Lichens have captivated humans for a long time. These mysterious and diverse organisms have fascinating life histories – they defy our understanding of species and our ability to categorize everything in neat boxes. They just don’t play by the rules!

During this field-based course, you’ll spend the weekend delving into the colorful, intricate, diverse, and critically important world of lichens, learning their basic ecology, identification, and natural history. Like many of our Naturalist Certification programs, this course includes some lecture time, but consists of mostly hands-on fieldwork. Whether you are brand new to lichens or a seasoned veteran, if you love or want to love lichens, this weekend is for you.

Registration includes instruction, food, and lodging in our dorm inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park. 

This course is an elective in 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.

Already Registered? Check out the welcome letter for required readings, a tentative itinerary, and other essential details for your stay.

About the Instructors
John DiDiego, Tremont’s Education Director and lifelong lichen enthusiast
Nastassja Noell, lichenologist and artist
Jason Hollinger, lichenologist and photographer