Tremont Institute Invites Nature Lovers of All Ages to Join Virtual Naturalist Week, June 16–20

TOWNSEND, TN — After drawing participants from 13 states and all ages ranging from toddlers to retirees last year, Virtual Naturalist Week is back. Hosted by the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont, this free, family-friendly event takes place June 16–20, 2025, and invites people everywhere to step outside, explore their own patch of nature, and rediscover a sense of wonder.

Now in its fourth year, Virtual Naturalist Week was established to help people connect with the natural world close to home. Whether it’s a neighborhood park, a backyard garden, or even a city sidewalk, participants are encouraged to notice, observe, and engage with the outdoors.

“Over the last few years, we’ve seen stories of people exploring with their grandkids, taking lunch breaks in the sun, and spotting brand-new species in their backyards,” said Erin Rosolina, Tremont’s Marketing Director. “This event reminds us that you don’t have to be in a national park to experience nature. You just have to pay attention.”

The Level Up Challenge

Participants earn points by completing nature-based activities, ranging from finding an animal track or watching a sunrise to picking up litter or enjoying a meal outside. Once they hit 25 points, they can fill out a short online form to receive a prize in the mail. One participant will be randomly selected to receive an REI gift package valued at over $160.

One past participant, Elizabeth, age 42, shared, “My favorite activity was to tell a bug a secret. Funny how saying what’s on your mind makes you feel better. It’s also nice when you know it won’t give advice or spill your secret to others.”

Last year, 60 individuals completed the challenge, submitting a total of over 2,100 points. The ages of the participants ranged from 2 to 77, and they joined from states including Tennessee, New York, Georgia, and Mississippi.

The Big Day – June 19

The centerpiece of the week is The Big Day, when everyone is invited to record as many living species as possible in their local environment, from bugs and birds to fungi and flowers. In 2024, participants submitted over 700 species observations from 11 states and two countries.

This year, Brandon Everhart, The Bearded Realtor, will once again donate $1 for every species observed and shared, up to $1,000, to support Tremont’s year-round environmental education efforts. Observations can be shared on Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont’s social media pages or by emailing [email protected].

“This is the highest goal we’ve ever set for the Big Day,” said Rosolina. “We’re definitely going to need people to pitch in to raise the full thousand dollars.”

Family-Friendly Celebration – June 20

To wrap up the week, Tremont will host a free, family-friendly happy hour at Peaceful Side Brewery in Maryville, TN, on Friday, June 20, from 4:30–7:00 PM. Attendees can enjoy food and drinks, nature games, and the chance to chat with Tremont staff and fellow nature lovers. Stickers and door prizes will be available at the Tremont table.

Nature for Everyone

Virtual Naturalist Week runs alongside Tremont’s in-person Naturalist Week, an overnight adult camp held in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Both programs share the goal of helping people deepen their connection to the outdoors and awaken their sense of curiosity. Throughout the week, Tremont will share highlights from the in-person camp on social media so those at home can follow along and join the exploration.

Participation in Virtual Naturalist Week is free and open to all. While donations are optional, any gifts made during the week help Tremont continue its mission to connect people with nature through research, education, and community programs.

Learn more about Naturalist Week activities, including the Level Up Challenge and Big Day species documentation, at gsmit.org/naturalist.

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 Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont provides in-depth experiences through educational programs that celebrate ecological and cultural diversity, foster stewardship, and nurture appreciation of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Learn more at www.gsmit.org.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 13, 2025

Contact:
Erin Rosolina, Marketing Director
(865) 448-6709, [email protected]

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