Reptiles and Amphibians of the Smokies
July 9, 2027 - July 11, 2027 | Adults | $580
Sorry, this program is FULL. Please email mail@gsmit.org to be added to the waitlist.
Salamanders under stones, frogs calling at night, snakes basking on a warm rock – the Smokies are home to one of the richest communities of reptiles and amphibians in North America. This weekend course gives you an inside look at these fascinating and often misunderstood creatures.
While the course will provide an overview of reptiles and amphibians in general, we will narrow our focus to specific adaptations and distributions of the many reptiles and amphibians found in Great Smoky Mountains National Park as we observe them in their natural habitat. In the end, you will walk away with a new understanding and appreciation for our charismatic ectothermic friends. Get ready for a fun-filled weekend of hunting down herps!
Highlights include:
- Searching streams, wetlands, and forest floors for reptiles and amphibians.
- Learning key traits, behaviors, and ecological roles of local species.
- Understanding conservation issues affecting herps in the Southern Appalachians and beyond.
- Building your comfort with and appreciation for species often feared or overlooked.
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 Chrissy Donadi, David Huff, Shannon Keizer, and Sonja McMillan.
Cover photo by Dr. John Maerz.
Reptiles and Amphibians of the Smokies at a Glance
Date: July 9, 2027 - July 11, 2027
Ages: Adults
Location: Tremont’s Smokies Campus
9275 Tremont Road
Townsend, TN 37882
Cost: $580
Registration includes instruction, food, and lodging in our dorm inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
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.
Dr. John Maerz
Professor of Vertebrate Ecology at University of Georgia
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.
Dr. John Maerz
Professor of Vertebrate Ecology at University of Georgia
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.
