ONLINE: Learn more about Lynn Faust’s firefly worldview research at nature.org/ tennesseefirefly. “We have these big, beautiful Old River, New Park landscapes in West An ancient river in West Virginia is the centerpiece of the Virginia. As we’re United States’ 63rd national park diversifying our GENERATIONS OF WEST VIRGINIANS ecosystem. The Nature Conservancy had economy, we want have adventured in New River Gorge, a hand in acquiring key pieces of property, hiking and boating, fishing and hunting, including land along the iconic New River to find opportunities rafting the whitewater rapids and scaling Gorge Bridge, one of the longest steel that allow both its sandstone cliffs. Now the New River— spans in the Western Hemisphere. one of the continent’s oldest waterways, “[It’s at] the crossroads of the nature and people despite its name—is getting national atten- Appalachians,” says Thomas Minney, to thrive.” tion. In December, more than 70,000 acres executive director for TNC in West Vir- in the southern part of the state officially ginia. “It’s a place where northern and Thomas Minney, became the newest U.S. national park. southern species come together, creat- executive director for TNC in West Virginia The 53-mile stretch of river that runs ing unique habitats and rich biodiversity.” through the new park earned National National park status will protect those NIGHT LIGHTS: Synchronous fireflies blaze trails River status in 1978. Over the years, a roster habitats for the long haul, while enhanced in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. of voices and partners worked together to tourism and outdoor recreation will fuel FACTS & FIGURES further protect the Appalachian Mountains the local economy. —KIRSTEN WEIR 53 MILES OF Firefly Frenzy WHITEWATER A dip in firefly tourism may be benefiting Tennessee lightning bugs RAPIDS THERE ARE ROUGHLY 2,000 SPECIES OF FIREFLIES, EACH Lynn Faust, firefly field guide author and researcher who has with its own characteristic flash pattern that it uses to spent decades studying Photinus carolinus, the synchronous communicate. Some glow in unison as part of their mat- firefly species that inhabits the national park. “More males 1/4- to 7- ing ritual, a natural phenomenon that occurs in a handful and females found one another in the darkness, so more eggs MILE-LONG of places, including the Great Smoky Mountains National were laid and more clutches likely survived.” HIKING Park in Tennessee. Only time will tell, but more important than a temporary TRAILS Unfortunately, the lights of many firefly species are in dan- breather is the ongoing land protection work in the region. ger of flickering out. Threats to the bioluminescent beetles For two decades The Nature Conservancy has partnered include habitat loss, pesticides—and, paradoxically, a grow- with public agencies and private landowners to preserve 1,400 ing firefly tourism industry. Roughly 1 million people seek out more than 10,000 acres connecting portions of national ROCK-CLIMBING the bugs’ dazzling courtship displays each year. Light pollu- forests and state wildlife management areas with the ROUTES tion from headlamps and vehicles can hinder mating success, national park, says Gabby Lynch, director of protection for and pairs that perch on low vegetation are easily trampled. In TNC in Tennessee. “These efforts safeguard key habitat, the Smokies, COVID-19 lockdowns gave the region’s beetles create natural pathways and eliminate threats posed to a 8 a respite. “The events of 2020 surely benefited fireflies,” says number of species, including P. carolinus.” —SARA KAPLANIAK PRIMITIVE CAMPING AREAS Firefly Flash Patterns Photinus carolinus Male fireflies use a Morse code A RIVER FOR EVERYONE: The upper New River boasts long pools of relatively easy rapids, but the lower river 13 of flashing and flying to signal Photinus collustrans packs a punch with sections of Class V whitewater. PUBLIC RIVER to females of their species. Photinus marginellus

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