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.
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.
Registration includes instruction, food, and lodging in our dorm inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Photos by Dane Andersen, David Bryant, John DiDiego, Liz Dulac, and Stephanie Sweeney.
Cover photo by Liz Dulac.
Already Registered? Check out the welcome letter for a tentative schedule, packing information, and other essential details for your Tremont program.
Meet the Instructors
John DiDiego
John is the Education Director at Tremont. He holds a BA degree in English Literature from the University of Notre Dame and an MS in Natural Resources/Environmental Education from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. In 30 years of leading people of all ages on outdoor adventures, he has never stopped feeling that tingle of excitement when he hears a new bird, notices a new mushroom, or spies a snake just off the path. He takes a special interest in reptiles, amphibians, and lichens and has been an instructor in the Southern Appalachian Naturalist Certification Program since 2009.
Jason Hollinger
Lichenologist, photographer, and co-author of “Common Lichens of the Upland Southeast: Appalachia and the Piedmont”
Meet the Instructors
John DiDiego
John is the Education Director at Tremont. He holds a BA degree in English Literature from the University of Notre Dame and an MS in Natural Resources/Environmental Education from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. In 30 years of leading people of all ages on outdoor adventures, he has never stopped feeling that tingle of excitement when he hears a new bird, notices a new mushroom, or spies a snake just off the path. He takes a special interest in reptiles, amphibians, and lichens and has been an instructor in the Southern Appalachian Naturalist Certification Program since 2009.
Jason Hollinger
Lichenologist, photographer, and co-author of “Common Lichens of the Upland Southeast: Appalachia and the Piedmont”
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.
