Southern Appalachian Ecology
September 17, 2027 - September 19, 2027 | Adults | $580
Sorry, this program is FULL. Please email mail@gsmit.org to be added to the waitlist.
What makes the Southern Appalachians one of the most biodiverse regions in the world? This foundational course takes you into the forests, ridges, and coves of the Smokies to uncover the geological, climatic, and ecological forces that shaped this extraordinary landscape.
Throughout the weekend, you’ll combine expert-led discussions with immersive field trips to explore the Smokies’ major ecosystems. From lush cove hardwood forests to windswept ridgelines, you’ll learn how factors such as elevation, slope, aspect, and moisture gradients create an incredible mosaic of habitats. Each excursion will highlight not only the plants and animals present but also the connections that tie them together in a larger ecological web.
Course highlights:
- Visits to diverse forest communities, including cove hardwood, pine-oak, and spruce-fir stands.
- Exploration of how geology and climate history shaped today’s landscapes.
- Discussion of ecological patterns, including succession, disturbance, and species interactions.
- Practical skills for “reading” a forest – seeing the relationships between soil, slope, and species.
By the end of the course, you’ll walk away with more than knowledge of Smokies biodiversity – you’ll gain a systems-level understanding of how ecosystems function, and how even small details influence the natural world around you.
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 Kristy Campbell, David Huff, Toby Keown, and Jay Zimmer.
Cover photo by David Bryant.
Southern Appalachian Ecology at a Glance
Date: September 17, 2027 - September 19, 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 Your Instructor
Jeremy Lloyd
Jeremy Lloyd has been teaching courses in the Southern Appalachian Naturalist Certification Program almost since its inception in 2008. His enthusiasm for Appalachian forests and their inhabitants began in boyhood, blossomed when he began teaching in the Smokies, and deepened further while writing Forest Time: Footnotes to an Outdoor Education, which came out in 2026. He believes that ecology (the study of home) involves experiencing the landscape through the senses, heart, and mind in roughly equal measure.
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.
