Invasive Species: The Biggest Threat to Biodiversity?

Discover Life in America is inviting supporters and admirers of Great Smoky Mountain National Park to join them on December 9-12 for the annual All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory (ATBI) conference titled, "Invasive Species: The Biggest Threat to Biodiversity?"

DLIA will be holding the 2009 ATBI Conference this year in Gatlinburg, Tennessee at the Riverside Terrace Resort and Conference Center.

This year's conference will provide several informative activities for everyone, including:

* ATBI science talks
* Smokies' air quality update
* Smokies' save the Hemlocks update
* Silent and live auctions to raise funds to help support the Smokies' ATBI
* A nature photographer workshop
* A full day for Educators at all levels
* Workshops that include: GPS use session, Schoolyard ATBI, Grant writing, Lost proofing, Waterbears, How to write a NSF grant, Citizen Science, "Getting everyone Involved," and much, much more!
* Scientific poster sessions
* Fantastic field trips
* Keynote address and a reception with celebrated, invasive biologist, Dr. Daniel Simberloff
* Updates from ATBI's across the country
* The conference culminating event is "The Great Smoky Mountains Salamander Ball" at Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies!

The All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory is a unique ecological undertaking to find and document every species of life in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, from ferns and fungi to birds and beetles. The effort began in 1998 and is serving as a model for efforts to document the diversity of life throughout the nation, at other National Parks, State Parks, and in other preserves, large and small.

To date over 900 species have been identified that are new to science and over 6,400 species have been identified that are new records for the Smokies!

For a more detailed schedule; registration forms; or to volunteer, please click here.

Questions and/or to register for the conference, please contact Heather MacCulloch at 865-430-4756 or e-mail at heather@dlia.org.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails in the Smoky Mountains; includes trail descriptions, key features, pictures, video, maps, elevation profiles, news, hiking gear store, and more.