Where does the river begin and end? It may sound simple, but this course will challenge your preconceptions as you explore the unique ecology of aquatic systems in the southern Appalachian mountains, particularly as it relates to Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Course features:
- Snorkeling and wading sessions to observe aquatic species and ecosystems first-hand.
- Identifying macroinvertebrates, fish, and other organisms that reveal stream health.
- Field trips that connect aquatic habitats to the surrounding ecosystems.
- Discussions on conservation and water quality in the Southern Appalachians.
This weekend will be full of discovery, exploration, curiosity, and laughter – come prepared to get wet!
This course is part of Tremont’s Southern Appalachian Naturalist Certification Program, which consists of eight core courses. You have the option to enroll in individual courses or complete all eight to earn certification awarded by the University of Tennessee.
Registration includes instruction, food, and lodging in our dorm inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Photos by Tohmi Barrett, Kathy Beardsley, and Shannon Keizer.
Cover photo by David Huff.
Already Registered? Check out the welcome letter for a tentative schedule, packing information, and other essential details for your Tremont program.
Meet the Instructors
Kathleen Reilly
Kathleen Reilly is Field Programs Coordinator at Tremont. She spent the first two decades of her life in the Midwest and graduated from Loyola Chicago with a degree in Environmental Science. The past four years have been spent working at Tremont; teaching school groups, leading backcountry trips, instructing adult programs, and deepening her own knowledge of the Smokies. She has completed the Southern Appalachian Naturalist Certification program and maintains a Wilderness First Responder certification.
Tyler Thomas
Tyler Thomas is the Manager of Science Literacy and Research at Tremont. He earned a B.S. in Environmental and Field Biology at Ohio Northern University and a M.S. in Biology from Plymouth State University. For the past decade, he has been working in environmental education, ecotourism, and field research in New Hampshire, North Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee. His research interests have included horseshoe crabs, birds, sharks, butterflies, and salamanders.
Meet the Instructors
Kathleen Reilly
Kathleen Reilly is Field Programs Coordinator at Tremont. She spent the first two decades of her life in the Midwest and graduated from Loyola Chicago with a degree in Environmental Science. The past four years have been spent working at Tremont; teaching school groups, leading backcountry trips, instructing adult programs, and deepening her own knowledge of the Smokies. She has completed the Southern Appalachian Naturalist Certification program and maintains a Wilderness First Responder certification.
Tyler Thomas
Tyler Thomas is the Manager of Science Literacy and Research at Tremont. He earned a B.S. in Environmental and Field Biology at Ohio Northern University and a M.S. in Biology from Plymouth State University. For the past decade, he has been working in environmental education, ecotourism, and field research in New Hampshire, North Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee. His research interests have included horseshoe crabs, birds, sharks, butterflies, and salamanders.
YOUR HOME BASE IN THE SMOKY MOUNTAINS
At Tremont, the setting is part of the experience. Nestled inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park, our Walker Valley campus is surrounded by forest, mountain streams, and opportunities for discovery around every corner. From shared meals and cozy accommodations to spaces for learning and gathering, get a feel for the place before you arrive.
YOUR HOME BASE IN THE SMOKY MOUNTAINS
At Tremont, the setting is part of the experience. Nestled inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park, our Walker Valley campus is surrounded by forest, mountain streams, and opportunities for discovery around every corner. From shared meals and cozy accommodations to spaces for learning and gathering, get a feel for the place before you arrive.
