Neither plant nor animal, lichens are among nature’s most fascinating mysteries — a partnership between fungus and algae that thrives in some of the harshest conditions on earth. This weekend course invites you into their colorful, intricate, and often overlooked world.

You’ll spend most of your time in the field, where Tremont Education Director John DiDiego and guest instructor Jason Hollinger (lichenologist and photographer) will guide you in identifying lichens, understanding their ecology, and appreciating their beauty up close. Expect to crouch on forest trails, examine bark and rock surfaces, and use hand lenses to reveal the hidden structures and forms that make lichens so unique.

Highlights of the course:

• Field-based identification of common Smokies lichens.
• Insights into lichen ecology and their role as indicators of environmental health.
• Techniques for observing lichens through both scientific and artistic lenses.
• Opportunities to connect with a community of fellow enthusiasts and experts.

Whether you’re a beginner or already smitten with these resilient organisms, you’ll leave with new skills, new eyes for detail, and a lasting curiosity about the often-overlooked life forms that color our forests.

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
Jason Hollinger, lichenologist and photographer