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Smoky Mountains Wildlife & Biodiversity
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Bat Week Shines a Light on Smokies’ Endangered Bats
by Aaron Searcy
This year’s Bat Week (Oct. 24–31) comes at a time when bats in the Great Smoky Mountains are particularly busy. Hibernating species will continue to feed as much as possible in anticipation of the long winter ahead, and on cool fall evenings, bats may swarm in groups to find a mate or locate safe places to
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Lichens of the Smokies Revealed at Science at Sugarlands
James Lendemer loves lichens. He loves talking about them, showing pictures of them, and telling others what lichens are and how they are important.
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Species-a-Day Calendar puts park biodiversity at people’s fingertips
A new Species-a-Day perpetual flip calendar available now in Great Smoky Mountains National Park visitor centers allows park enthusiasts to learn more about a place renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life on each day of this and all years to come.
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Science at Sugarlands: Post-fire Plant-Soil Interactions
By Frances Figart, creative services director
Soil is the foundation of our planet. We walk on top of it every day, yet most of us rarely think about it.
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Science at Sugarlands: Grassy Balds
Mysterious and haunting, Southern Appalachian grassy balds have long fascinated scientists and hikers alike. How many balds are there in the Smokies? How did they evolve? How do they support rare plants? Can balds be found in other parts of the world?
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Little Sluice of Heaven: Creek Crossings and Crippling Critters
By Lisa Duff
When Great Smoky Mountains Association volunteer hike guide Lloyd Shiver suggested we knock out two trails with significant creek crossings this summer, I thought, “Can’t ask for a better time to cool off in the Smokies than late June and July.” Add to that the fact boat rides would be required to cross Fontana Lake at the conclusion of each, I jumped at the chance to join in.
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Curiosity Cabinet: Hickory Horned Devils become Regal Moths
By Peyton Proffitt
This month, curiosity drew me to the remarkable collection of insects housed at the Twin Creeks Science and Education Center. At first, I was overwhelmed by the number, age and diversity of the specimens, but after a few minutes, I decided to focus on specimens that made me think, “Oh, how pretty!”
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Studies Offer Insights into Behaviors of Park Bears
By Steve Kemp
Four research projects focused on bears in the Great Smoky Mountains are currently underway or have recently been completed. Of the four, the results of two are troubling, one is encouraging, and on the last, it’s too early to tell.
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Curiosity Cabinet: Hellbenders
By Peyton Proffitt
Growing up in a gateway community, I spent most of my childhood summers swimming in the rivers of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Some of my happiest memories are of looking for salamanders with my friends and sketching the specimens in my notebook. For my first Curiousity Cabinet entry, I decided to feature the biggest salamander of all: the hellbender.
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DLiA’s Science at Sugarlands Focuses on Fish Restoration
By Frances Figart
Part of the mission of any national park is protecting and restoring species that were once native. Restoring native fish is an exciting area of Smokies science that goes unseen by those who are not swimming or snorkelling in park waters.
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