Sorry, this program is FULL. Please email [email protected] to be added to the waitlist.

Discover the secret lives of reptile and amphibian species in the southern Appalachian mountains. Immerse yourself in a weekend of exploration and learning about these fascinating, secretive, and often feared and misunderstood creatures.

While the course will give an overview of reptiles and amphibians generally, we will narrow the focus to specific adaptations and distributions of the many reptiles and amphibians in Great Smoky Mountains National Park as we find and 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!

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

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.

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

Course Instructors:
John DiDiego, Education Director at Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont
Dr. John Maerz, Professor of Vertebrate Ecology at University of Georgia’s Warnell School of Forestry and head of the Maerz Herpetology Lab