribel Koella Mechelle Crowe Linda Vananda Sandy Martin Mary Silver environmental education Linda Hatcher Robin Turner treasurer Tyson Wepprich interns Sherry McCollum finance assistant Jamie Woodson Kensey Baker Mike Gross Jon Lawler citizen science David McNeill emeritus directors Andrew Handverger coordinator Lisa Russell past president Madelyn Kenny human resource/office Patrick Atkins Josh Davis Emma Lou Willison Dick Ray Zachary Schnell manager Kati Blalock Charlene Stewart Fred Forster school program grounds & facilities science research Sam Crowe Patrick Roddy coordinator executive director interns Ron Hood Jen Martin Ken Voorhis Elizabeth Davis Doc Johnson special program Lydia Reese Look for us on coordinator Keane Secrist assistant office manager Jeremy Lloyd Julie Brown citizen science educator program specialist Bettina Hasty development/pr director Mary Dresser Sandra Byrd Facebook!

Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont is operated in cooperation Did you know that you can receive ? Walker Valley Reflections with Great Smoky Mountains by email? Some people prefer to get this newsletter by email National Park. rather than through regular mail. If you would like to join This newsletter is printed on 100% them, just let us know at [email protected]. You can also find post-recycled paper. Newsletter past newsletters on our website at www.gsmit.org. design concept by Lisa Horstman. KNOW DID Y O U Designed by Shelly Powell.

Program brochures are available by contacting our office: www.gsmit.org • (865) 448-6709 • [email protected]

Non-Profit Org. US Postage PAID Great Smoky Mountains National Park Permit No. 127 9275 Tremont Road Knoxville, TN Townsend, TN 37882