The Smoky Mountain Hiking Blog: 2020 Big South Fork & Obed WSR Science Meeting

The National Park Service will host a public science meeting on Wednesday, April 1, 2020, at the Historic Rugby Visitor Center at 1331 Rugby Parkway, Rugby, Tennessee. The public is invited to spend the day with scientists who have been conducting research at Obed Wild and Scenic River and Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area.

The overall goal of the public meeting is to facilitate an increased understanding of the ecosystems of the parks, enhance communication and collaboration among researchers and the public, and encourage future scientific investigations. Registration starts at 9:00 AM (ET). The meeting starts at 9:30 AM, and oral presentations will be given throughout the day. Poster presentations at the end of the workshop will provide an opportunity for less formal dialogue.

Scientists from Tennessee Valley Authority, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, the National Park Service and researchers are scheduled to make presentations. A wide range of topics specific to the Upper Cumberland Plateau will be covered during the day including talks on the wild hogs, black bears, Kentucky ladyslippers and white nose syndrome in bats. The agenda is filling up fast, so if you would like to give a presentation, contact the park as soon as possible.