Can’t make this date? Join us for Naturalist Skills in the winter.
The natural world is full of mystery, beauty, and wonder – often revealed only in fleeting glimpses. This immersive weekend course is designed to sharpen your skills as an observer, interpreter, and storyteller of the natural world, giving you the tools to carry your curiosity into any landscape.
Over the weekend, you’ll dive into field-based training with Tremont’s experienced teaching staff, developing core habits that professional scientists and lifelong naturalists use to deepen their understanding of the natural world. You’ll spend time outdoors journaling, sketching, taking structured observations, and experimenting with different methods for recording patterns in the world around you. You’ll connect those observations to the long tradition of naturalist-explorers who have used their craft to better understand both nature and themselves.
Key highlights include:
- Hands-on practice with naturalist journals, from quick sketches to reflective writing.
- Tips for noticing ecological patterns and asking stronger, curiosity-driven questions.
- Group discussions that build confidence in interpreting your observations.
- A supportive community of peers, where wonder and curiosity are shared openly.
By the end of the weekend, you won’t just walk away with better observation skills. You’ll carry a new mindset for seeing the world through a naturalist’s eyes – one that makes every hike, backyard stroll, or classroom lesson richer and more rewarding. Whether you’re brand-new to this journey or have been practicing for years, this course is a chance to reawaken your sense of wonder and grow your personal toolkit for lifelong learning.
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.
Rich Bryant, David Bryant, Rachel Cox, Jason Deck, John DiDiego, and Chrissy Donadi.
Cover photo by Rich Bryant.
Naturalist Skills at a Glance
Date: September 17, 2027 - September 19, 2027
Ages: Adults
Location: Tremont’s Smokies Campus
9275 Tremont Road
Townsend, TN 37882
Already Registered? Check out the welcome letter for a tentative schedule, packing information, and other essential details for your Tremont program.
Meet Your Instructor
Logan Rosenberg
Logan Rosenberg is the Youth Programs Director at Tremont Institute. He graduated from St. Mary’s College of Maryland with degrees in English and French Literature. He also has a Master’s in Education, with a focus on Environmental Education, from Prescott College. His graduate studies focused on using naturalist skills to enhance feelings of sense of place, and he is lucky to continue that line of inquiry through his teaching at Tremont. He is an avid nature journaler, tracker, birder, and native plants enthusiast.
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.
