Great Smokies Seeks Volunteers Interested in Citizen Science

Great Smokies Seeks Volunteers Interested in Citizen Science

Friday, February 28, 2014

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Great Smoky Mountains National Park is seeking volunteers to help with an important research project, in an effort to better track nature’s calendar or phenology. Park rangers are recruiting volunteers willing to adopt a tree monitoring plot on the North Carolina side of the park.

A tree phenology monitoring training will be held on Saturday March 8, 2014 from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the old Oconaluftee Visitor Center near Cherokee, NC. After training, volunteers will be assigned to a phenology plot to collect data throughout the growing season. Plots are located near parking areas in Deep Creek, Fontana, Oconaluftee, Purchase Knob, Cataloochee, Clingmans Dome, Newfound Gap and Davenport Gap.

Information collected by volunteers will go into a national database that helps answer questions such as “Was spring early this year?” or “When will the fall colors peak?”. Carefully tracking trees from early spring to late fall can help determine what is expected. Monitoring phenology will help us to understand how earlier springs and cold snaps impact our mountain forests.

If you are interested in being a part of this special project please contact:

Autumn Amici
Citizen Science Assistant
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Americorps Project Conserve
Phone: (828) 497-1945
Email

For more information about phenology research efforts across the country visit the National Phenology Network.



Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com

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GSMIT Announces Bird Banding Program

GSMIT Announces Bird Banding Program

Sunday, June 10, 2012

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The Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont is seeking volunteers to assist with bird banding projects on several dates throughout this summer.

Scientists estimate that there are nearly 230 different species of birds in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Thirty-four species considered endangered, threatened or of conservation concern have been observed in the park. With all its unusual birds, it is no surprise that Great Smoky Mountains National Park is considered one of the most important places for birds in the eastern United States.

Keeping up with all these species within the 520,000 acres of the national park is a daunting task, and for the past twelve years, Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont has been assisting the park in monitoring these birds through bird banding.

The dates for these citizen science projects are: June 14, June 22, July 5, July 25, August 2 and August 8.

Bird banding sessions typically last 5-6 hours beginning with set-up a half hour before sunrise. Participants do not have to attend the entire session. Dress should be weather-appropriate. Participants should bring snacks, plenty of water and rain gear in case of sudden showers. There can be bugs, poison ivy or an occasional stream to cross, so participants should be prepared for all those situations.

Those interested in attending any of the sessions should contact Charlene Stewart at Charlene@gsmit.org (preferred) or 865-448-6709. Please provide your name, number attending, and best contact information in case of a cancellation.

For more information on the projects, please click here.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com

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