Walker Valley
The newsletter of Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont Spring 2013
Reflections
IN THIS EDITION
A Tremont Experience - Better Than Video Games! Meet the Louisiana Waterthrush Spotlighting Chesterfield Elementary New Faces at Tremont
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www.gsmit.org Kris Harris Light
Highlighting the best of
2012
This issue of Walker Valley Reflections is our annual report to you—our participants and supporters. Throughout this issue, you will find what we feel are the highlights of 2012 for Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont.
One of these strategies is to partner with other like organizations to develop new programs. Collaboration can achieve results far beyond what we could accomplish alone, so we continue to seek out such partnerships.
Annual reports are traditionally a way to share facts and figures. We understand the importance of being accountable and you will see those facts and figures, like the ones below, that will give you an understanding of our organizational progress and our financial health.
An example of this can be seen on page 18 announcing a new partnership with Maryville College for Great Smokies Experience this summer. These kinds of programs make us more effective and more efficient in sharing our mission.
But we also know that what is really most important to you is the impact our programs have on those who come to Tremont. What can’t be described by statistics are the smiles, the stories, the excitement that we see and feel on a daily basis, and the reports we receive of changed lives once our participants are back home. Our success in connecting people and nature can be measured in many ways. But we know that much of that success is a direct result of our efforts to pursue new ideas, strategies, and solutions.
We know you will join us in celebrating the progress we made during 2012 and the excitement we feel about our future efforts in providing the very best in environmental education to students of all ages. Since 1969, our primary goal at Tremont has always been to enhance your experience and increase your knowledge of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Thank you for your support and for demonstrating your continued confidence through your financial support and your participation in our programs.
PARTICIPANTS 2012 2011 Youth Program 4,659 5,099 Adult Programs 1,169 1,376 Volunteer Hours 2,312 2,025 Park Visitors 10,927 10,753 2012 Program Fees $1,122,349 Net sales in store $60,883 Total support income $222,747 Other $1,356 TOTAL INCOME $1,407,335 EXPENSES $1,382,018 Endowment $1,516,377 Financial Aid $80,566
2011 $1,219,015 $63,032 $212,404 $7,870 $1,502,321 $1,411,699 $1,264,318 $50,848
Walker Valley Reflections - Spring 2013 - Page 2
Warren Bielenberg
FINANCIAL
A Tremont Experience – Better Than Video Games! John DiDiego, education director
Value beyond measure
In the business world, the goal is to make money. The end focus is on currency – how much money did we make over what we spent? At Tremont, we also need to make ends meet with our finances, but I’m pleased to say that the “currency” we deal in is “transformative experience,” those “A-ha! moments” that sink deep into a person and have the power to change a life.
“Mom, Tremont changed me. I came home a different person. I want to change the world and make a difference and just because I am 14 does not mean I can’t do it.” —Jacob, student
Jacob is just one of thousands of students each year exposed to these powerful experiences…catching your first salamander, watching a black bear foraging in Cades Cove, being hoisted by classmates over a log in the trail, seeing a truly black sky spangled with stars…these never appear on a balance sheet, but their value is beyond measure.
Indelible images
That’s why I am amazed when someone walks in the bookstore at Tremont and starts relating their 5th grade Tremont experience from 25 years ago or more! They remember details and significant moments where their lives were marked indelibly. Ken, our executive director, tells stories of grown men who still have their certificates, or the stakes used to mark their solo spot when they were at Tremont.
A deeper feeling of connection
Every week confirms that kids, teachers, and adults have wonderful experiences here. But education researchers have recently delved further to discern if what we’re doing is leading to significant gains in learning, appreciation, and attitudes. A team from Yale University (Stern et al. 2008) set up a study to put their finger on some of the outcomes of a Tremont trip for students. They conducted tests before students arrived, immediately after, and three months later. They saw significant gains in all measured indices, and said that students leave Tremont with: • an enhanced understanding of the national park, • a heightened interest in learning,
• a deeper feeling of connection with nature, and
• a greater willingness to act as good stewards of the environment.
Caleb Carlton
Think back to your 5th grade class…what do you remember? I vaguely remember the classroom. I can picture my teacher, and that she was kind and cared a great deal about us. I can even see the faces of some of my classmates, but that’s about it.
What’s more, many students left the Smokies saying they’d rather visit a national park than play video games!i
Taking charge of their own learning
Another researcher from the University of Arkansas studied the effects of a Tremont program in the classroom, both before and after the program. One of our main goals is teacher professional development — helping teachers learn new ways of connecting with their students while improving their own methods. The researcher studied six Tremont schools and his findings make it clear that the more teachers invest in the program, the more their students take from the experience. School administrators all described students returning from the experience with a new appreciation for learning. Others spoke specifically about not only connecting students with nature, but also taking charge of their own learning.ii Middle school students taking charge of their own learning… talk about impact! Another teacher spoke about how her students began to learn differently during a Tremont experience.
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Continued on page 4
A Tremont Experience - continued from page 3 Experiencing something is different than looking on page 4 of a textbook, learning this word or this fact. Students today are experts in finding answers in the book. I could give my students a college Spanish book, and they could find the answers. That doesn’t mean they know anything about it. Out there at Tremont, what is the answer? What are you really looking for? The world, the content, is a lot bigger, and students find their own questions (Case 1).ii
i. Stern, M. J., Powell, R. B., & Ardoin, N. M. (2008). What difference does it make? Assessing outcomes from participation in a residential environmental education program. Journal Of Environmental Education, 39(4), 31-43.
What we do
Day after day we head out into the park to have fun with kids of all ages. We share experiences in the woods and streams that defy simple descriptions. We go with the intent of exploring, learning, and having fun in nature…but we also know that students leave with so much more.
ii.Walker, Ryan M. (2012) The relationship between middle level school science programs and a residential environmental learning center. Unpublished doctoral thesis. Univ. of Arkansas
EDUCATION PROGRAMS The past year was one of veteran staff and high capacity in our programs. As a result, we were able to accomplish a great deal, including: • Increased online presence through the Middle Prong Press, a new web presence that is creating a platform for increased engagement with teachers, students, and other participants. • Enhanced presence on www.gsmit.org and Facebook.
• Initiated conversion of all lesson plans to web pages for easy access by teachers and other professionals.
• Enhanced profile and value of cooperative teaching by greater emphasis during teacher workshops and teacher escapes, putting more research into practice during teacher workshops, and providing additional training for staff in working with teachers. • Increased program capacity for delivering quality adult programs, providing more volunteer opportunities in citizen science and enhanced staff training. • Strengthened partnership with the national park through quarterly meetings with the park’s education staff, regular meetings to discuss citizen science projects, the creation of the Leadership Class of 2016, and representation at the Association of Partners on Public Lands conference. • The initiation of meetings with Maryville College, resulting in a new 2013 summer program and continuing collaboration.
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Meet the Louisiana Waterthrush - Our New Citizen Science Ambassador Tiffany Beachy, citizen science coordinator
You’re comfortably ensconced on a mossy boulder, soaking in the warm rays of a mid-April sun that filter through the still-bare branches of Musclewood trees overhanging your favorite stretch of mountain stream. Suddenly the quiet spell is broken by an outburst of frenzied birdsong loud enough to hear above the roar of any waterfall. You look around to find the culprit and a slight movement by the water’s edge catches your eye.
Bob Mulvihill
There, perched on a wet log sticking out of the stream is a sassy little warbler who can’t sit still. His tail, indeed, his whole back end, is bobbing up and down emphatically as he proclaims his territory.
Meet the Louisiana Waterthrush (LOWA, Parkesia motacilla), not a thrush at all, but so named because of its brown-spotted plumage and tendency to hang out on the ground. This charming warbler is one of the more common breeding birds in Walker Valley, which makes it an ideal study species for our new citizen science project. “Where Clean Water Rushes, Waterthrushes.” That was the title of Bob Mulvihill’s Louisiana Waterthrush presentation given to several of my dedicated volunteers and a group of interested Road Scholar hikers at Tremont in April 2012.
Hemlocks provide shade and leaf litter to tranquil streams across much of the national park. For the last decade, however, we have seen an unparalleled loss as the species has been hit by the exotic hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae). The adelgid is a true bug native to Eastern Asia that was brought to North America accidentally, most likely on nursery trees. It feeds on hemlock sap, interrupting the flow of vital nutrients to the rest of the tree and killing trees of any age within three to five years. What does hemlock loss have to do with the Louisiana Waterthrush? Well, this little tail-bobbing beauty is the only obligate riparian songbird species in the Southeast, meaning it must have a flowing water body to successfully breed. In the Smokies, hemlocks previously made up the majority of the tree cover directly over their streams. The question then becomes: what impact, if any, is the loss of the Eastern hemlock species having on the breeding success of the Louisiana Waterthrush in Walker Valley? Last year was the first of at least five years dedicated to this citizen science investigation at Tremont. We started by recruiting some very enthusiastic research volunteers who called themselves the LOWA’ers (LOWA is the official acronym for Louisiana Waterthrush). Our first step was to venture into the trackless unknown to map waterthrush territories along tributaries that flow into the Middle Prong river in Walker Valley. At each territory, we performed a quick habitat assessment that included an inventory of the number of live and dead hemlocks within a certain radius and the presence of the waterthrush’s favorite food, aquatic macroinvertebrates.
I couldn’t stop smiling the first time I heard that title; so clever and so true! ‘Waterthrush Bob,’ as he is affectionately known by many in the bird research comIn addition to these territory surveys, munity, graciously paid us a visit last spring we caught and banded 30 individual Dick as we were getting this project off the ground. Bob LOWA throughout the summer. We gave Ledyard has spent most of his career studying this little spotted each LOWA a unique combination of plastic color warbler and the effects of acid mine drainage on their breedleg bands to facilitate visual surveys of their habitat use and ing success in Pennsylvania. His research concluded that foraging behavior throughout the breeding season. Louisiana Waterthrushes fare better in unimpaired streams. Comparisons of habitat and Louisiana Waterthrush physioBut what about our own unpolluted streams that are belogical characteristics pre and post hemlock loss may enable ginning to experience the effects of hemlock declines? The us to determine whether the species is affected by hemlock Eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) is a beautiful evergreen decline. tree that used to be a common member of the cove-hardwood forests of the Smoky Mountains. Since this is one of the earliest migratory bird species to return to our region in the spring, much of the field work continued on page 6 Walker Valley Reflections - Spring 2013 - Page 5
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occurs while it is still relatively cold outside and usually wet, and slippery, and wonderful. Our fearless team of LOWA’ers covered a lot of ground in a few short months. David Bryant, a 2012 graduate of our Southern Appalachian Naturalist Certification Program, reminisces on last spring’s LOWA fun. “I jumped at the chance to participate in the LOWA survey as soon as I heard about it. The training was great and the survey protocol is laid out very well.
the Tennessee Ornithological Society and the Great Smoky Mountains Conservation Association, I was able to hire Lee Bryant, who will be a full time field biologist and educator to work specifically on this project during April and May.
down the stream to make sure there are no intruders in his territory. You’re about to stand up and stretch your limbs when another movement causes you to look upstream. Did that bird just disappear into the bank? Wait! That’s probably a nest! The magic continues....
Lee will be able to spend every day in the field, mapping territories, monitoring nests, catching and banding individuals, and re-sighting color-banded individuals from last year’s efforts. In addition to her fieldwork, Lee will conduct educational programs for our participants.
Come join us this summer as we catch and band Louisiana Waterthrushes and other breeding birds in Walker Valley! Help us find our color-banded birds so we can track their behavior throughout the summer. Do they nest or spend more time foraging in areas with healthy hemlock trees?
You haven’t lived until you’ve had an aggravated LOWA fussing at you from a branch a few feet overhead. “Of course the best part is wandering our clear Smoky Mountain streams looking for these early arriving warblers. We use a recording to call up the males and their agitated response is always fascinating to watch. You haven’t lived until you’ve had an aggravated LOWA fussing at you from a branch a few feet overhead. Great fun - and rewarding in knowing that the data you collect will be used by researchers.” This year, we will have several exciting new components. First of all, thanks to some generous grants from the Knoxville Chapter of
Imagine counting poop spots on rocks to survey for waterthrush presence, or hiding behind a makeshift blind to watch busy parents feeding their chicks in a stream-bank nest, or recording how many aquatic macroinvertebrates a waterthrush can eat in a minute. These are just a few of the activities our participants will find themselves enjoying as they contribute to this citizen science project.
Help us begin to unlock the mystery of the Louisiana Waterthrush community and its relationship to Eastern hemlocks in Walker Valley. And, keep an eye on our website for bird banding dates!
You’re back on that mossy boulder. Your friend the waterthrush has just zipped off
Check out our newly updated citizen science pages at www.gsmit.org/CitizenScience.html for more information on Tremont projects and what you can do at home or school.
CITIZEN SCIENCE In 2012, Tremont’s citizen science programs flourished, bringing hundreds of eager students and volunteers to the park to learn, as well as assist the park with a variety of important projects, resulting in: • 423 loyal volunteers logging over 200 hours monitoring aquatic salamanders and phenology plots, banding birds, tagging monarchs, and more. • The initiation of a lichen monitoring project to assess the impact of air quality changes.
• The beginning of our Louisiana Waterthrush research project with 30 birds color-banded and many territories mapped. • The redesigning of citizen science pages on www. gsmit.org which improved our ability to connect to a larger audience and engage participants after their Tremont program.
• A successful summer of research and science camps which produced a new crop of citizen science interns. • An enhanced presence on Facebook for our citizen science program and all our current projects.
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Citizen Science Volunteer Spotlight: Meet Stacey and Frank Whetstone Dawn Dextraze, teacher/naturalist
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Stacey and Frank are a mother and son from Morristown, TN. They have been volunteering at Tremont since 2008. They started out helping with the Monarch Tagging program and are currently involved in two other citizen science programs: Aquatic Salamander monitoring and Pond Breeding Amphibian Monitoring.
“My son, Frank, especially enjoys this hands-on approach to learning and the contribution he makes to Tremont by providing the staff with data for further scientific studies. We always look forward to interacting with the professional, knowledgeable, and fun staff.”
We recently asked Stacey some questions about her experiences with Tremont and
“Holding an extremely delicate creature in our hands, knowing after it’s been tagged, then released, it will continue on a journey toward a destination thousands of miles away, is an indescribable feeling, as is observing for a few short weeks in the spring the entire process eggs of Spotted Salamanders and Woods Frogs go through.
Question: Describe some favorite memories from the field. Answer: “Frank still talks about the curious little bear that approached while we were eating lunch during a Monarch Tagging event two years ago. “The bear probably smelled our food and came to investigate. He sat behind a tree across the road from us before going on his way. This was Frank’s first opportunity to see a bear from this vantage point. “We also enjoyed the time Frank’s friend came along with us during a Pond Breeding Amphibian outing. It was very exciting for Frank to show his friend the eggs and tadpoles. They enjoyed playing in some of Frank’s favorite places like Gum Swamp. “Last year I was able to observe closely and photograph a Whitelined Sphinx Moth. This was very exciting for me because up until this particular day, I had only caught a couple of quick glimpses of this interesting creature, and didn’t really know what it was I had seen. On this day, I was able to observe it for several minutes and take some fascinating photos as it fed on a bull thistle.” Question: What keeps you coming back for more? Answer: “We continue participating with Tremont primarily because we love learning more regarding the diverse flora and fauna in the Great Smoky Mountains. “The citizen science program has enabled us to have a fun and adventurous connection with nature, which provides us with a better understanding of our world and our place in it.
Question: How does it make you feel to know that you are contributing to something larger than yourself?
“Grateful. Anytime we can spend walking through fields of native grasses and autumn wildflowers at peak bloom with many different species of butterflies flitting about all around us searching for monarchs is a day we will never forget."
“We are extremely grateful to have had these experiences for ourselves. Not only are we able to be present and witness these phenomena firsthand, but the data we collect and our observations are valuable to scientific research.”
WHAT IS CITIZEN SCIENCE? Citizen science is the involvement of non-scientists in scientific research. Non-professional citizen scientists have been doing important work like this for well over a century, allowing scientists to collect large amounts of data from many different locations. Here are some of the national studies you may have heard about: • Monarch Watch
• Christmas Bird Count
• Neighborhood Nestwatch • Project Budburst
At Tremont anyone can be a citizen scientist and participate in a variety of on-going projects. As a citizen scientist, you will assist with the collection or analysis of real, relevant scientific data. If you are interested in learning more about our citizen science program, visit www.gsmit.org/CitizenScience.html.
Walker Valley Reflections - Spring 2013 - Page 7
School Groups at Tremont During 2012
Seventy-seven schools from twelve states brought students to Tremont during 2012; six of these schools made mutiple visits and/or brought multiple groups. Contact us for more information about how your students can live and learn in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. A. M. Yealey Elementary School (Florence, KY) Alcoa Middle School (Alcoa, TN) Bernheim Middle School (Shepherdsville, KY) Berrien County Math & Science Center (Berrien Springs, MI) Berry College Middle School (Mount Berry, GA) Billingsley School (Billingsley, AL) Boyd Christian School (McMinnville, TN) Bruno Montessori (Birmingham, AL) Calvin Donaldson Environmental Science Academy (Chattanooga, TN) Cedar Springs Homeschool Group (Knoxville, TN) Central Middle School (Kokomo, IN) Cherokee Bend Elementary School (Birmingham, AL) Cherokee Middle School (Kingston, TN) Christ Presbyterian Academy (Nashville, TN) Christian Academy of Knoxville (Knoxville, TN)
Concord Christian School (Knoxville, TN) Cornerstone School (Ocala, FL)
Knox Doss Middle School at Drake’s Creek (Hendersonville, TN) Lebanon Special School District (Lebanon, TN)
Eagleton Elementary (Maryville, TN) Eagleton Middle School (Maryville, TN) East Hardin Middle School (Glendale, KY) Episcopal School of Knoxville (Knoxville, TN)
Lenoir City Middle School (Lenoir City, TN) Macdonald Intermediate School (Fort Knox, KY) Maplewood Richmond Heights Middle School (St. Louis, MO)
Etowah City Schools (Etowah, TN)
Mason County Middle School (Maysville, KY)
Faith Christian School (Summerville, SC) Freedom Christian Academy (Knoxville, TN) Gresham Middle School (Knoxville, TN) Hazelwood West Middle School (Hazelwood, MO)
McDowell Early College (Marion, NC) Merrol Hyde Magnet School (Hendersonville, TN) Morristown West High School (Morristown, TN) New Horizon Montessori School (Louisville, TN)
Hewitt-Trussville High School (Trussville, AL)
Norris Middle School (Norris, TN)
Hume-Fogg Academic High School (Nashville, TN) Immaculate Conception Cathedral High School (Memphis, TN) Jones Valley Elementary (Huntsville, AL)
Norwood High School (Cincinnati, OH) Oak Farm Montessori School (Avilla, IN) Oak Hill School (Nashville, TN)
Food Waste Hall of Fame
Oak Mountain Academy (Carrollton, GA)
St. Luke’s Episcopal School (Mobile, AL)
Oakmont School (Knoxville, TN)
St. Mary of the Lake School (New Buffalo, MI)
Old Trail School (Bath, OH)
St. Paul Lutheran School (Peachtree City, GA)
Paideia Academy (Knoxville, TN)
Station Camp Middle School (Gallatin, TN)
Pi Beta Phi Elementary School (Gatlinburg, TN)
Sycamore School (Indianapolis, IN)
Powell High School (Powell, TN) Rainbow Mountain Children’s School (Asheville, NC) Randolph School (Huntsville, AL) Rockford Elementary School (Rockford, TN)
Tate’s School of Discovery (Knoxville, TN) Trinity Christian School (Apopka, FL) Union Grove Elementary School (Friendsville, TN) Walland Elementary School (Walland, TN)
Rockwood School District (Eureka, MO)
Weatherly Heights Elementary (Huntsville, AL)
Saint Anne Catholic School (Bristol, VA)
West End Middle School (Nashville, TN)
Sayre School (Lexington, KY)
Winton Woods High School (Cincinnati, OH)
Scottsboro City Gifted Program (Scottsboro, AL)
Woodlawn School (Davidson, NC)
Seymour Community Christian School (Seymour, TN) Shelbyville Middle School (Shelbyville, IN)
Woods Charter School (Chapel Hill, NC) Woodward Academy (Atlanta, GA)
Spring City Middle School (Spring City, TN)
Emphasizing the reduction of food waste has always been an important lesson at Tremont. But, over the years, we realized that the importance of our message could be lost in the competition to have zero food waste.
waste—pounds per person per meal. We continue to solicit tips from students on how they can reduce food waste and encourage them to continue the trend when they return home.
Our newly revamped food waste program de-emphasizes the zero part. Now every school is listed on the Food Waste Hall of Fame and receives a certificate showing their school’s
Here are the schools from Fall 2012 and their impressive efforts in reducing food waste:
Berrien County Math and Science Center (0) Cherokee Bend Elementary School (0) Hewitt-Trussville High School (0) Hume-Fogg Academic High School (0) Merrol Hyde Magnet School (0) Norwood High School (0) Oak Farm Montessori School (0) Sayre High School (0) Central Middle School (0.00026) Oak Hill School (0.001) Woods Charter School (0.00476)
Shelbyville Middle School (0.0081632) Christian Academy of Knoxville (0.014) West End Middle School (0.014) Station Camp Middle School (0.0169) Sycamore School (0.017) Pi Beta Phi Elementary School (0.0275) East Hardin Middle School (0.029) Knox Doss Middle School at Drake's Creek (0.0311) Cherokee Middle School (0.032) Union Grove Elementary School (0.033) Weatherly Heights Elementary School (0.04)
Walker Valley Reflections - Spring 2013 - Page 8
Concord Christian School (0.046) Episcopal School of Knoxville (0.054) Mason County Middle School (0.0559) Tate's School of Discovery (0.075) Norris Middle School (0.091) A. M. Yealey Elementary School (0.116) Berry College Middle School (0.125) Billingsley & Autaugaville (0.13) Walland Elementary School (0.57)
Tremont’s Impact on Schools Jennie McGuigan, school programs coordinator
This is part 3 of a 4-part series following our schools back to the classroom.
Spotlighting – Chesterfield Elementary School Chesterfield, MO
Stats:
• Chesterfield Elementary is 1 of 19 elementary schools in the Rockwood School District • The district serves more than 22,000 students
• The district employs staff to coordinate outdoor educational programs district-wide
• Schools from this district have been coming to Tremont since 2009
5th GRADE TEACHER: Mitzy Cruzen I had the opportunity to spend a morning with Mitzy exploring the role forests play in an ecosystem. She and I talked about ways classroom teachers can extend the hands-on, inquiry-based outdoor learning schools receive at Tremont. “Tremont’s lessons fit into so many of the projects we do at our school,” says Mitzy, who is lovingly known as the ‘green teacher’ on her school campus. “At Chesterfield, I try very hard to make children participants in the educational process, not just observers.” Mitzy believes learning should be as hands-on as possible and involve real-world projects that make students an active part of the process. She also prefers service-learning projects, as opposed to just service projects. Mitzy Cruzen After our lesson, she explained the types of projects she had been implementing on her campus. I was amazed at all the extra work she is willing to do in order to provide interdisciplinary educational opportunities.
But how were projects involving composting, restoration or recycling sustained over time? How did they relate to standards? How much support did she receive? Mitzy’s eyes lit with excitement in response to my inquiries. She explained how a simple composting project had turned into an amazing educational experience for her students. She even had suggestions for enhancing Tremont’s composting. When we spoke again later, she impressed me further with the complexity of outdoor opportunities she was able to implement and sustain. Below are just a few: • Service Learning Program: Litzsinger Road Ecology Center (LREC) (part of the Missouri Botanical Garden) offered Mitzy an opportunity to “engage their students in ecological investigation and restoration in the local community while achieving formal curriculum objectives.” LREC helps students learn how to investigate local natural habitats and become active participants in their conservation. • Outdoor Classroom: Mitzy, with the help of her 5th graders, fellow teachers, and administrators erected an outdoor learning space with wooden benches, podium and side walks, near a wooded area at school.
• Native Prairie Restoration: A 20’ x 50’ native prairie was created. Students did research on native plants, took home plants to investigate, collected and sowed seeds, collaborated with maintenance staff on the design, constructed paths, and made interpretive guides with student artwork for others to use when enjoying the prairie.
• Composting Project: Students presented a proposal to the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) that included integrating students in the lunch line to pick up food scraps, weighing food wastes, filling out a data table to track food scraps and composting amendments, and purchasing bins. The PTO helped fund the project, students made fliers and presentations on composting to the entire school, food service staff began presenting healthier food options, and students gave up recess to add to the composting. After a year, 1/3 of all students had composters at home. • Recycling Project: Teachers tried to implement a recycling system in their classrooms. While it was not totally successful, they continue to work toward this goal. • Rain Barrel: The district science department donated a rain barrel to collect water from unfinished plastic water bottles.
• Students spoke at City Hall: Students noticed that ‘green initiatives’ were not on the municipal website, but after only one month of encouragement from students, they had been added.
continued on page 14 Walker Valley Reflections - Spring 2013 - Page 9
THANK YOU
to the many generous individuals, organizations, and companies who helped support Tremont in 2012. Without you, we would not be able to serve the thousands of students and adults each year in this awesome place. We hope you will continue your support in 2013. You can donate online at www.gsmit.org/donate.html. From January 1, 2012 — December 31, 2012
$30,000-$50,000
Haslam Family Foundation
$20,000-$29,999 Alcoa Foundation Cornerstone Foundation
$10,000-$19,999
Cobble Family Foundation Jon Lawler
$5,000-$9,999
Clayton Family Foundation Herb Coleman Susan Cooper Covenant Health PYA Waltman Capital Dick Ray University Health Systems
$2,500-$4,999
Ackermann Public Relations & Marketing Charley & Patricia Bible Boeing Gift Matching Program Elizabeth Estill First Tennessee Foundation Global Intellectual Property Asset Management, PLLC Heinrich Family Foundation Raja & Michelle Jubran David & Sandy Martin Edward Pershing PYA Community Support Foundation Patrick & Marilyn Roddy Smart Bank The Trust Company of Knoxville Robin & DeAnn Turner Bill & Susan Varner
$1,000-$2,499
Bob & Karen Anderson Mike & Susan Bacon Victor & Myra Barrett Rick Beeson Jim & Kati Blalock Boyd Foundation Jim & Kay Clayton Ken & Jane Creed Pete DeBusk DENSO Foothills Kiwanis Randy & Robin Gibson
Diane Haines George Hashbarger, Jr Christoper Jackson Richard Johnson Maribel Koella David Lazar Sherri Lee Frank March Conley & Carolyn Murrell National Park Service Niswonger Foundation Bill & Marion Oliphant Mark & Nancy Peacock Pershing Yoakley & Associates Billie Shelby Jim & Jane Sidwell Joe Ben & Robin Turner Nancy Voith Gary & Sandra Wade Lew & Janice Weems Keith & Melinda Widmer Tim & Amy Williams Woodpickers
$500-$999
Kevin & Irene Anton Jerry & Robyn Askew Tim & Janet Bigelow David & Judy Birdwell Teresa Brinson Betsey Bush John & Paula Chesworth Bobbie Congleton Crum & Blazer Insurance Mary Dresser Edwin Edgerton Jim & Melinda Ethier Foothill Striders Helen Fry Bill & Patricia Irby TN Ornithological Society, Knoxville Chapter Neal & Pat Linhardt Mike & Melissa McCoy North Slope Forestry Joe & Sharon Pryse Michael & Sharon Roeder Relia Mae Scheib Scott Laboratory Solutions, LLC Ken & Jennifer Voorhis Betty Voorhis Andrea White John & Kathy Wilbanks Geoff & Pat Wolpert Jamie Woodson
$250-$499
Charlotte Appleton Albert Bauman Bernie Bowman Jack Burgin Sandi & Dick Byrd Henry & Marty Callaway Billy & Jill Carroll Neil Chapin Jeff & Vicki Chapman Mike & Connie Clemmer Ray (Bucky) Colclough Larry & Beth Dicus Nannette Enloe Roger and Maria Goetz Keith & Dianne Goodwin Frank Gray Charlie & Debe Hanie Eric Hoeppner Joe & Pat Johnson Carolyn King Patria Leath Lloyd Luketin Bob & Sandy Merriman Nature’s Gifts Int’l Kristy Newton Kevin & Amanda Painter Robert Ramger Stephanie Ramsey Robert Reily E. Rice, Jr. Jerry & Vicki Roddy Victoria Soderberg Martha Stephens Joe & Becky Swann Julie Tallman Terry & Marsha Uselton Barry & Jeanie VanWinkle Georgiana Vines Taylor & Kristi Weatherbee
$100-$249
Grady Amann Annette Anderson Dale & Janetta Baker Sherry Ball Tom Ballard Jennifer Bausman Aerin Benavides C.P. & J.S. Benziger John & Sara Berry Julie Brown Suzanne Brown Patrick & Fae Burkhart Jim Casey Richard Chinn John & Rhonda Clark Liz Coburn Allen Coggins Brian Condie Tom & Nancy Condon Continental Aerial Surveys Robbie Cox Lewis Culpepper Bob & Susan Curtis Heather Davis Leslie Davis Donald & Carolyn Dougall Don Dunning Hank & Margaret Dye Billie Edwards Ralph & Dorothy Egli
Margaret Epperly David, Caroline, & Erin Erickson Katherine Evans Kent & Susan Farris Jeff & Alice Fisher Tom & Marian Fitzgerald Barbara Foglesong Sandra Fortson Marilyn Frank Doug, Grace, Gigi & Maggie Franklin Michael Frome Mark & Kim Galloway Beth Giddens Richard Ginkowski C. Keith Goff Ben & Eleanor Greene Susan Greer-Tisdale Pammela Grimm Brian Groenhout Henry & Debbie Guigou Michael Hartnett Robert & Melinda Headrick Roy & Patricia Heifner Jan Heinrich Sharon Heinrich Freida Herron Ray & Carol Hils Parks Hitch, Jr. Tim & Mary Lou Holt Bud Hopkins G. Wilson Horde Margie Hunter Renee Hyatt Malcolm & Barbara Johnson Barry & Colleen Jones Donell Kerns Jim Killebrew Lois Klein Harold & Jean Lambert Cecily Langellier Judi Langer Henry & Shirley Law Richard Ledyard Jack & Elsie Leider Wendell Liemohn Russell & Sheri Liles Robert & Martha Ann McDermott Jane Qualls McGuire Sid & Mellony McNeal Kathryn McNeil Charles and Clara McNutt Greg Moncrief Ann Mull Kathy Newman Kenneth & Irene Novak Debby Nuchols Pat & Barbara O’Brien Herbert & Beverly Ogle Linda Petrosky Joyce Pope Harold & Mary Lou Pope Wilfred “Mac” Post Bill Powney Michelle Prysby Robert Ramsey Christopher & Juliann Rigell Gary & Karyn Rolfe Harold Roth Richard Ryburn Paul Schuch
Walker Valley Reflections - Spring 2013 - Page 10
Ann Schuur William Shields Lewis & Ruth Simpson Perry & Lori Smith Shawn & Kristin Spindel Jeffrey Spitzer Wes & Liz Stowers, Jr. David & Sadie Stroud Maryann Stupka Ricky & Linda Summitt Don & Martha Sundquist Paul & Anna Catherine Super Don Taylor Michael & Christine Tully John and Martie Ulmer Vulcan Construction Material Tasha Wade Chris Was Nancy Watrous Steve Watts Jim & Georgie Whitley Eileen Wilson Eric Wilson
Under $100
Lois & Don Alexander Duane & Cindy Allen Stephen & Jean Ash Dan & Shirley Awald W. Alan & Debra Ballew Jeff & Susan Barnes Katherine Bassett-Jones Denny Beck Dorie Bolze James Borton Sarah & Benjamin Bracken Charles Brakebill Bruce & Susan Brower Jody Brown Margaret Brown Jacqueline Brown Tom Bruce David Bryant William & Suzanne Buie Laura Burton David Butts Brenda Caldwell Harry & Teresa Call Jim & Van Callaway Paul Campbell Simon Carbone Jay & Linda Casselberry Sue Charles Denise Chiavetta Melissa Chiles John & Sue Clark Glenn & Debbie Claypool Kim Cleary Sadler Linda Cline-Hill Sarah Cook E. Terry & Juanita Cowles Audie Craig Robert Croley Connie Cundiff Patricia Curtis Kelly Curtis Ronald & Bev Dalia James Davis Jeff & Judy Deardorff Sue Deepe Marlene Denton David Dickey
Continued from page 10
Donors
Bob & Janis Patterson Jerry & Joan Paul Peter Perry Niels & Pat Petersen Duane Pierce Kathy Poese Randall Pope Erna Prickett Bob Proffitt Charles Purkey Erin Read Stephen Reddick Gary Rice Jane Richardson Paul Ries Ricki Robbins June Rousey Mildred Ruen Kelly Saalwachter Bradley Sale William (Bill) Schneider Mary Seals Richard & Spain Secrist Raymond Sellers Jeff Sherman Mark & Debby Singleton Mark & Janet Snyder Dennis Spjut Susan Springer Barbara Steslow Jerry & Sharon Stiner Dave Styles Hyatt Sudano Carleton Swafford Fred & Wanda Szak Peter Thornton Bob & Lil Tiebout Peggy Tollison Curtis Travis Jane Trentin William Truex Michael Turley Gail Voorhis Bonnie Voorhis Jeff Wadley John & Mitsy Watts Tom Whaley Al & Marilyn Wiberley Bob Wightman Maureen Wilder Joel Williams Jim & Sally Williams Lisa Williams DiAnne Wilson Priscilla Wilson Jenny Wilson Kae Wrinkle Nicholas Young Alex Young Patrick Younger Emily Zietz
In-Kind
Ackermann Public Relations & Mktg Advanced Hydroponics Lois Alexander Appalachian Ballet Company B & T Distributing Co.
Jennifer Bausman Bill & Ginger Baxter Sheri Bechnel Joyce & Charles Benziger Patricia Bible Big Ed’s Pizza Janet & Jim Bigelow Jim & Kati Blalock Debora Blind Blue Moon Cruises Brown’s Creek Wine & Spirits Evelyn Bryant Sandi & Dick Byrd Campbell Tent & Party Rentals Cherokee Distributing Chuck Budnik Clayton Center for the Arts Donna & Bill Cobble Susan Cooper Dancing Bear Lodge Dawn Dextraze Dick’s Sporting Goods Dollywood El Jimador Mexican Restaurant Elliott’s Boots Barbara Everett Firefly Café Foothills Milling Company Sam Furrow Great Smoky Mountains Association Herb Handly Home Video Studio Kathryn & Breese Johnson Jon’s Golf Cars Knoxville Ice Bears Knoxville Zoo Mickie Larkins Chris LeGaux Sheri & Russell Liles Little River Trading Company Mast General Store Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt Moon River Photography Nantahala Outdoor Center Gatlinburg North Cascades Institute Oak Ridge Playhouse John Pittenger Pizza Kitchen Premiere Bus Razzleberry’s Ice Cream Lab Realty III Ann Reego Serenity Salon & Boutique Smoky Mountain Llama Treks Subs & Such Suzanne Terrill The Day Hiker The Garden Shop at Trillium Cove The Home Depot The Market Vienna Coffee Company Gary Wade Walmart #0672 Joe Wiegand Willow Ridge Garden Center Woodpickers
George W. Fry Georgiana Vines Helen Fry Stephen & Jean Ash Charles Brakebill Paul Campbell Retta Ellis Pammela Grimm Linda Cline Hill G. Wilson Horde Carole Mailfald Randall Pope Lewis & Ruth Simpson Kathleen Durkin’s Grandmother Mary Dresser Linda Hatcher’s Brother Mary Dresser Marston & Donna Lee Bonnie Voorhis Megan Martha Beck Denny Beck Sandy Hook Victims & Families James Borton Audie Craig Marlene Denton Mark Gilreath Duane Pierce Paul Ries Martha Stevens Julie Tallman Curtis Travis Jeff Wadley Tom Whaley Wright Tisdale, Jr. Susan Greer-Tisdale
Tiffany Beachy
John DiDiego Glenn Doig Joe Dreimiller Else Drusts Tom Duffy Mary Anne Edwards Patti Edwards Leslie El-Sayad Steven & Karen Ellingson Retta Ellis Ruth Ewald Andrew & Linda Franklin Carolyn Franks Friendship Gardeners Club William Froschauer, Jr. Gordon Gibson Bill Giles Mark Gilreath Jim & Robin Goddard Sarah Oram & Stephen J. Grabenstein Sue Green John Greer Jim Hands Timothy Harden Gail Harris Michael & Lora Harvey Mark & Mary Gay Henegar Richard Holland Patricia Holobaugh Barbara Jeffries Alice Kellogg Steven Kelly Charles Kennard Karen Kenst Kathleen Kerin Clifford & Ruth Kirk Sandra Kurtz Mark & Debbie Kyllo Julie Labhart Ray & Sharon Lamping Jacklyn Lane Legal Staff Professionals of Greeneville Norm Levy Robert & Linda Lloyd Jason & Jennifer Love Ian Lupey Carole Mailfald Jiafu Mao Mary Blount Chapter of DAR Sandy McHone Janet McKinley Sarah McNiell Anne McWhirter Jane McWilliams Rachel Medina Carolyn Meiller Andy Melzer Sue Milinkovich Robert Moore Evangeline Moore Jeff & Cheryl Mullen Tom & Eva Murphy Robert & Renee O’Connor Denny O’Neal Daphne O’Neal-Samuelsson Jennifer Oliphant Doug Overbey Maggie Parry
In memory of
Walker Valley Reflections - Spring 2013 - Page 11
In honor of
Evelyn Angeletti Legal Staff Professionals of Greenville Bill & Donna Cobble Jim & Natalie Haslam II Friendship Gardeners Club Sue & Steve Kiefer Kelly Saalwachter Jan and Jim Heinrich Sharon Heinrich Mac Post’s Retirement Friends at Oak Ridge Laboratory Sam McGroom Stephen Reddick Stephen Perry Peter Perry Dick Ray Henry & Debbie Guigou Victoria Soto Steven Kelly Monica Sudano Hyatt Sudano Robert and Sarah Elizabeth Super Paul & Anna Catherine Super Tremont Program Staff Connie Cundiff Barbara Jeffries June Rousey
Citizen Science Research and Other Volunteers January 1, 2012 — December 31, 2012 John Adams ALCOA employees Marci Aldridge Riley Aldridge Sandra Aldridge Hannah Anderson Brian Anell Charlotte Appleton Kara Arbes Kayla Arbes Stacey Arbes Molly Arnold Neil Arp Brett Baker Tiffany Beachy Sally Beachy Cynthia Beal Emily Beard Katie Bechner Austin Bednar Nathaniel Behl Esther Bell Emery Benson Nancy Biddle Carla Bielstein Janet Bigelow Rachel Bigelow Tim Bigelow Michael Black Larry Bolt Elizabeth Bosse Lea Bosse Sarah Bosse Thomas Bosse Sharon Boudin Shawna Bowman Mackenzie Bremer Debbie Brockman Mitch Brockman AnnaLee Brown Claude Brown David Bryant Timothy Bunn Sam Burdick I Sam Burdick II Jennie Burke Sharon Burnett Kyle Bush Sara Bush Traci Bush Dick Byrd Camp Quest Matt Carver
We
Etheree Chancellor Sara Clabo Debbie Claypool Glenn Claypool Emma Clark Kathryn Clark Hannah Clevenger Hannah Coleman Janine Coleman Melanie Cooper Quinten Cooper Susan Cooper Kristofer Covington Audrey Crawford Danielle Crawford Justin Croft Dawn Crouse M James Crouse II Michael J Crouse I Miles Crouse Lewis Culpepper Jim Cunningham Leana Cunningham Charles Cuthbertson Margie Cuthbertson Breanna Daniells Aimee Davis Larry Davis Mallory Davis Paul Davis Will Davis Jeff Deardorff Judy Deardorff Susie Delozier Wanda DeWaard John DiDiego Donna Dixon Carolina Dolislager Garrett Dolislager Ron Dolislager Tony Doriguzzi Mary Dresser Jodi Eanes Cindi Ellison Caroline Erickson Erin Erickson Sue Evans Alice Fisher Grant Fisher Sterling Fisher Heather Floan Michael Floan Cheryl Flowers
Oiken Fonerme Doug Franklin Grace Franklin Jennifer Franklin Maggie Franklin Aidan Galloway Kimberly Galloway Laura Gann Amy Garza Allison Gentry Julie Gentry Georgia Southern University Beth Gilley Colleen Girad Robin Goddard Ruthie Groth Maria Guenther Rochelle Guenther Betty Hadley Brian Hadley Elaine Hadley Steven Hadley Jim Hands Charlie Hanie Laura Harrill Ralye Hartman Heather Hatcher Bill Hawk Aaron Hayes David Headrick Reese Headrick Walter Headrick Jacob Hensley Matthew Hensley Cathy Henn Steven Hicks Donna Higdon Steve Higdon Louise Hilenicki Tom Holden Deanna Hood Haley Hoo Amelia Horton Claire Horton Erin Horton & Dad Bernadette Hoyer Christine Hoyer Becky Huffer Emily Huffer Rachel Huffer Bill Irby Pat Irby
Greta Jankoviak Jolinda Jansma Bryan Jernigan Karen Jernigan Madie Jinks Noah Jinks Seth Jinks Dave Johnson Neva Johnson Reggie Keaton Mike Keaton Will Kilgore Debbie Kipp Michael Kulp Pauline Kulp Violet Kulp Julie Labhart Abigail Laing Heather Laing Nathanael Laing Bob Lash Alexis Lawson Blake Lawson Tammera Lawson Wallace Layman Dudley Leath Patria Leath Richard Ledyard Madeline Leonard Elysia Letterman Stan Lewandowski Chance Lewis Meredith Liemohn Audrey Little Chris Lituma Bethany Lock Hannah Lock Rebecca Lock Lorna Luketin Chloe Luecke Laine Lyles Shelley Mangold Jack Maples Glenn Marshall Maryville College Master Gardener’s Club Eric Mattson Nicole Mauro Sydney McCarty Taylor McCarty Janet McCullough Chuck McElroy Mary McGarr
♥ Volunteers
In 2012, the number of volunteer hours continued to increase, hitting a record number of 2,312 hours, with 1,537 hours dedicated to Citizen Science projects, and 775 hours dedicated to other campus projects.
NPS Archive
Without our loyal volunteers, we would not be able to operate at Tremont. From monitoring a salamander plot to working in our wildflower garden, our volunteers make a profound difference, and we thank them for their dedication and many hours of service.
Walker Valley Reflections - Spring 2013 - Page 12
Dustin McGill Aliviah McGuire Eleanor McGuire Ireland McGuire Issiah McGuire Joy McGuire Rob McGuire Solomon McGuire Sophia McGuire Daniel Metcalf Hannah Metcalf Karen Metcalf Sarah Metcalf Deanna Moon Isabelle Morstatt Joseph Morstatt Leslie Morstatt Caroline Moss Cathy Moss Wanda Murphy Karen Myers Jennifer Myrick Mallie Myrick Talisa Neloms Noah Nelson Tessa Nuchols Samantha Ogle Emma Orrison Ed Owens Kalisa Parsons Taelyr Phillips Brenda Perryman Mac Post Becky Priddy John Rakes Ridge Ramsey Erin Read Pam Reagan Lydia Reese Jasmine Ricks Christina Riley Taylor Rinehart Carolyn Rogers Mya Rose Logan Rosenberg Richard Ryburn Bill Schins Irene Schins Bennett Schwitters Evan Schwitters Gar Secrest Keane Secrest Richard Secrest
Spain Secrist Anna Smith Rachel Smith Renee Sniegocki Laura Spargo Marci Spencer Dennis Sput Bryan Stache Holly Stache Norma Stache Courtney Stec Bill Steiner Charlene Stewart Doug Stewart Joe Strickland David Styles Bob Sudderth Hayden Suitor Anthony Trenkamp Ryan Trenkamp Samantha Trenkamp Tracy Trenkamp Andy Troutman Debbie Troutman Kestrel Troutman Teresa Tuers Terry Uselton Jeannie Van Winkle Jenni Veal Lucy Veal Jennifer Voorhis Ken Voorhis Erin Wadley Jeff Wadley Joy Wadley Kathy West Roger West Kenny Whaley Frank Whetstone Stacy Whetstone Kathy Wilbanks Keith Williams Megan Williams Stacy Williams DiAnne Wilson Cecelia Wright Michelle Wright Sophie Wright Dianne Yount
In 2012, longtime Tremont volunteer, Robin Goddard, received the National George B. Hartzog, Jr. Award for Enduring Volunteer Service from National Park Service Director, Jonathan B. Jarvis.
WAY TO GO ROBIN
Inspiration Awaits: Professional Development Opportunities at Tremont Caleb Carlton, senior teacher/naturalist
We all know that in the world of education, one of the core duties of a teacher is the redistribution of knowledge and skill-set. Undoubtedly, to be successful in our democratic society and free market economy, every student needs continual access to tangible information and practical technique throughout the formative years. Leveling the playing field and simultaneously giving dozens of students the same value of education is a monumental task for any teacher. And on top of all of that responsibility, teachers, at least the good ones, constantly aspire to achieve something far less tangible and standardized in each of their students—inspiration.
The teaching done by any educator is finite, but the wonder and appreciation for knowledge and discovery resulting from the spark struck by an inspired teacher can last a lifetime. I know that when I was in school, I could always, quite easily, put my teachers into one of two categories: those that gave me information, and those that inspired me to seek it out through my unique and personal connection to life’s subject matter. I’ll let you guess which category all of my favorite teachers fell into. The entirety of programming that occurs at Tremont is designed with dual purpose: to educate and to inspire—both being equally valid avenues toward connecting.
Yes, the unwritten standard of a successful educator is the instilling of an inspiration for life.
Our myriad professional development opportunities for teachers are no exception. Whether you join us for the week-long Smoky Mountain Science Teacher Institute this summer (June 17-22), or one of our weekend Southern Appalachian Naturalist Certification Program (SANCP) courses (Birds or Plants: May 3-5, Reptiles and Amphibians: July 29-31, Aquatic Natural History: July 31-Aug 2), our programs for professional educators are designed to diffuse relevant information and teaching skill, while also creating an environment of inspiration that will translate back into the classroom setting. If you have professional development hours to fill this spring or summer, or you just want to have fun and learn, why spend them anywhere other than the Smokies, learning directly from one of the most beautiful and biodiverse places on the continent? With an all-star staff of passionate and dedicated educators, Tremont offers you the opportunity to connect to the natural sciences and your own relationship with life and nature on a deeply inspired level. Consider yourself cordially invited to the Smokies for an unparalleled and incredibly fun professional educational experience. For more information about Tremont’s professional development opportunities, please visit us at www.gsmit.org/workshops.html.
Jennie McGuigan
For more information about our SANCP courses, check out www.gsmit.org/sancp. html.
Jennie McGuigan
Walker Valley Reflections - Spring 2013 - Page 13
continued from page 9
Tremont’s Impact on Schools
Teacher Professional Development Workshops
How have these students been recognized for their efforts? • Signature Garden Award-Chesterfield City Hall: Mitzy’s students earned this high honor by applying and being approved for a National Wildlife Federation Certification. • Sign from National Wildlife Federation (NWF): A sign was erected in their native prairie from the NWF to congratulate their restoration efforts to increase native biodiversity and naturally eliminate exotic invasives. “I have an amazing relationship with these kids!” Mitzy exclaims. She goes on to explain that all these projects were fulfilling on so many levels, but the thing she most treasures is the bond she has made with the students. As an educator who has devoted her life to providing hands-on outdoor educational opportunities to others, I gain inspiration and motivation from teachers like Mitzy Cruzen. It continues to remind me that if I think I have done all I can, I should think again.
Smoky Mountain Science Teacher Institute June 17-22 Immerse yourself for a week in the biological diversity of the Smokies and return home with exciting new ideas for involving your students in hands-on science. Educators’ Workshop—Advanced Air Quality August 2-4 Learn about air quality issues in our region and how to monitor the effects of pollution on sensitive plant species. Teacher Escape Weekend September 7-8 October 12-13 This one-night workshop is an opportunity for you to meet other teachers, share ideas, learn about new programs, and get answers to any question you have before you bring your students to Tremont.
For more information visit www.gsmit.org/educatorworkshops.html.
SCHOOL PROGRAMS Each year, thousands of students and their teachers come to Tremont to spend 3-5 days living and learning in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Here are some of the activities that helped to assure an educational, dynamic, and safe outdoor experience for each of the 90 school groups from 12 states that made trips to Tremont: • Great strides were made in elevating the cooperative teaching model with visiting teachers and staff through increased training.
• With the loss of a large program area to the newly constructed water treatment system in the Lagoons area, staff created several new areas for school programs that will now be additional lesson areas for all programs. • The hiring of three new teacher/naturalists to replace those leaving at the end of 2012. • An all-veteran staff with teacher evaluations reflecting this with superlative comments and many plans to return in 2013.
Walker Valley Reflections - Spring 2013 - Page 14
GSM
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Share the Love While Honoring Mom and Dad Each year on the second Sunday in May and the third Sunday in June, we recognize our parents and all that they have done for us.
the national park. Your gift can give a child the chance to get outdoors, learn something new, and enjoy the natural world in a place like no other.
This year, Sunday, May 12 (Mother’s Day) and Sunday, June 16 (Father’s Day) will be another chance for you to celebrate the one who taught you how to ride a bike, bake a cake, make a friend, and all the other little things that make you who you are today.
Your gift will be acknowledged to both you and your parent(s) (or someone else you might designate in the case of a memorial gift). Your loved one(s) will also be recognized in the next issue of Walker Valley Reflections. Make this a special Mother’s Day or Father’s Day by giving the gift of the outdoors to a child. Visit www.gsmit. org/donate.html, email mail@gsmit. org, or call (865) 448-6709.
Shelly Jacques
One way to show your appreciation is to give a gift in honor or memory of one or both of your parents to Tremont’s Scholarship Fund, providing financial aid to children who otherwise would never experience Tremont and
Behind the Scenes!
OH, IT’S SO GOOD! THE FOOD
At Tremont, we are constantly striving to provide the very best experience to all our participants. In order to do this, there is a lot that goes on behind the scenes. Here’s a sampling of some of this activity including:
Never underestimate the value of good food when you’re working and playing outdoors. At Tremont, we know how important it is to serve healthy and nutritious meals that also taste good. Last year, almost 50,000 meals were served at Tremont. Here are some of the ways we assure all our participants leave the table happy and satisfied: • Whenever possible, tasty, nutritious alternatives are provided for any special dietary needs.
• New Tremont logo items were designed and added to our store inventory, including a new camper T-shirt, twill cap, aluminum water bottle, stainless steel tumbler, and ceramic coffee mug. • A new Chevy 15-passenger van was purchased to help transport our participants during their stay.
• Online registration and online donation acceptance were added to www.gsmit.org.
• Throughout campus, all remaining T12 lighting was replaced with T8’s—more efficient and less expensive than the T12’s.
A Big To Do (or two!)
Dick Byrd
• All new kitchen staff receive a training manual along with their hands-on training. • Meal creation procedures for power outages & other such emergencies are in place and ready should they be needed. • All food service staff are now required to be ServSafe certified.
Our two big fundraising dinners were a great success in 2012! Erin Erickson, one of our Experience Your Smokies Youth Leadership Class of 2016 students speaks at Tremont’s Homecoming dinner.
Bill & Donna Cobble (center), gracious hosts of the annual Marblegate Farm event, are shown here with Teddy Roosevelt repriser Joe Wiegand (left) and special guest Senator Bob Corker. Jack Williams
Walker Valley Reflections - Spring 2013 - Page 15
There’s Something for Everyone at Tremont Do you like to hike? Do you want to learn more about nature photography? Do you long to know more about your national park, its culture, its history, and its inhabitants? Are you looking for fun and engaging activities that will challenge and invigorate every member of your family? Are you looking for a camp that will stimulate you child and not just get them out of the house? There’s something for everyone at Tremont. Check out our 2013 programs at www.gsmit.org and you’ll be excited about the adventures that await you and every member of your family. If you’d rather relax in an easy chair to read through the catalog, just give us a call and we’ll mail you one, or stop by our office and pick one up. We look forward to sharing with you the wonder and beauty of Great Smoky Mountains National Park in a way you’ve never seen it before.
Here’s just a sample of what awaits you: • School Programs that allow students to live and learn in the national park. • A series of field-based programs that engage you in natural history and help you develop the skills to share your knowledge with others. • Professional Development workshops that inspire and invigorate teachers. • Spring and Fall Photography Workshops led by world-renowned experts. • Summer camps like no other—a real learning experience rich with fun and adventure for ages 9-17.
“I was totally impressed with the respect shown to the students and how they are given a nice balance of independence, making it a growing experience.” - chaperone
“I learned more from this course than any I’ve ever taken. Instructors not only had a passion for their material, but were extremely knowledgeable in natural history as well as current research.” - workshop participant Walker Valley Reflections - Spring 2013 - Page 16
SUMMER
More Fun Than You’ll Know What to Do With! Visit www.gsmit.org/SummerYouth.html for information.
AT TREMONT For Kids, ages 9-17: Discovery Camp: June 10-15, June 24-29 and July 15-20
FU
Backcountry Ecological Expedition: June 24-29 and July 2-7
LL
Field Ecology Adventure: July 15-25
FU
Girls In Science Camp: June 10-15
LL
Teen High Adventure: July 15-25 Wilderness Adventure Trek: June 10-15, June 24-29
For Families: Smoky Mountain Family Camp: July 8-13
W Family Adventure in the NEGreat Smoky Mountains - Road Scholar July 1-6, 2013 Spend Trees & Birds Day getting to know a few of the 130 tree species and 240 birds that live in the Smokies. On High Country Day visit the loftiest peaks in the park, glimpse amazing views, explore the spruce-fir forest, and catch Red-cheeked Salamanders found nowhere else on earth. On Backcountry Day get out in the wild on a wilderness hike. And get your feet wet on Aquatic Day while discovering what denizens inhabit the watery depths of mountain streams.
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT WWW.GSMIT.ORG OR CALL 865-448-6709
SPECIAL PROGRAMS Special Programs experienced high attendance this past year and evaluations by participants were overwhelmingly positive. Highlights include the following: • Summer Camp enrollment was up by 20%. • Spring Photo Workshop had significant growth.
• Southern Appalachian Certification Program (SANCP) weekends continued to see full or nearly full attendance.
• The Class of 2016 program was initiated with five students.
Walker Valley Reflections - Spring 2013 - Page 17
New Faces at Tremont John Rakes, teacher/naturalist
As Walker Valley welcomes another spring with spurred violets in bloom and robin song, we at Tremont welcome three new environmental educators. At the end of January Muriah Bottemiller, Casey Franklin, and Ben Marchman joined the Tremont family as teacher/ naturalists. Here is a bit of information to further pique your interest.
EARN COLLEGE CREDIT IN GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK
GREAT SMOKIES EXPERIENCE a unique summer program in partnership with Maryville College
July 18-31, 2013 maryvillecollege.edu
Muriah Bottemiller
Like many who grow up in a military family, Muriah has lived in and explored numerous areas of our country. She first fell in love with the Appalachian Mountains while pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Biology at Lenior-Rhyne University in Hickory, North Carolina. After graduating, she followed her passion for wildlife rehabilitation and education to zoos and aquariums until she discovered an interest in teaching at the Carolina Raptor Center in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Why not get a head start on college this summer?
There, she honed her skills as an educator while traveling to schools, summer camps, and outdoor events to share her knowledge of hawks, falcons, owls, and other raptors with children of all ages.
Zac Schnell
Ben Marchman
Ben was raised on Georgian farmland, his father a teacher. An appreciation of nature and education were instilled in him at a young age.
She enjoys open water scuba diving, reading, and exploring the world around her. Muriah is looking forward to everyday opportunities to share the joys of nature with Tremont participants.
Casey Franklin
Casey, a native of Syracuse, New York, attended Hobart and William Smith Colleges where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Biology and Environmental Studies while exploring the Finger Lakes of Upstate New York. An adventurer at heart, she lived in Cusco, Peru for six months, as well as Washington and Maine, where she was an environmental educator. She enjoys traveling, spending time outside, and listening to music. Casey is looking forward to exploring some of the 900 miles of maintained trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, as well as those “off-the-map” locations.
Like Muriah, the Appalachian Mountains called to Ben, and he attended Brevard College in Western North Carolina, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Wilderness Leadership and Experiential Education. He has traveled extensively and has worked internationally in Costa Rica, Tanzania, and South Africa, to name a few. A seasoned environmental educator, he has taught at centers and camps throughout the southeast and on the west coast. He enjoys flyfishing, birding, road and mountain biking, trail running, and backpacking with his wife, Ashley and their faithful trail dog, Thula. Ben is looking forward to living in this part of the country again. Read more about our staff at www.gsmit.org/staff.html.
Walker Valley Reflections - Spring 2013 - Page 18
What’s New? - Note from Ken We live in a world where anything new is immediately texted, posted, and or tweeted around the world. At Tremont we are helping people to make new discoveries each day. On a winter weekend families spend a weekend outside, making new friends and learning new ways to have fun together. A group of adults, look closely at leaf scars, buds, and other clues to help them recognize trees without leaves. Teachers and students find new ways to learn, using a new text; nature itself! Teachers know that they could find no better way to spend time on task than for their students to experience the principles they learn about first hand.
“You can’t learn these kinds of lessons just from a book!” is something we hear regularly. Being able to stop, look, and listen, can be new in today’s information-streaming, fast-paced world. Re-discovering what real quiet is like can be a gift, but doing that in the context of an experience in the mountains can be transformative.
Something is actually new for me as well. I will be leaving Tremont sometime in early summer when Jennifer and I will head to Montana where I have been offered the opportunity to manage the Yellowstone Institute as Director of Education for the Yellowstone Association. Ken Voorhis This coming June we will have GSMIT Executive Director been at Tremont for 29 years. It has been a high privilege to work with so many talented people and to be a part of this amazing organization. I’ve been witness to thousands of people connecting with nature in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. We will miss the people, the place, and all that is Tremont and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. But, we’ve dipped our toes in the Middle Prong too many times not to be back. What’s new with you? We hope to see you soon!
Transformative education. That is what we are providing at Tremont. That is what the stories as well as the numbers in this annual report reflect. We continue to inspire people, especially children, to be outside. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is our playground and classroom.
Light in the Smokies Photography Contest The top three winners for our 7th annual contest were selected by one of our photography workshop instructors, Tom Vadnais, and a Facebook favorite was chosen online. Judge critiques and honorable mentions can be viewed at www.gsmit.org/photocontest.html.
1st Place Maple Sky Light by Val Joiner
2nd Place Falls Between the Trees by Gerald Liddelow
Walker Valley Reflections - Spring 2013 - Page 19
3rd Place Elk by Mitzi Gellman
Great Smoky Mountains National Park 9275 Tremont Road Townsend, TN 37882
Program catalogs are available by contacting our office: www.gsmit.org (865) 448-6709 mail@gsmit.org STAFF
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Elizabeth Davis
citizen science coordinator Tiffany Beachy
summer teacher/ naturalists
Colin Brumsted Dena Cohen-Copeland Ian Lupey Amy Wilson
Mary Dresser
education director John DiDiego
backpack instructors
Trevor Kennard Andrew O’Neil Clara Ross
special programs coordinator program specialist
Simon Carbone Page Tester Branden Watts
citizen science research interns
Jennie McGuigan
Jeremy Lloyd
environmental education summer interns
Lisa Ribaric Jessica Silveri
school programs coordinator
food service
Nola Austin Linda Hatcher Tosha Martin Fleeta Mathes Chuck McElroy Alex Moeller Melody Phelps Emy Willison
food service director
finance manager
president
grounds & facilities
human resource/office manager
vice president
Dave Osborne
Sam Crowe Dan McGuigan
grounds & facilities manager Doc Johnson
Mike Gross
Charlene Stewart
executive director Ken Voorhis
Cathy Ackermann Billy Carroll
secretary
Sandy Martin
treasurer
Elizabeth Estill
registrar/assistant office manager
past president Ed Pershing
Julie Brown
Directors Esther Bell Kati Blalock Jack Burgin Bill Cobble Randy Gibson George Hashbarger, Jr Jim Haslam Christopher Jackson Richard Johnson Dick Ray Bill Varner Chad Youngblood Jamie Woodson
marketing communications specialist Heather Davis
development/pr director Sandra Byrd
sales
Linda Vananda
sales manager
Gary Carpenter
?
citizen science educator
Caleb Carlton Dawn Dextraze Kathleen Durkin Gina Lappe Patrick McNamara John Rakes
DID YOU KNOW
teacher/naturalists
Did you know that you can receive Walker Valley Reflections by email? Some people prefer to get this newsletter by email rather than through regular mail. If you would like to join them, just let us know at mail@gsmit.org. You can also find past newsletters on our Web site at www.gsmit.org.
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 concept by Lisa Horstman. Designed by Heather Davis.