Winter 2012 Walker Valley Reflections by Tremont Institute

The newsletter of Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont Winter 2012

In winter the sound of nothing is just right.

—Rick Bass

Wishing you peace and wonder —The Tremont Staff

www.GSMIT.org

Ken Voorhis

Phenology: The ‘-ology ’ for Every Day

Recapturing What We’ve Left Behind

By Tiffany Beachy, citizen science coordinator

uring our October hiking week with both Road Scholar and Sierra Club groups, I was once again impressed by those adults’ joy in exploring the mountains and learning more about the Smokies. I was further impressed by something that I heard from a number of them—an insistent passion that young people have the opportunity to explore wild places as well. A number of these folks wanted to know how they could help kids be involved in the Tremont experience and made donations to our scholarship fund as a result. I’m encouraged that there seems to be an increasing recognition of the importance of getting kids outside. For many people this grows from observing how most children are spending their time today. They are overscheduled and surrounded by technology and media that draw them inside and focused on the windows that peer into those worlds. The “extinction of experience” as Bob Pyle coined it, and we’ve written about before, is real. But as I said, I am encouraged and hopeful. More and more people now know about and are battling the “nature deficit disorder” that Richard Louv coined in Last Child in the Woods. Teachers who bring their students to Tremont frequently comment on the benefit of allowing the kids to unplug for a while—to play together outside—to face nature firsthand. Students who thought they would miss their cell phones and video games soon become engaged with being outside, experiencing the wonder of the Smokies, and realize their “need” for technology is not as great as they thought. While they may rush back to their electronics upon returning home, we encourage kids to think about the opportunities that they may have for outdoor experiences close to home. We urge them to remember what they rediscovered at Tremont and get back out there! We often read this quote by Sigurd Olson about recapturing the joy: “Whenever I return from a trip to the wilderness, it is always a shock to hear the sounds of civilization. Sometimes it is like I had stepped into a different world. When it is more than I can take, I walk into the woods and recapture what I left behind.” For many of the kids we work with today their shock is not at the sounds of civilization but at the quiet and vastness of the woods and mountains. It takes some time,

but they soon get into a natural rhythm. They begin to feel an affinity with and a connection to the natural rhythms and cycles of the Smokies. E.O. Wilson calls this built-in attraction by people to natural things “biophilia,” something we are all hardwired to feel and experience. If you are like many of us who believe in the importance of nurturing children’s sense of wonder by getting them outside, unplugged, and engaged with nature, then why not consider helping to send a student to Tremont? We will give out over $75,000 in financial aid this coming year. Aid goes to schools who have kids who otherwise might not be able to afford the trip; to kids as assistance to attend summer camps; for special initiatives like our Girls In Science camp or Science Seekers program; to our new Class of 2016 Leadership Program; or to other special scholarships. If you want more information about any of these programs or how you can donate to them, please contact us. Another option? Reach out to a kid in your life, ask them to turn off their mobile device, and invite them to go outside.

Ken Voorhis GSMIT Executive Director

‘H ear, Hear!’

screamed the jay

from a neighboring tree, where I had heard a tittering for some time,

‘winter has a concentrated and nutty kernel, if you know where to look for it.’

Walker Valley Reflections — Winter 2012

—Henry David Thoreau November 28, 1858 Journal entry

ake a minute and look around. Find a window and gaze outside. Better yet, step outside, just for a moment. Breathe in deeply. What’s happening out there? What do the trees look like? The flowers? Do you hear any birds? See any insects? What can you smell? Take a mental note. Okay, you can go back inside now (or take your eyes off of the window before someone accuses you of daydreaming). Phenology is the study of seasonal or life-cycle changes in organisms like plants and animals. Take any given day of the year, and there is something happening phenologically. Flowers bloom, birds migrate, trees lose their leaves, squirrels cache nuts, and bears find dens. This ‘ology’ is as broad as the world we live in, as narrow as the precise bloom date of an orchid. Humans have paid attention to phenology for generations to know when to plant, when to harvest, or when to hunt or gather resources. Today, phenology is just as relevant as we use it to study such phenomena as climate change and shifts in species distribution. Here in Walker Valley, we’ve been cataloging phenological changes each season for over 30 years. For staff and seasoned Tremont participants, this effort takes on a rather competitive edge. Who will be the first to observe and record a blooming bloodroot flower? Who will hear the first Black-throated Green Warbler in the spring? Better look at that dogwood tree every day to make sure we don’t miss when its berries ripen to a bright red! Fruit-ripening is one of my favorites, because it means that soon our prized ancient dogwood tree will be a hub of activity as all manner of migrating songbirds descend upon its laden branches to gorge

themselves on protein-rich berries. It starts with a few hungry souls, acting as forerunners to the mayhem that ensues.

Top, GSMIT Archives; Bottom, Tiffany Beachy

GSMIT Archives

From the Executive Director

Every year for two or three days, this tree is like Mecca. Last year in one hour of observation, I saw Wood Thrush, Swainson’s Thrush, Gray-cheeked Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Brown Thrasher, Gray Catbird, Scarlet Tanager, Summer Tanager, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Red-eyed Vireo, and more, all feeding side by side, flying in and out of the tree like it was Grand Central Station. Studying phenology is like being on a never-ending scavenger hunt! You always have something to look for, to anticipate. And as you become familiar with your local happenings, you may begin to notice subtle shifts. For example, we have documented that Black-throated Green Warblers appear to be

arriving on their spring breeding grounds up to two weeks earlier than they did during the 1980s. Wood frogs are breeding sooner, some wildflowers are blooming earlier, and the first hard frost appears to be happening later. Why are these shifts occurring? Along with our national park partners, we recognize the importance of studying these shifts over time to understand potential causes, so we have begun a new largescale phenology project. To pinpoint changes in individual trees, wildflowers, and birds better, we have established a series of plots at different elevations and in different habitat types across the national park where we monitor phenological changes each spring and fall. These 8 plots at Tremont have been operational for two years now, and we already have many good stories to tell about people’s experiences. One grandmother fought to hold back tears as she related to me how her granddaughter struggled in school, but how she felt empowered for perhaps the first time as she realized that she could contribute successfully to this ‘real’ science project—and even do so better than some of her classmates! Local volunteers who come faithfully every week to monitor their ‘adopted’ plots have become attached to the small piece of

continued on page 4

Want to share your observations with the phenology community? Track trees, flowers, or other organisms in your own backyard by using the National Phenology Network’s website: www.usanpn.org. This will help us to understand species changes on a broader scale that will in turn enable us to apply management decisions. Citizen science at its best!

Walker Valley Reflections — Winter 2012

Phenology: The ‘-ology ’ for Every Day

Recapturing What We’ve Left Behind

By Tiffany Beachy, citizen science coordinator

Ken Voorhis GSMIT Executive Director

‘H ear, Hear!’

screamed the jay

from a neighboring tree, where I had heard a tittering for some time,

‘winter has a concentrated and nutty kernel, if you know where to look for it.’

Walker Valley Reflections — Winter 2012

—Henry David Thoreau November 28, 1858 Journal entry

themselves on protein-rich berries. It starts with a few hungry souls, acting as forerunners to the mayhem that ensues.

Top, GSMIT Archives; Bottom, Tiffany Beachy

GSMIT Archives

From the Executive Director

continued on page 4

Walker Valley Reflections — Winter 2012

Catching Insights with a Butterfly Net

Tremont’s Impact on Schools

By John DiDiego, education director

By Jennie McGuigan, school programs coordinator

game? The realistic graphics get pixilated and are reduced to uniform color dots, taking some of the excitement out of the game. What seemed random was really a programmed occurrence. Now return to the example of nature. The closer you get, whether physically or conceptually, the more complex and sometimes, the more beautiful it gets. And instead of answers, closer examination of nature often leads to more and more questions, more lines of inquiry. Viewing a magnified insect wing will blow your mind. I grew up on video games and watched my share of TV. There is nothing wrong with that. But I am reaffirmed in my vocation when I think about what nature can offer a world of kids (and grownups) who are scheduled, busy, and subject to too much preprogrammed ‘reality.’ Nature offers layers of detail, hidden wonders, and no end to unanswered questions. Nature is imbued with real mystery. And it’s the job of the scientist, the poet, the artist, the engineer, the designer, the individual, to search it out, draw on its beauty, and learn from its complexity. The conference session was awesome. I had a net full of fluttering butterflies, a hillside full of weeds and flying insects, and a handful of grownups, swinging nets, examining lepidopterans, and recapturing the wonder of being inquisitive explorers, investigators, and kids again.

photosynthesizing, and no longer able to hang onto the nitrogen, phosphorus, and magnesium they need to make chlorophyll. “It won’t be long before the green disappears gradually allowing the other colors to dominate. It is already happening in the leaves at the very top that have worked the hardest in the full sun.” So what did you see out your window? A leaf slowly changing color? A chipmunk gathering birdseed? A katydid chirping its love song into the night? Write down your observation, and then look for it again about this time next year. You’ll be ‘phenologizing’ before you know it!

Phenology: The ‘-ology ’ for Every Day continued from page 3 land that they visit. They know every tree, rock, and wildflower, and excitedly await the changes each season brings. Mac Post, a graduate of our Southern Appalachian Naturalist Certification Program and an active volunteer with Tremont, eloquently describes seasonal changes from a tree’s perspective. He began monitoring two of our phenology plots just a month ago. “In this short time,” Mac says, “I have taken a much closer look at tree leaves late in the season, near the end of their utility to

the tree. It is amazing how much they have endured during the growing season. “The once tender, flexible, and uniformly bright green light-capturing appendages are now stiff, riddled with holes and spots from insect predators, and a pale version of their younger selves. I can actually feel through these regular observations the trunk reclaiming the nutrients it loaned to these leaves. “I imagine the chloroplasts as being out of breath, no longer really

Walker Valley Reflections — Winter 2012

This is part 2 of a 4-part series following our schools back to the classroom

Spotlighting—Spring City Middle School, Spring City, TN Tremont Stats: • Michelle McCuiston has been bringing her middle school students to Tremont for 3 years. She is scheduled to bring another group of students to Tremont in early March 2013. • Michelle and some of her fellow teachers have participated in our teacher workshops and our annual Scavenger Hunt. • Spring City is located about 2 hours west of the park in the Cumberland Plateau on Watts Bar Lake. This past October at one of our Teacher Escape Weekends, I was able to catch up with Michelle McCuiston, who is the 8th grade computers/8th grade lead teacher at Spring City Middle School. I managed to get in a couple of quick conversations with Michelle. Angie Aikman, the 7th grade science teacher, Bill Chattin, the 6th, 7th and 8th grade technology teacher, and Aaron Loden, the school’s student resource officer, were also here trying to gain more information before bringing their students next March. When I first mentioned to Michelle that I wanted to write an article on her school about the outdoor initiatives her school supports, she was very humble. I told her that many of the things she and her fellow teachers do for their students on campus to extend the same type of learning we do at Tremont, were wonderful but also somewhat rare. As I listened to Michelle talk about how her school provides field trip opportunities for students at all grade levels, it became apparent that hands-on experiences are an

teachers have an idea, “he doesn’t tell us ‘no’ very often. He understands that they (the teachers) have the kids’ best interest at heart. And that’s why he lets us do what we do.” This combined with what we at Tremont have witnessed from the Spring City Middle School’s teachers, definitely gives the sense that students’ needs are at the forefront of what they do, despite the challenge or extra work things like field trips might add to their plate.

important part of the curriculum and school-wide goals. For instance, the 6th grade goes to Nashville, then the 7th grade comes to Tremont the following year. Then in 8th grade, the students travel to Washington, DC. Michelle plans the logistics and sets up fundraisers for all of these trips.

How this school supports outdoor education: I found that part of the school district’s vision in Rhea County is to provide opportunities to students so they “will be academically, socially, and behaviorally prepared to conquer the next challenge in their lives.” Between the teachers and the administration, Spring City Middle

Outdoor opportunities the school is providing for their students: The school is also providing outdoor opportunities for students throughout the year on school grounds by building an outdoor

Spring City Middle School

nsight can come at any moment, but think about how often it happens when you are immersed in nature. I stalked, I leapt, I swished a net. I was having about as much fun as a grown man can have behind a very large church under major construction. I needed an enclosure full of butterflies to wow a group of teachers at the TEEA conference the following morning. One particularly bright orange caught my attention... wait for it... swish. I got it! I carefully transferred the fragile insect to the netted enclosure and took a look at it up close. I had seen the back (or dorsum) of it in flight— bright orange. In the enclosure however, he was perched upside down on the clear plastic at the top. No longer orange, but vivid stripes, light and dark along its ‘belly’ (ventral) side. Not content, I got out my hand lens and crouched next to the enclosure. I was stunned by the luminous contrast of the lines that, under magnification, had facets of light. Here was an amazing Gulf Fritillary. I guess that was when the insight hit me. The closer you look, the more amazing nature is. Just moments before, I had been thinking of how catching butterflies was like a cool video game. It has similar components—a random appearance, a certain amount of skill and technique, the thrill of the chase, and the satisfaction of the catch. But what happens when you get closer to a video

John DiDiego

classroom (fashioned and inspired by Tremont’s Council House), incorporating gardening experiences around campus during school time, incorporating students’ outdoor experiences into their lessons, as well

School seems to have the vision and the drive to make these opportunities happen for their students. In fact, Michelle spoke fondly of her school’s principal, Buddy Jackson, and the support he gives his teachers. Michelle said he was “a great principal” and when the Walker Valley Reflections — Winter 2012

continued on page 6 5

Catching Insights with a Butterfly Net

Tremont’s Impact on Schools

By John DiDiego, education director

By Jennie McGuigan, school programs coordinator

Walker Valley Reflections — Winter 2012

This is part 2 of a 4-part series following our schools back to the classroom

Outdoor opportunities the school is providing for their students: The school is also providing outdoor opportunities for students throughout the year on school grounds by building an outdoor

Spring City Middle School

John DiDiego

continued on page 6 5

Tremont's Impact on Schools continued from page 5 as extra outdoor preparations before their trip to Tremont. When I asked Michelle why they had been so determined to build an outdoor classroom, she said that the kids needed to be outside. She also mentioned that they loved the Council House when they visited Tremont for the first time, and knew they wanted one at their school. Michelle said that they had received a grant from Lowe’s to cover most of the costs to build the outdoor classroom. And what was really amazing was that their principal covered the costs remaining after the grant was used. That in itself really demonstrates the dedication and vision the administration has for its students and teachers. What’s even more exciting is that since building the outdoor classroom, the space has become so popular that they now have to use a sign-up sheet in order to share it with all the classrooms. Students are also involved in landscaping and gardening around campus. To make these experiences impactful for the students beyond just being great outdoor activity, the teachers relate their experiences back to the science they are learning in the classroom. When they are working with plants, it’s a botany lesson. When they find insects, it’s entomology. When they must work together, it’s leadership and stewardship. Michelle and her fellow teachers also spend a fair amount of time during the school year preparing their students for the lessons they will have at Tremont. The teachers seem to accomplish their classroom goals while also helping their students prepare for their time at Tremont. We are glad to know that our curriculum is adaptable and relevant to what goes on in the classroom— this is our goal. Teachers transition their students to Tremont gradually so they get an optimal experience. Seventh graders go on a ‘practice’ hike before they come to Tremont. This hike helps them see where the kids are physically, but also gives the kids a chance to ask questions and feel confident about this new type of learning they will experience in the Smokies. The teachers at Spring City Middle School are working

hard at making daily lessons more hands-on and interdisciplinary. And they are having fun with their students while doing it. It is more than likely that if the teachers are having fun and feeling challenged, the students are too.

Initiatives that will continue at Spring City Middle School: During this next year, there will be more landscaping and gardening. There will also be continued use of the outdoor classroom, along with new fall and spring initiatives that are now in the planning stage.

Thoughts on Tremont teachers: In writing this series showcasing some of Tremont’s schools, teachers, and the great outdoor initiatives going on at these schools, I have realized the following: • Teachers who come to Tremont are dedicated, passionate, and focused on growing wonderful individuals. • The school programs at Tremont are in a large part supported and sustained through the energy and vision of these teachers. • These teachers extend and enhance our mission of “connecting people with nature” in so much of what they do personally and professionally. • As opportunities for children to have meaningful experiences with nature decrease in our culture today, teachers who come to Tremont continue to value and seek out these critical outdoor experiences for their students. Thank You, Teachers!!!

Follow up to Part 1 of Tremont’s Impact on Schools that highlighted Gresham Middle School: On October 12th, a group of fifty 7th grade students and five teachers came to Tremont for a day program. They hiked to the waterfall, explored the geologic processes that have shaped the Smoky Mountains, and enjoyed having school on the mountaintop. We are eager to get them back for an overnight program possibly next spring. THANKS, Gresham!!!

ecently the mother of a student who attended Tremont this past year called and asked for a $75 gift certificate for her child’s teacher. She wanted to give this teacher something special for Christmas and

thought about Tremont and all that the trip to Tremont had meant to her child. You, too, can give the special teacher in your life a gift of “living and learning” in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Call today and order a gift certificate

in any amount. Your special teacher will be glad you did. Gift certificates can be used on any Tremont program and are valid through the end of next year. For more information, call (865) 4486709.

To get an idea of what professional development workshops are available in the coming year, visit gsmit.org/workshops.html.

Walker Valley Reflections — Winter 2012

hirty-seven elementary, middle, and high schools from eight states brought students to Tremont between August and December. If your school is not listed, contact us for more information on how your students can live and learn in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. A. M. Yealey Elementary School, Florence, KY

Concord Christian School, Knoxville, TN

Merrol Hyde Magnet School, Hendersonville, TN

Station Camp Middle School, Gallatin, TN

Alcoa Middle School, Alcoa, TN

East Hardin Middle School, Glendale, KY

Norris Middle School, Norris, TN

Sycamore School, Indianapolis, IN

Berrien County Math & Science Center, Berrien Springs, MI

Episcopal School of Knoxville, Knoxville, TN

Norwood High School, Cincinnati, OH

Tate’s School of Discovery, Knoxville, TN

Freedom Christian Academy, Knoxville, TN

Oak Farm Montessori School, Avilla, IN

Union Grove Elementary School, Friendsville, TN

Gresham Middle School, Knoxville, TN

Oak Hill School, Nashville, TN Oakmont School, Knoxville, TN

Walland Elementary School, Walland, TN

Hewitt-Trussville High School, Trussville, AL

Paideia Academy, Knoxville, TN

Weatherly Heights Elementary, Huntsville, AL

Hume-Fogg Academic High School, Nashville, TN

Pi Beta Phi Elementary School, Gatlinburg, TN

West End Middle School, Nashville, TN

Cherokee Middle School, Kingston, TN

Knox Doss Middle School at Drake’s Creek, Hendersonville, TN

Powell High School, Powell, TN

Woods Charter School, Chapel Hill, NC

Christian Academy of Knoxville, Knoxville, TN

Mason County Middle School, Maysville, KY

Berry College Middle School, Mount Berry, GA Billingsley School, Billingsley, AL Central Middle School, Kokomo, IN Cherokee Bend Elementary School, Birmingham, AL

Sayre School, Lexington, KY Shelbyville Middle School, Shelbyville, IN

Reality Check: Why Special Programs are Good for Your Mind & Body By Jeremy Lloyd, special programs coordinator

A Special Gift for a Very Special Teacher

School Groups at Tremont

ell phone-free zones are rare to come by these days, but Tremont happens to be one of them. Except for the unusual instance when somebody temporarily gets a signal, interruptions that we take for granted everywhere else simply don’t happen in our little valley inside the national park. For an increasing number of people, it matters a lot that there is a place where they can detach and become unavailable for a few days. Case in point: A physician visiting with a school group told me that his

wireless internet service available to our guests. Even so, a Tremont experience means the chance to detach for awhile, be still, reflect on life and allow one’s creaturely senses to be stimulated. Indeed because of the beautiful setting there are plenty of reasons to want to unplug from the digital world—and it’s in just such a place that one may begin to reconsider the role that communication and other

week at Tremont is the only one all year long that is free of phone calls from patients and colleagues who otherwise would be able to reach him any hour of day. Though all of his children have already come through Tremont, he keeps coming himself as a chaperone because of the mental break it provides. “As soon as you get cell service here,” he told me, “I’m not coming anymore.” It’s not as if we at Tremont are still living in Will Walker’s era. After all, we have a landline and make Walker Valley Reflections — Winter 2012

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in any amount. Your special teacher will be glad you did. Gift certificates can be used on any Tremont program and are valid through the end of next year. For more information, call (865) 4486709.

To get an idea of what professional development workshops are available in the coming year, visit gsmit.org/workshops.html.

Walker Valley Reflections — Winter 2012

Concord Christian School, Knoxville, TN

Merrol Hyde Magnet School, Hendersonville, TN

Station Camp Middle School, Gallatin, TN

Alcoa Middle School, Alcoa, TN

East Hardin Middle School, Glendale, KY

Norris Middle School, Norris, TN

Sycamore School, Indianapolis, IN

Berrien County Math & Science Center, Berrien Springs, MI

Episcopal School of Knoxville, Knoxville, TN

Norwood High School, Cincinnati, OH

Tate’s School of Discovery, Knoxville, TN

Freedom Christian Academy, Knoxville, TN

Oak Farm Montessori School, Avilla, IN

Union Grove Elementary School, Friendsville, TN

Gresham Middle School, Knoxville, TN

Oak Hill School, Nashville, TN Oakmont School, Knoxville, TN

Walland Elementary School, Walland, TN

Hewitt-Trussville High School, Trussville, AL

Paideia Academy, Knoxville, TN

Weatherly Heights Elementary, Huntsville, AL

Hume-Fogg Academic High School, Nashville, TN

Pi Beta Phi Elementary School, Gatlinburg, TN

West End Middle School, Nashville, TN

Cherokee Middle School, Kingston, TN

Knox Doss Middle School at Drake’s Creek, Hendersonville, TN

Powell High School, Powell, TN

Woods Charter School, Chapel Hill, NC

Christian Academy of Knoxville, Knoxville, TN

Mason County Middle School, Maysville, KY

Berry College Middle School, Mount Berry, GA Billingsley School, Billingsley, AL Central Middle School, Kokomo, IN Cherokee Bend Elementary School, Birmingham, AL

Sayre School, Lexington, KY Shelbyville Middle School, Shelbyville, IN

Reality Check: Why Special Programs are Good for Your Mind & Body By Jeremy Lloyd, special programs coordinator

A Special Gift for a Very Special Teacher

School Groups at Tremont

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A Unique Smoky Mountain Holiday

f you are looking for something special for this year’s Holiday gathering, Tremont may have just the thing for you and your guests. Whether you’re hosting your family, your friends, a company retreat, or a year-end meeting for your organization, we can make your holiday event a unique and memorable one. And the best part is that while you’re enjoying the beauty of the national park, you and your guests will be learning more about Great Smoky Mountains National Park, its culture, its history, and its mysteries. Where else can you: • Enjoy a naturalist-led hike and learn the real meaning of “night life!” • Sit around a toasty campfire and listen to intriguing stories of those who used to live in the park and sway to good ol’ mountain music.

• Be amazed by the story of the national park then and now! • Spend an afternoon exploring along the river and learn what lives in and near the water. • Learn to folk dance or practice your dancing skills with our tried-and-true instructors. Whether you want a private dinner overlooking the Middle Prong for your party of 12, or you need space for 120 —we will provide Great Smoky Mountains hospitality and programming that can’t be beat. Visit http://www.gsmit.org/GoodTimes.html, fill out the request for information form, and we’ll get back to you promptly. You can also call us at (865) 448-6709 or email us at mail@gsmit.org. Let us help you create a fun-filled adventure that you and your guests will never forget.

Walker Valley Reflections — Winter 2012

By Caleb Carlson, teacher/naturalist

am an educator, therefore I know. Cartesian word play aside, the trending reliance in education on a standardized method and assessment for everything from student financial aid to the judgment of teacher worth proves the statement’s point of arrogance; an expectation founded in the belief that educators have available to them all of the knowledge necessary to mold thirty-five student minds into a standard form that is passable for going forth and making a contribution to society. Seemingly, here in the Age of Information, you either know or you’re left behind, teachers and students alike. Knowledge isn’t power, it’s standard equipment. Forget the process by which the knowing is acquired— we’ve got a cheat sheet, the short route, the culture of standardized testing. Day after day I am asked questions which I simply cannot answer. For most of them, I could probably weave a nifty little lawyer-like response—one that skirts gracefully around the answer without actually penetrating it. In other words, I could almost always ‘save face’ and remain ‘knowing’ in the eyes of the students visiting Tremont. Upon a pedestal of knowledge is, in fact, the place that many teachers and students expect me to remain. After all, I live and work with nature, and if I don’t know her secrets, who could?

Many times each day, I unguardedly throw out the most humbling and leveling phrase ever uttered by any human being: ‘I don’t know.’ I used to feel insecure in my lack

through, dichotomous keys are navigated, habitats are surveyed, physical adaptations are scoured for through the magnification of a hand lens, and the sequence of events that follows involves more questioning and more of good old ‘I don’t know.’ That’s right, more standard than anything else in the educational work that I do for Tremont is the absence of knowing. And yet I have accumulated more knowledge in my time at Tremont than I ever did in school. Students who visit Tremont measurably demonstrate greater interest in learning, stewardship, and awareness of the park and its resources. How can all of this be if I am sitting around saying ‘I don’t know’ all of the time? Because when we don’t know, (but want to know because we are watching our question crawl up our arm or sway in the breeze while towering overhead), we find ourselves flipping through the field guides and digging in the dirt, undergoing the process of discovery, of active learning, naturalists, students, teachers, and parent chaperones—all together. We are building knowledge through a multitude of paths, we are all starting at the same level, and somewhere along the journey, the paths that we take to knowing become just as important to the discovery as any final answer. GSMIT Archives

Ken Voorhis

technologies play in our lives. A number of books published in recent years have explored this very topic. In The Myth of Multitasking: How ‘Doing It All’ Gets Nothing Done, Dave Crenshaw debunks the myth that multitasking saves time and money. In fact, it does just the opposite. Rather than increasing efficiency, multitasking often damages productivity as well as relationships at work and at home. In The Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains, Nicholas Carr asks, “Is Google making us stupid?” and shows how we are losing our capacity for concentration, contemplation, and reflection. In Virtually You: The Dangerous Powers of the E-Personality, Elias Aboujaoude, MD, provides data showing the vices that individuals develop when they spend a lot of

The Power of ‘I Don’t Know ’

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upcoming opportunities include backpack and field science camps. For retirees, college students, and everybody in between there are three weeklong hiking programs next year (including a new one in September). For folks in their twenties, it’s a wonderful chance to spend time with older individuals eager to share their wisdom, experience and sense of adventure. For families, there’s a winter weekend adventure in February and two weeklong camps in July, including one that’s brand new. Other opportunities abound including spring and fall photography workshops, and eight weekend courses which make up our Southern Appalachian Naturalist Certification Program.

time online, including delusions of grandeur, impulsivity, addictive behavior, infantile regression, a tendency toward “everyday viciousness,” and the illusion that one knows more than one actually does. (Simply check the comments section at the bottom of any online news story for examples of these last two vices.) And in Distracted: The Erosion of Attention and the Coming Dark Age, Maggie Jackson warns how our growing inability to hold sustained focus is leading to a kind of societal ADD that affects marriages, parenting, education and democracy. Issues such as these may or may not be pressing in your life. But chances are good that you know someone for whom they are. Someone who could use a reality check. Special programs at Tremont are designed to do just that. They’re opportunities to reconnect with the natural world among a community of real in-theflesh people without the distractions. For the plugged-in teenagers in your life,

Photos

Reality Check...

of knowledge, as working at Tremont demands a vast width of information-base that takes time and effort to acquire. I used to think that it was my duty to rattle off the answers, to instantly satisfy the natural curiosities that come when students are exploring the new worlds that Great Smoky Mountains National Park houses. I used to think that my job was to provide knowledge. I now know better. When I say those words, ‘I don’t know,’ out on the trail in response to a question about the life cycle of a particular moth or the species of spider that a student caught, the magic does not end for me or the students. It begins—rather, the process begins. The process of discovery; of coming into knowledge by way of seeking. Field guides are leafed Walker Valley Reflections — Winter 2012

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A Unique Smoky Mountain Holiday

Walker Valley Reflections — Winter 2012

By Caleb Carlson, teacher/naturalist

Many times each day, I unguardedly throw out the most humbling and leveling phrase ever uttered by any human being: ‘I don’t know.’ I used to feel insecure in my lack

Ken Voorhis

The Power of ‘I Don’t Know ’

continued from page 7

Photos

Reality Check...

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A Cool Place To Be By Caleb Carlson, teacher/naturalist

housands of students come to Tremont during the school year for an educational experience vastly different than that available to them in the classroom. They discover the wonders of geologic time by discovering boulder fields created during the Ice Ages, come to appreciate the life of a tree by touching it, measuring it, tasting it, gazing up at it. The Tremont experience, as we all know so well, is a revelatory

moment in the life of a young person. Note the emphasis on ‘moment.’ For a host of reasons, students’ 3 or 5 days at Tremont may well be one of a handful of (if not their only) formal education experiences in the outdoors in K-12 schooling. Consequentially, a trip to Tremont can easily become an ‘island experience’—a foreign moment very different from everyday life. We, and our community of participating teachers, recognize the power of learning firsthand from our planet, and we are working toward providing a place to extend that power beyond the walls of

What I have come to appreciate most through educating at Tremont is that learning focused on the process of coming into knowledge produces far more than a concrete answer to a particular question. Process-based learning creates a culture of seeking out the world that is steeped in wonder and discovery, through which each individual is encouraged to unearth knowledge by way of a first-hand relationship with the subject. And that first-hand connection—that salamander that you caught out of the stream, weighed, measured, noted the physical adaptations of, painstakingly identified to species level, looked into the eyes of, released back into the stream so as to continue a life—that process cannot be standardized nor the answer neatly fit into a multiple choice format. The knowledge acquired is so much more than a tangible answer. It’s the experience and the relationship forged in journeying to the answer that resonates emotionally and intellectually on down the line. The All-Taxa Biodiversity Inventory, an unparalleled research initiative in the park with the aim of identifying every species of life within the Smokies, has discovered 7,391 species of life new to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and 922 species of life new to all of science. Each of those discoveries began with ‘I don’t know’ and culminated with knowledge new to all of humanity. To date, there are 17,797 tallied species of life in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but estimates put the actual number of species here in the ballpark of 100,000. That leaves 80,000 or so novel discoveries waiting to be made, right underneath our feet, where thousands of students have experienced the power of ‘I don’t know.’ When we bring students into the Tremont adventure, into the experience of learning, we are setting course for the greatest adventure of being human—the adventure of discovering our world and ourselves along the way, with the great unknowns as our fuel for the trip. In a world of standardization and bounded expectation, the notion of so much yet to discover is a liberating thing for all of us.

Walker Valley. Enter our new website, The Middle Prong Press. This is a (still being built) location for teachers to access the power of place that Tremont holds for students who visit. Picture of the Day, seasonal video highlights, audio and video podcasts, nature-inspired art, nature knowledge sharing, and more can all be found on this website. We are also working to create a library of

videos that teachers can use to overlap their teaching standards and the Tremont experience. All of this is being done in the name of extending the Tremont experience—keeping that moment in the Smokies relevant in the lives and educations of the young people who are fortunate enough to have visited. The coolest part? Pretty much everything we put on the website is so cool that anybody, any age, can go onto the site and discover a deeper awesomeness of life. Check it out and see for yourself. www.themiddleprongpress.com

Walker Valley Reflections — Winter 2012

Four Years of Growing & Learning in the National Park

The Power of 'I Don't Know'

Class of 2016 Youth Conservation Leadership Program By Sandi Byrd, director of development & public relations

nspired by one of the actions sponsor that would sponsor them at financial support from corporations, suggested in the recent National $100 each year. Tremont and EYS will foundations and individuals to fund Park Service Call to Action, Tremont work with students to help identify this program at approximately $6,000 has created a unique program their sponsors. a year. If you are interested in being a opportunity to develop young The program kicked off this past sponsor for a student or would like leaders. summer with the first five students to help fund this program, please The goal is to help young people participating in a weeklong Smokies contact John DiDiego, at (865) 448develop a deeper understanding of expedition camp. 6709. park resources and the relevance of The culminating parks in their lives through a series experience will be designed of education programs. Following a by the students but could group of students from 8th grade involve a trip to through graduation from high school, Washington, DC to share the program will include a series of their experiences with fun, educational, and engaging National Park Service and activities that will culminate in 2016 other leaders, or an with the National Park Service expedition to another Centennial. “Our intent is for this to be a he physical challenges of this trip pushed me beyond diverse group of anything that I had ever done before. Conquering this students challenge has given me a renewed sense of who I am and my representative of role as a steward of the earth. For me, completing this trip the park’s was a monumental accomplishment, and I am so grateful to gateway be a part of this program! I am looking forward to our future communities, as activities!” well as the U.S. —2016 Participant after their expedition, summer 2012. population in 2016 and beyond,” said Education Director John DiDiego. national park. Students will “The kids we are looking for will be receive exposure to involved with us over the next four conservation careers and be plus years and will have the interest encouraged to apply for and potential for becoming internships with Tremont or tomorrow’s conservation leaders,” he the National Park Service continued. after they graduate. The students commit to be Tremont is seeking involved one week each summer in an active outdoor learning expedition within the national park and a What’s Your Story? willingness to attend additional optional outings and education id you visit Tremont as a child? Maybe you came with a school group, spent a summer at opportunities at other times camp, or worked as a teacher/naturalist one season. We want to hear from you. Did your throughout each year. Costs for the Tremont experience inspire you to work in environmental education? Have you shared the program will be fully funded with wonders of the Smokies with others after discovering it for yourself at Tremont? Email the exception that each student will heather@gsmit.org and share your story. We’d like to feature Tremont alumni in future editions be expected to work with their of our newsletter, e-news, and on our Web site. mentor to identify a community

“T

Walker Valley Reflections — Winter 2012

Gina Lappe

The Middle Prong Press

continued from page 9

A Cool Place To Be By Caleb Carlson, teacher/naturalist

Walker Valley Reflections — Winter 2012

Four Years of Growing & Learning in the National Park

The Power of 'I Don't Know'

Class of 2016 Youth Conservation Leadership Program By Sandi Byrd, director of development & public relations

“T

Walker Valley Reflections — Winter 2012

Gina Lappe

The Middle Prong Press

7th Annual Photography Contest is Open for Business!

The Perfect Homecoming By Sandi Byrd, director of development & public relations

Theme: Light in the Smokies

unday, September 18th was a perfect day. The sun was shining brightly, but fall was in the air and the weather was mild for the record crowd on hand for Tremont’s 6th annual Homecoming event. During the reception, attendees participated in various hands-on program activities with Tremont’s education staff and experienced some of the teaching techniques that connect thousands of school children to nature each year at Tremont. They also took time to check out the silent auction tables loaded with fun and unique items. For the sixth year in a row, Steve Filmore and Miss Lily’s provided awesome BBQ, accompanied by delicious sides and desserts prepared by Tremont’s own Chef Dave and his staff. Bluegrass music by Lost Mill String Band provided a perfect background to all the activities. Over dessert, guests listened to a number of Tremont participants who spoke about their experiences in the park, including Esther Bell, who was a presenter at this year’s Girls In Science camp. Esther is also CEO of Global Intellectual Property Asset Management, our presenting sponsor for this year’s Homecoming. Other sponsors included Pershing Yoakley & Associates, The Trust Company, The Knoxville News Sentinel, WBIR-TV, and our wonderful hosts for

Cades Cove at sunset as captured by Danny Ramey

When voting closes, the photo with the most “likes” will be named our Facebook Favorite. Voting on Facebook begins at 8:30 AM on March 1, 2013 and ends at 8:30 AM on March 8, 2013. Winners will be announced on March 15, 2013 on our web site, our Facebook page, and in our spring newsletter. All photos must be submitted by 11:59 PM EST,  February 28, 2013. To learn more about how to enter, go to gsmit.org/photocontest.html.

Gift certificates available!

Top

It’s not too late to complete your holiday shopping. Call (865) 448-6709 or e-mail Tremont at mail@gsmit.org to learn how you can give your loved ones an educational treat right here at Tremont!

Dick Byrd; Bottom, Ken Voorhis

his year, Tremont’s photo contest has one round, one theme, and two ways to win. Tom Vadnais, who has been one of the instructors for both our Spring & Fall Adult Photography Weekend workshops since 2004, will be our judge. After the submission deadline, Tom will review the photos, then pick and critique the top three. In addition we will also post all of the entered photos on Tremont's Facebook page for all the world to see. Find a favorite? “Like” the photo, and that’s your vote!

and center,

the evening, including: Janet and Tim Bigelow, Teresa Brinson, Suzanne Brown, Marty and Dr. Henry Callaway, Susan Cooper, Beth and Larry Dicus, Carolyn Forster, Debe and Charles Hanie, Pat and Bill Irby, Patria and Dudley Leath, Lorna and Lloyd Luketin, Jane Qualls McGuire, Sandy and Bob Merriman, Amanda and Kevin Painter, Sue and Bob Ramger, Vicki and Jerry Roddy, Becky and Joe Swann, Jeanie and Barry VanWinkle, Kathy and John Wilbanks. On behalf of so many children and families who experience nature at its finest in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, we thank all who participated in this year’s event.

Walker Valley Reflections — Winter 2012

7th Annual Photography Contest is Open for Business!

The Perfect Homecoming By Sandi Byrd, director of development & public relations

Theme: Light in the Smokies

Cades Cove at sunset as captured by Danny Ramey

Gift certificates available!

Top

It’s not too late to complete your holiday shopping. Call (865) 448-6709 or e-mail Tremont at mail@gsmit.org to learn how you can give your loved ones an educational treat right here at Tremont!

Dick Byrd; Bottom, Ken Voorhis

and center,

Walker Valley Reflections — Winter 2012

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 through our secure store site at www.gsmit.org/donate.html.

Donations From 7/1/12 to 9/1/12:

Annual Fund

Endowment Fund

Grady Amann Jeff & Susan Barnes Jennifer Bausman Bernie Bowman David Bryant Sandi & Dick Byrd Kim Cleary-Sadler Sue Deepe Sue Green Michael Hartnett Richard Holland Margie Hunter Carolyn King Jon Lawler Anne McWhirter Kenneth & Irene Novak Mark & Nancy Peacock Harold Roth William Truex Eileen Wilson Eric Wilson

David, Caroline, & Erin Erickson Jeff & Alice Fisher Mark & Kim Galloway Jim Killebrew Kathy Newman Joyce Pope Wilfred “Mac” Post Fred & Wanda Szak Woodpickers

Scholarship Fund Cathy Ackermann Lois & Don Alexander Annette Anderson Charlotte Appleton Sherry Ball Tom Ballard Esther Bell Aerin Benavides C.P. & J.S. Benziger John & Sara Berry Tim & Janet Bigelow

Teresa Brinson Suzanne Brown David & Gloria Buck William & Suzanne Buie Sandi & Dick Byrd Harry & Teresa Call Jim & Van Callaway Sue Charles Glenn & Debbie Claypool Mike & Connie Clemmer Liz Coburn Susan Cooper Patricia Curtis Ronald & Bev Dalia Heather Davis James Davis David Dickey Larry & Beth Dicus Mary Dresser Hank & Margaret Dye Billie Edwards Mary Anne Edwards Ralph & Dorothy Egli Tom & Marian Fitzgerald Andrew & Linda Franklin

Citizen Science Research & Other Volunteers From 7/1/12 to 9/1/12: Charlotte Appleton Brett Baker Sally Beachy Katie Beckner Janet Bigelow Rachel Bigelow Tim Bigelow Elizabeth Bosse Lea Bosse Sarah Bosse Thomas Bosse AnnaLee Brown Claude Brown Jennie Burke Kyle Bush Sara Bush Traci Bush Dick Byrd Debbie Claypool Glenn Claypool

Susan Cooper Kristofer Covington Audrey Crawford Danielle Crocker Bennett Croft Justin Croft Dawn Crouse Michael J. Crouse Miles Crouse Lewis Culpepper Aimee Davis Larry Davis Mallory Davis Paul Davis Will Davis Susie Delozier Wanda DeWaard Carolina Dolislager Garrett Dolislager Ron Dolislager

Tony Doriguzzi Mary Dresser Jodi Eanes Sue Evans Alice Fisher Grant Fisher Heather Floan Michael Floan Olken Foneme Doug Franklin Grace Franklin Jennifer Franklin Maggie Franklin Aidan Galloway Kathe Galloway Robin Goddard Mike Gross Ruthie Groth Betty Hadley Brian Hadley

Carolyn Franks Mark & Kim Galloway Jim & Robin Goddard Roger & Maria Goetz C. Keith Goff Charlie & Debe Hanie Gail Harris Michael & Lora Harvey Robert & Melinda Headrick Freida Herron Parks Hitch, Jr. Bud Hopkins Bill & Patricia Irby Malcolm & Barbara Johnson Kathleen Kerin Harold & Jean Lambert Jacklyn Lane Cecily Langellier Henry & Shirley Law Russell & Sheri Liles Lloyd Luketin Frank March Janet McKinley Charles & Clara McNutt Sue Milinkovich Kathy Newman Herbert & Beverly Ogle Doug Overbey Kevin & Amanda Painter Edward Pershing Pershing Yoakley & Associates Joyce Pope Wilfred “Mac” Post Bob Proffitt PYA Community Support Foundation

Charlie Hanie Ralye Hartman Bill Hawk Aaron Hayes Walter Hedge Donna Higdon Steve Higdon Louise Hilenicki Tom Holden Deanna Hood Haley Hoo Erin Horton Claire Horton Amelia Horton Bill Irby Pat Irby Jolanda Jansma Karen Jernigan Madie Jinks Noah Jinks Seth Jinks Violet Kulp Michael Kulp Pauline Kulp Julie Labhart Alexis Lawson

Walker Valley Reflections — Winter 2012

Robert Ramsey Dick Ray Jane Richardson Jerry & Vicki Roddy Richard Ryburn Jim & Jane Sidwell Jeffrey Spitzer Wes & Liz Stowers, Jr. David & Sadie Stroud Don & Martha Sundquist Joe & Becky Swann Don Taylor The Trust Company of Knoxville Bob & Lil Tiebout Peggy Tollison Michael & Christine Tully John & Martie Ulmer Terry & Marsha Uselton Barry & Jeanie VanWinkle Georgiana Vines Ken & Jennifer Voorhis Tasha Wade Steve Watts Taylor & Kristi Weatherbee Jim & Georgie Whitley John & Kathy Wilbanks Joel Williams DiAnne Wilson Eileen Wilson Kae Wrinkle

Looking Ahead

In Memory of Wayne Clements Diane Haines

In addition to our year-round school programs, we also offer youth, family, and adult programs. Visit www.gsmit.org, call (865) 448-6709, or e-mail mail@gsmit.org for more information on our offerings!

In Memory of Barbara Dale Tremont Staff

In Memory of Wilbur Devendorf Jacqueline Brown

In Memory of Ian Lupey’s Grandmother Mary Dresser

In Memory of Michael Klein Lois Klein

In Memory of Martha O’Connor Canfield Robert & Renee O’Connor

In Memory of Adam Stine Stephanie Ramsey

In Memory of Arthur & Margaret Stupka Maryann Stupka

In Honor of Bill & Donna Cobble Friendship Gardeners Club

JANUARY

Wilderness First Responder January 20-27, 2013

If you are interested in the wilderness or in emergency medical training, you will benefit from this course. Instructors from Roane State Community College lead the program, with a curriculum that meets the Tennessee Emergency Medical Services and national registry standards for First Responder training. When you complete the program, you will be eligible for state testing.

FEBRUARY

Naturalist Skills*

February 1-3, 2013

If you have taken Wilderness First Responder in the past, this program will satisfy the requirements to renew certification on the national registry. It is also an excellent review of wilderness medical information and skills. Limited enrollment! Cost: $393. Includes instruction, meals, and lodging.

Family Adventure Weekend

Gar Secrist Keane Secrist Richard Secrist Spain Secrist Renee Sniegocki Laura Spargo Bryan Stache Holly Stache Joe Strickland David Styles Andy Troutman Debbie Troutman Kestrel Troutman Jeanie VanWinkle Jenni Veal Lucy Veal Erin Wadley Jeff Wadley Joy Wadley Frank Whetstone Stacy Whetstone Kathy Wilbanks Michelle Wright Cecelia Wright Sophie Wright

This family weekend is chock full of hikes, crafts, games, waterfalls, beautiful views, campfires, and plenty of time to enjoy being with the ones you love. We will provide discovery and adventure AND we do all the cooking. It doesn’t get much better than this! Cost: $422 for family of four ages 6 and up ($93 for each additional person). If a weekend just isn’t enough, check out our Smoky Mountains Family Camp held July 8-13, 2013.

Educators’ Workshop: Likin’ Lichens February 15-17, 2013

Not a plant, not a fungus, lichens are a surprisingly elegant combination of the two. You’ll spend the weekend delving into their enchanting world as you learn their basic ecology, identification, and natural history. Fee includes all instruction, materials, meals, and lodging. Cost: $268. Thanks to funding from the North Carolina Department of Transportation, this workshop is available for a $50 non-refundable registration fee to the first 10 formal and non-formal educators who sign up for the workshop. Space is limited, so register early!

Le Conte Lodge Overnight

Learn to make deeper connections to the natural world through the art of nature interpretation. During this weekend, you learn basic principles of environmental education and interpretation, practice effective communication, and begin to develop meaningful interpretive programs. Expect fun and hands-on activities that nudge you center stage to explore and enhance your inner teacher/ naturalist. Cost: $308/person. Includes instruction, meals, and lodging.

Wilderness First Responder Refresher

at www.roadscholar.org using program code 2263.

February 15-17, 2013

Cost: $795. Includes instruction, meals, and lodging.

February 8-10, 2013

Tammera Lawson Audrey Little Chloe Luecke Laine Lyles Eric Mattson Chuck McElroy Daniel Metcalf Hannah Metcalf Karen Metcalf Sarah Metcalf Deanna Moon Isabelle Morstatt Joseph Morstatt Leslie Morstatt Caroline Moss Cathy Moss Wanda Murphy Talisa Neloms Tessa Nuchols Taelyr Phillips Brenda Perryman Elaine Polisastro Pam Reagan Lydia Reese Christina Riley Carolyn Rogers

Interpretation: A Teachable Art*

April 19-20, 2013

Hike to the top of the Smokies and spend the night at historic LeConte Lodge, the highest elevation lodge in the eastern United States. Along the way, your friendly Tremont teacher/ naturalist will share his/her knowledge of natural history, high elevation ecology, and science. While at the top, you’ll relax and enjoy spectacular views, hearty meals, and a cozy bed. We suggest you sign-up with a friend, or be prepared to bunk with a new one. Cost: $290. Includes all meals, lodging, and instruction.

February 17, 2013

This course provides an historical survey of the study of natural history and its practice. You learn naturalist traditions, observation techniques, journal keeping, and other tools of a naturalist. Naturalist Skills is offered on Sunday afternoon of the same weekend as Interpretation: A Teachable Art, so you can complete two courses in one weekend. There is no additional charge for this short workshop.

Springtime in the Smokies Photography Workshop April 19-22, 2013

Capture the wonder of sunrise, sunset, wildflowers, and lavish landscapes! Nationallyrecognized nature photographer Bill Lea will lead a workshop emphasizing wildlife, landscape, and macro photography. Price includes meals and lodging, plus instruction by one of the finest teams of photography instructors anywhere in the country.

MARCH

Smokies Scavenger Hunt

Cost: $611.

March 16, 2013

It’s not too early to start gathering your team— friends, family, co-workers—for the 6th annual Great Smoky Mountains Scavenger Hunt! You and your team will seek answers to questions that will test your knowledge of the national park. You’ll enjoy a scrumptious Tremont dinner while the judges tally the answers. Go to gsmit.org/hunt. html for more information.

* Southern Appalachian Naturalist Certification Program

A Very Special Gift With a bequest to Tremont, you are making a very special gift. Options for doing so include cash bequests, gifts of property, gifts of life insurance, gifts of securities, a share of the residue of your estate or the remainder of a trust.

Cost: $50 per team

APRIL

Spring Hiking Road Scholar April 7-12, 2013

If you have included a bequest to Tremont in your will or in a codicil to your will, please let us know so we can thank you.

Discover the beauty of spring in the most rugged mountains in Appalachia! Led by our education staff, daily hikes of 5-13 miles will explore the cultural and natural history of this region with its unique traditions and rich biodiversity. Start each day with a hot breakfast, then pack a lunch, grab your daypack and head out on the trail. In the evenings, enjoy a fine meal at Tremont followed by Appalachian music and stories or educational sessions.

If you have not yet made such a gift and would like more information about how you can leave a legacy to Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont, please call Sandi Byrd at (865) 448-6709 or send an e-mail to Sandi@gsmit.org.

Cost: $595. Find more information and registration

Walker Valley Reflections — Winter 2012

THANK YOU!

Donations From 7/1/12 to 9/1/12:

Annual Fund

Endowment Fund

David, Caroline, & Erin Erickson Jeff & Alice Fisher Mark & Kim Galloway Jim Killebrew Kathy Newman Joyce Pope Wilfred “Mac” Post Fred & Wanda Szak Woodpickers

Walker Valley Reflections — Winter 2012

Looking Ahead

In Memory of Wayne Clements Diane Haines

In Memory of Barbara Dale Tremont Staff

In Memory of Wilbur Devendorf Jacqueline Brown

In Memory of Ian Lupey’s Grandmother Mary Dresser

In Memory of Michael Klein Lois Klein

In Memory of Martha O’Connor Canfield Robert & Renee O’Connor

In Memory of Adam Stine Stephanie Ramsey

In Memory of Arthur & Margaret Stupka Maryann Stupka

In Honor of Bill & Donna Cobble Friendship Gardeners Club

JANUARY

Wilderness First Responder January 20-27, 2013

FEBRUARY

Naturalist Skills*

February 1-3, 2013

Family Adventure Weekend

Educators’ Workshop: Likin’ Lichens February 15-17, 2013

Le Conte Lodge Overnight

Wilderness First Responder Refresher

at www.roadscholar.org using program code 2263.

February 15-17, 2013

Cost: $795. Includes instruction, meals, and lodging.

February 8-10, 2013

Interpretation: A Teachable Art*

April 19-20, 2013

February 17, 2013

Springtime in the Smokies Photography Workshop April 19-22, 2013

MARCH

Smokies Scavenger Hunt

Cost: $611.

March 16, 2013

* Southern Appalachian Naturalist Certification Program

Cost: $50 per team

APRIL

Spring Hiking Road Scholar April 7-12, 2013

If you have included a bequest to Tremont in your will or in a codicil to your will, please let us know so we can thank you.

Cost: $595. Find more information and registration

Walker Valley Reflections — Winter 2012

Non-Profit Org. US Postage

PAID Great Smoky Mountains National Park 9275 Tremont Road Townsend, TN 37882

Permit No. 127 Knoxville, TN

We now have 3,484 Facebook fans! Won't you join us too?

Program brochures are available by contacting our office: teacher/naturalists Caleb Carlton Dawn Dextraze Kathleen Durkin Gina Lappe Patrick McNamara John Rakes

food service Linda Hatcher Fleeta Mathes Chuck McElroy Alex Moeller Melody Phelps Emma Lou Willison

citizen science coordinator Tiffany Beachy

food service director Dave Osborne

school programs coordinator Jennie McGuigan

grounds & facilities Dan McGuigan Sam Crowe Doc Johnson

special programs coordinator Jeremy Lloyd

registrar/assistant office manager Julie Brown

program specialist Mary Dresser

marketing communications specialist Heather Davis

sales Linda Vananda Gary Carpenter finance manager Mike Gross

human resource/office manager Charlene Stewart executive director Ken Voorhis

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

president Cathy Ackermann vice president Billy Carroll secretary Sandy Martin treasurer Elizabeth Estill past president Ed Pershing

directors Kati Blalock Jack Burgin Bill Cobble Randy Gibson George Hashbarger Jim Haslam Christopher Jackson Richard Johnson Dick Ray Jamie Woodson Blll Varner Chad Youngblood

Tremont is updating our database. Would you please review your information above and let us know of any changes? Reach us at mail@gsmit.org or (865) 448-6709.

KNOW

DID YOU

education director John DiDiego

development/pr director Sandi Byrd

STAFF

www.gsmit.org â&#x20AC;˘ (865) 448-6709 â&#x20AC;˘ mail@gsmit.org

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 website 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% postrecycled paper. Newsletter design concept by Lisa Horstman. Designed by Shelly Powell.