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The newsletter of Great
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Gabby Salazar
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Dawn Dextraze
Spring 2012
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From the Executive Director
A Call to Action 2016
GSMIT Archives
J
ust four years away, 2016 will be the 100th anniversary of the
National Park Service (NPS). Many have called our national parks
“America’s best idea.”
This January I had the privilege of attending a meeting of park
supporters and partners in our nation’s capital for America’s Summit
for the National Parks. http://www.2016parksummit.org/
The Summit was organized to discuss and explore ways to address
a “Call to Action for the Second Century of National Parks,” put forth
last fall by NPS Director Jon Jarvis. Director Jarvis asked us how we
will ensure that our national parks remain relevant in their second
century.
“We absolutely have to engage the
young people of America,” he
emphasized. Engaging youth by
involving them with national parks is
stressed throughout the “Call to
Action.”
Connecting youth to Great Smoky
Mountains National Park is what we
have been doing at Tremont for over 40
years. We, too, need to stay “relevant”
by adapting and changing to meet the
needs of a changing population,
culture, and planet.
One way that we are staying relevant is by continually expanding
on-line tools that are available to participants before and after their
experience in the Smokies. We want to help them dig deeper,
remember and share their experiences, and to connect these
experiences to their life and nature closer to home. We want to help
people extend their connection with the national park rather than
remember it as a visit to a place that does not relate to their
everyday world.
We recognize that technology is one of the things that can draw
people away from nature, but we also know that it is the way that
people now communicate, share, and learn. We are working to find a
balance where we use appropriate technology in our programs to
enhance and expand rather than distract from our participants’
experience.
That said, we believe that the need for people to “un-plug” is
going to grow as technology increasingly dominates our day-to-day
lives. To remain relevant, national parks and places like Tremont will
need to be more intentional about providing places for people to
disconnect from technology for a time and re-charge. Education
Director John DiDiego calls it “mountain standard time,” a service or
value that Tremont and parks provide by being removed from cell
phones and constant Internet connections. We need to better
communicate this as a commodity that Tremont provides and that
people desire.
There are 36 actions in the NPS “Call.” Park partners and
supporters will play a primary role in seeing that many of these
actions come to fruition. One that we find particularly interesting is
to adopt students who will graduate in 2016 and involve them in a
series of educational experiences that will culminate with the
National Park Service centennial in 2016.
We will identify 10-12 eighth grade students who are diverse
(representing the US population in 2016 and beyond), willing to
commit to be involved with us over the next four years, and have an
interest in and a potential for becoming tomorrow’s conservation
leaders.
We will do this by partnering with schools and community groups
to identify and mentor these young people. In order to accomplish
this, we will also seek about $6,000 per year from corporations,
foundations and individuals to fund the program.
If you are interested in helping us identify the students for this
program, or can provide or help us find the funding, please let me
know, and watch for more information on our website.
We must look forward to remain relevant, but this issue of Walker
Valley Reflections is our annual report, and we look back on what we
were able to accomplish in 2011. Our success in connecting people
and nature can be measured in many ways, but in 2011 more people
attended Tremont residential programs than any previous year. You’ll
see other program statistics and highlights of our programs on pages
8 and 9.
In reviewing the last year, it is important that we recognize those
who worked to make us successful in accomplishing our mission.
While we continue to see signs of recession, people have continued
to support us by making donations, lending support, and attending
our programs.
Thanks to all of you who have demonstrated that you value
Tremont’s mission and feel that it is well worth your investment.
Thanks also to talented staff, volunteers, board members and
partners who are dedicated to that mission. The gain from our
investments is seen in the smiles and memories of children,
teachers, and many others who walked the trail with us in 2011.
As we look back at our recent successes, we will also look
forward and make necessary adjustments to remain relevant and
meaningful to those who choose to join us as we explore and
experience Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
We hope you will continue to walk with us as we prepare for what
is further down the trail; 2016 will be here before we know it. We
will not only be celebrating the first 100 years of national parks, but
anticipating and setting the stage for the future.
Ken Voorhis
GSMIT Executive Director
Walker Valley Reflections — Spring 2012
2
A New Plan for Education in Tennessee
By John DiDiego, education director
hen I look out my window, I
see treetops high over Walker
Valley and clouds wafting by...
everything looks pretty nice. It’s hard
to believe that exotic pests, airborne
pollution, and overdevelopment
really exist.
But of course they do, and often
news reports confirm our worst
fears—plants and animals are
already reacting to a changing
climate, and diversity is strained
due to habitat loss and exotic
encroachment.
Think about the example of
climate change—an incredibly
complex problem, with a
bewildering array of causes and
potential effects, playing out on
a global scale, across political
and geographic boundaries.
And this is just one such
challenge.
Tremont’s mission is to foster
understanding, motivation, and
know-how to tackle these
complex challenges, make
critical decisions, and imagine
creative solutions to overcome
even the most daunting
problems. We call this
hypothetical citizen problemsolver ‘environmentally literate.’
For the past few years, I have
been part of the Tennessee
Environmental Literacy Working
Group (TELWG). We have been
hammering out both what it means
to be environmentally literate and
how more of Tennessee’s students
can achieve that level of competency
by the time they graduate high
school.
The Tennessee Literacy Plan is
nearly complete and ready for
submission to the Department of
Education (DOE). But to understand
why and how, some background is in
order. In some ways, it started back
in 2001, with the passage of the No
Child Left Behind Act (NCLB).
Background: the need for a state
environmental literacy plan
suggestions, a follow-up bill to the
NCLB made its way through
Congress, with final approval by a
U.S. House Committee in October
2011 and bi-partisan support.
The new legislation, nicknamed
‘No Child Left Inside’ (NCLI) (see
http://www.cbf.org/page.
aspx?pid=687), addresses some of the
NCLB’s shortcomings by
providing:
•Funding to train teachers to
deliver high quality
environmental education and
utilize the local environment
as an extension of the
classroom (for Tennessee, this
could mean up to $2 million a
year for 5 years).
Since the passage of NCLB, states,
teachers, and schools have been both
attempting to comply with and vying
for changes to this law, which
essentially governs all K-12 public
education in the United States. Many
said that while it holds schools
•Incentives for states to
develop State environmental
literacy plans to ensure that
every student is prepared to
understand the environmental
challenges of the future.
•Encouragement for teachers,
administrators, and school
systems to make time and
resources available for
environmental education for
all students.
GSMIT Archives
W
The bill’s funding hinges on
the states having environmental
literacy plans in place.
Coincidentally, in 2009 the
Tennessee Department of
Environment and Conservation
(TDEC) had come to the same
conclusion. That year TDEC finalized
Tennessee’s newest state recreation
plan, Tennessee 2020: Vision for
Parks, People, and Landscapes
(http://www.tn.gov/environment/
recreation/plan/).
Tennessee 2020 is a comprehensive
planning document focused on the
accountable for reaching certain
testing standards, it has also forced a
‘narrowing’ of the curriculum.
It set standards for testing in math
and language arts, but other subjects
(notably science, social studies, and
arts) fell by the wayside. As a result,
some school districts scrapped field
studies (like Tremont) altogether
because, while it got kids outside
learning hands-on science and social
studies, it also pulled them away
from their desks and textbooks!
Between 2008 and 2011, after years
of nationwide feedback and
Walker Valley Reflections — Spring 2012
•Environmental education
integration across core subject
areas.
continued on page 4
3
A New Plan for Education in Tennessee
continued from page 3
PLAN-ning Ahead
In response to the initial
introduction of NCLI legislation to
Congress, and in preparation for the
environmental literacy
plan requirement when
this legislation becomes
law, a coalition was
formed in 2009 to lay
the groundwork for the
plan.
This coalition started
with concerned
educators from the
Tennessee
Environmental
Education Association
(TEEA), me included,
and Tennessee Every
Child Outdoors
Coalition (ECO-TN),
but grew to include the
Tennessee Department
of Education (TN
DOE), universities, and educational
non-profits from across the state.
This ‘dream team’ of educators
worked together to create a statewide
plan that incorporates the four
components required in the NCLI
Act. After two years and input from
state and national education experts,
this plan is in the final stages before
being submitted to the U.S.
Department of Education, making
Tennessee one of the early states to
complete such a comprehensive plan.
The plan itself was crafted with
teachers and students in mind. It
doesn’t require any additional
standards, but helps to group and
rethink the standards to help
students achieve a deeper
understanding of the environment, in
part through engagement with their
communities. It relies on place-based
education, which creates
opportunities for students to learn
about their community through
inquiry, critical thinking, service
learning, and creativity.
Students collect, analyze, and
critique information and data, and
they gain experience using
technology while conducting field
assessments and preparing
presentations. Finally, they develop
their communication skills by
reporting their research findings to
GSMIT Archives
future of Tennessee’s parks, people,
and landscapes. It documents the
most critical needs facing
conservation and recreation over the
next 10 years, which includes
connecting children with nature. This
plan also calls for the development of
a statewide environmental literacy
plan.
their peers and the community. Now
THAT’s education!
Ideally this will help teachers
reinvent how they teach to inspire
students to connect to the land and
their communities in a powerful new
way. With support for more out-ofclassroom learning opportunities,
this should free teachers to do what
they do best—creatively engage their
students in real life learning.
What would this look like in practice?
The plan defines environmental
literacy this way: an awareness and
knowledge of the interrelationships
among life forms and natural
systems; understanding of ecological,
social, economic and cultural
processes and issues; and knowledge
and skills needed to make informed
decisions and to become
Walker Valley Reflections — Spring 2012
environmental stewards.
It provides incentives for
elementary and middle school
teachers to use the environment as a
context for learning.
The comparative advantages of
using the local environment as a
framework and focus for learning in
all subject areas was well
documented by Gerald Lieberman
and Linda Hoody. Their 1998 study
looked at 40 schools nationwide that
adopted a teaching model called
Environment as an Integrating
Concept (EIC). The study concluded:
“Evidence gathered from this study
indicates that students learn more
effectively within an environment-based
context than within a traditional
framework. By providing a
comprehensive educational framework
instead of traditional compartmentalized
approaches, EIC appears to significantly
improve student performance in reading,
math, science and social studies and
enriches the overall school experience.”1
(see http://www.seer.org)
At the high school level, students
would be required to engage with
their communities, grapple with its
issues, and seek understanding of all
sides of problems through research
projects. They would gain a deeper
sense of awareness about how the
community is run and how they can
contribute.
One of the lead editors of the plan,
Kim Bailey of Warner Park Nature
Center in Nashville, put it this way,
“This connection should lead to
future investment in the health and
well-being of their community.”
These are the thoughtful,
empowered environmentally literate
young adults I’d like to entrust this
valley and national park to some day.
The new Tennessee Environmental
Literacy Plan is a step toward that
future.
Read the plan for yourself at
http://eeintennessee.org/core/news/
list.aspx
1 Lieberman and Hoody, 1998.
Closing the Achievement Gap: Using the
environment as an integrating context.
Science Wizards, Poway, CA
4
Developing the Teacher
Year-Round at Tremont
Upcoming Teacher
Professional
Development
May 4-6
Plants*
May 4-6
Smoky Mountains Science
Teacher Institute
June 18-23
Reptiles and Amphibians*
July 23-25
Aquatic Natural History*
July 25-27
Educators’ Workshop:
Climate Change
August 3-5
Teacher Escape Weekend
September 8-9
Southern Appalachian
Ecology*
September 21-23
Advanced Naturalist Field
Skills*
September 21-23
Teacher Escape Weekend
October 6-7
Mammals*
November 2-4
Special note: Teachers who
attend any of these classes,
come free with their school as
well as receive a significant
discount that applies to all of
their students attending Tremont
during one of our school
programs!
*Part of our Southern
Appalachian Naturalist
Certification Program. For more
information, visit www.gsmit.org
T
he spring season in Walker Valley is
one of the most exciting and dynamic
phases of the year. Recent visitors have
witnessed many
phenological marvels.
These natural events
have occurred on
a variety of
scales, ranging
from large to
near
microscopic,
yet all are
observable, if
you use all of
your senses.
At Tremont,
we believe that
developing as a
patient and careful
“observer” of nature and
its processes is a skill necessary to be a
good naturalist or outdoor enthusiast.
It is even more important to develop
these skills in order to be a good teacher
and educator.
To become proficient at
communicating your
observations with others in
a way that inspires awe,
provokes interest, and
enhances understanding is
a critical skill that is
practiced by our program
staff on a daily basis. More
importantly, these skills
and the methods for
facilitation are extended to
our adult and teacher
professional development
participants throughout the
year.
In addition to providing high quality
school and summer programming, our
campus is also a classroom for the adult
learner. As an adult learner, it is
important to take time to observe,
expand knowledge, research, share
methods, and reflect with others in the
field.
For an educator, Tremont is a
Walker Valley Reflections — Spring 2012
stimulating place to be! I hope this year
more teachers and administrators realize
the resource Tremont can be for them
personally, as well as institutionally.
Students succeeding and growing into
intuitive and compassionate adults are
important to our overall program
impact, but we know that this
impact is much less effective
without an engaged and inspired
classroom teacher.
Teachers can not only gain
professional development contact
hours at Tremont throughout the
year, but can do it for little to
nothing, and in a hands-on,
experiential way. Our classes and
workshops are designed to stimulate
and invigorate educators and provide
them with resources they can take back
to their classrooms.
Tremont’s professional education staff
members combine their knowledge and
experience to hand-craft professional
level courses.
Bottom: Amy Wilson, Top: GSMIT Archives
Birds of the Smokies*
By Jennie McGuigan, school program coordinator
Many of these courses are specifically
designed just for teachers who want to
supplement their skills and diversify
their activities in the classroom. With all
the new standard requirements being
placed on teachers and administrators
today, it is important to find enrichment
opportunities that support educators and
make it easier for them to do their job.
5
Tremont’s Citizen Scientists Answer
the Call to Action
By Tiffany Beachy, citizen science coordinator
I
often start a discussion on citizen science
by asking kids, “Are you guys scientists?”
Invariably, the answer is a resounding, “No!”
Then I come back with, “Well, today you
are!”
I love to see their eyes widen as I
describe the project they are about to
experience. They really get to be scientists
for a day; they really get to contribute to a
big project.
It suddenly morphs from just another
class activity to an important scientific
mission—and they participate! We collect
data, review our results, discuss
implications, and make connections.
As they return to their normal lives, I
hope that the connections they made at
Tremont leave a lasting impression on their
hearts and minds, instilling in them a
conservation ethic and a renewed desire to
play outside.
Tremont is located in one of the best
outdoor classrooms EVER... Great Smoky
Mountains National Park! We work, learn,
and play in a campus that encompasses
more than 500,000 acres. As a partner to
the National Park Service, our mission of
connecting people and nature fits well with
its mission to preserve and protect this great
natural area and its historic resources and
wildlife.
As you read on page 2, The National Park
Service will turn 100 in 2016. This
landmark event carries with it the
responsibility to meet the needs of an
evolving nation, citizenry, and natural
resource base. Employees and partners of
the Park Service plan to usher in the second
century with “concrete actions that advance
the mission of the Service.”
One objective of this Call to Action is to
develop next generation stewards by
involving citizen scientists in “fun,
engaging, and educational biodiversity
discovery activities in at least 100 national
parks.”
Our park is one of them, and Tremont
leads the way by creating numerous
opportunities for citizen scientists of all
ages to contribute to our ongoing research.
citizen science sampler as part of a
weekend Leadership Blount retreat.
Citizen science has always been an
integral part of our educational mission at
Tremont, and this past year was no
exception. Here are a few highlights from
2011 that demonstrate our commitment to
grooming the next generation:
• Record volunteer participation with all
of our core research projects,
especially bird banding and monarch
tagging.
• A motivated group of adult learners
monitored the seasonal changes of
trees, wildflowers and birds in one of
our phenology plots as part of the
Experience Your Smokies program.
• Professional nature center executives,
as part of a facilitated conversation
during the Association for Nature Center
Administrators (ANCA) conference
hosted at Tremont in August, discussed
the growing prevalence of citizen
science in the country and
brainstormed plans for incorporating it
into educational frameworks.
• Phenology Phun Day—We gained
several new, dedicated volunteers who
adopted phenology plots to monitor on
a weekly basis during the transitional
seasons.
• Adopt a stream—Two of our aquatic
salamander transects were adopted by
new volunteers, who faithfully visit
them every month.
One of the most rewarding aspects of this
job is the opportunity to develop meaningful
relationships with interns and volunteer
citizen scientists that last years and span
generations.
“My volunteer experiences have
strengthened my connections with science
and nature,” says Keane, who has been a
citizen science volunteer with his family
since 2002. “I am currently pursuing a
career in environmental science.” His
experiences have prepared him for a
successful future in conservation.
Keane’s dad Richard has enthusiastically
headed up ‘Team Pigpen,’ an ad hoc group
of volunteers who have monitored Pigpen
Branch, one of our aquatic salamander
transects, for about 10 years.
“The experiences of our family and
friends at our stream have undoubtedly been
an influence on my sons’ choices of
scientific career paths. I am thankful for the
kind of opportunities Tremont’s citizen
science program has afforded our family.”
So the next time I tell a group of wily 5th
graders that they are scientists, I hope that
a seed is planted in their hearts that will
take root and grow into an insatiable
curiosity about the natural world.
That’s our business here at Tremont and
throughout Great Smoky Mountains National
Park. We are answering that Call to Action.
• We monitored seven vernal pools for
breeding Wood Frogs and Spotted
Salamanders, aided by a passionate
volunteer.
• We revitalized the weather curriculum
and resurrected the rain pole.
• Many schoolchildren got to be
scientists for a day by monitoring
terrestrial and aquatic salamanders,
tracking seasonal changes at our
phenology plots, mapping fungi, or by
tagging monarchs and identifying other
species of butterflies.
• Campers during the Field Ecology
Adventure camp in July presented
results from five group research
projects on topics from birds and
butterflies to trees and fungi.
• A team of citizen science interns and a
citizen science educator gained
in-depth field research and
environmental education experience
throughout the summer.
• Teachers learned about various projects
and gained ideas to incorporate citizen
science into their classrooms.
• Local community leaders
enthusiastically participated in a
Walker Valley Reflections — Spring 2012
6
School Groups at Tremont During 2011
S
eventy-eight schools from ten states brought students to Tremont during 2011, ten of these schools made multiple
visits and/or brought multiple groups. We will see many of these schools again in 2012. If your school is not listed,
contact us for more information on how your students can live and learn in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
A. M. Yealey
Elementary School
Christian Academy of
Knoxville
Holy Comforter
Episcopal School
McFadden School of
Excellence
Robertsville Middle
School
Station Camp Middle
School
Florence, KY
Knoxville, TN
Tallahassee, FL
Murfreesboro, TN
Oak Ridge, TN
Gallatin, TN
Akiva School
Coffman Middle School
Lawrenceburg, TN
Merrol Hyde Magnet
School
Rockford Elementary
School (twice)
Sycamore School
Nashville, TN
Home Educators
Home Educators Week
Hume-Fogg Academic
High School
Hendersonville, TN
Rockford, TN
Montessori Academy
Rockwood School
District (four times)
Townsend Elementary
School (twice)
Antioch Middle School
Antioch, TN
Concord Christian
School
Berrien County Math &
Science Center
Knoxville, TN
Berrien Springs, MI
Ocala, FL
Berry College Middle
School
Eagleton Elementary
Mount Berry, GA
Eagleton Middle School
Burlington Elementary
(twice)
Maryville, TN
Burlington, KY
Calvin Donaldson
Environmental Science
Academy
Nashville, TN
Cornerstone School
Maryville, TN
Immaculate Conception
Cathedral High School
Memphis, TN
Jackson Christian
School
Jackson, TN
Emerald Youth
Foundation/JustLead
Program
Knoxville, TN
Jones Valley Elementary
Huntsville, AL
Kelly Elementary School
Burlington, KY
Chattanooga, TN
Episcopal School of
Knoxville
Carter High School
Knoxville, TN
Strawberry Plains, TN
Cason Lane Academy
Gamble Montessori
High School
Murfreesboro, TN
Cincinnati, OH
Central Middle School
Glen Este High School
Kokomo, IN
Cincinnati, OH
Cherokee Bend
Elementary School
Grace Christian
Academy (twice)
Birmingham, AL
Knoxville, TN
Cherokee Middle School
(twice)
Hewitt-Trussville High
School (twice)
Kingston, TN
Trussville, AL
Christ Presbyterian
Academy
Holley Navarre Middle
School
Nashville, TN
Navarre, FL
Knox Doss Middle
School at Drake’s Creek
Hendersonville, TN
Lenoir City Middle
School
Lenoir City, TN
Macdonald Intermediate
School
Fort Knox, KY
Maplewood Richmond
Heights Middle School
Mishawaka, IN
Indianapolis, IN
Townsend, TN
Nativity School
Eureka, MO
Cincinnati, OH
Sayre School
Union Grove
Elementary School
Norris Middle School
(twice)
Lexington, KY
Friendsville, TN
Seymour Community
Christian School
Walland Elementary
School
Norwood High School
Seymour, TN
Walland, TN
Cincinnati, OH
Shelbyville Middle
School
Walter J. Baird Middle
School
Nashville, TN
Shelbyville, IN
Lebanon, TN
Old Trail School
Spring City Middle
School (twice)
Weatherly Heights
Elementary
Spring City, TN
Huntsville, AL
St. Louis Homeschool
Group
West End Middle
School
Manchester, MO
Nashville, TN
St. Luke’s Episcopal
School
West High School
Mobile, AL
Winton Woods High
School
Norris, TN
Oak Hill School
Bath, OH
Oliver Springs
Elementary (twice)
Oliver Springs, TN
Pi Beta Phi Elementary
School
Gatlinburg, TN
Porter Elementary
School
St. Mary of the Lake
School
Maryville, TN
Powell High School
Saint Louis, MO
Powell, TN
Mason County Middle
School
Randolph School
Maysville, KY
Riverdale High School
McDowell Early College
Murfreesboro, TN
Huntsville, AL
Knoxville, TN
Cincinnati, OH
New Buffalo, MI
Woodlawn School
St. Paul Lutheran
School
Davidson, NC
Peachtree City, GA
Chapel Hill, NC
Stanley Switlik
Elementary School
Woods Charter School
Wydown Middle School
Saint Louis, MO
Marathon, FL
Marion, NC
Wilma Maples Will Be Missed, But Her Legacy Continues
W
Jack Williams
ilma Maples, one of Great Smoky
Mountains National Park’s most
ardent supporters, passed away on
December 31, 2011. She was 88 years
old and had suffered a debilitating stroke.
Also Tremont’s most generous
individual donor, Mrs. Maples had given
more than $300,000, most of which she
designated to be used in providing financial aid for children who
otherwise would not be able to attend Tremont programs.
After her husband passed away in 1985, Mrs. Maples continued
to make the preservation of the national park and its local heritage
a priority. Her gifts helped create the Parks as Classrooms
initiative, which brings local schoolchildren into the Smokies for
hands-on learning, and build the Twin Creeks Science Center.
“In those projects,” said Justice Gary Wade, “Wilma showed the
intersection between two of her greatest passions, the park and
education. She believed education was the key to a good life and
did much to promote it.
“She was a master at deriving joy from making a gift to those
causes she cherished most. She lived a long life and she was
strong in her religious beliefs. She walked the walk and talked the
talk,” he continued.
In addition to giving money, in 2009 Mrs. Maples donated 104
wooded acres near Cove Mountain between Pigeon Forge and
Gatlinburg to the national park in the largest private gift to the
park since the late 1990s.
Though Wilma Maples is no longer with us, the impact of all
that she did for the entire area is a legacy that will benefit many
generations to come.
Walker Valley Reflections — Spring 2012
7
Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont
2011 Annual Report
S
ince 1969, Tremont has provided field-based
environmental education programs that create
for our participants a deep connection with the
natural world. Day in and day, this connection
comes from a wide diversity of experiences that
bring students of all ages into the park’s natural
classroom to participate in in-depth scientific
research and discovery.
By living and learning inside Great Smoky
Mountains National Park, participants develop a
bond with the park and a life-long respect and
stewardship for our world and its resources.
These two pages are but a snapshot of 2011 and
the programs and activities that helped introduce
those who came to Tremont to the national park
and its important lessons for all of us.
The statistics at the bottom of page 9
represent a year in which our environmental
education programs reached a record number of
children and adults, outreach and citizen science
involvement soared, and contributions allowed us
to distribute a record $50,848 in financial aid
and scholarships. These statistics and the
information that follows will give you a clear
picture of how Tremont programs continue to
change lives.
Staff and Board
Tremont’s greatest resource is the staff, whether
full-time, part-time, seasonal, or intern. By
continuing to train and strengthen this team, our
ability to provide quality, relevant programs also
continues to grow. We are proud to have a team of
dedicated professionals that is not only
tremendously talented, but committed to
connecting people and nature in Great Smoky
Mountains National Park.
A wonderfully qualified and committed board of
directors continues to help us develop, shape,
and bring about an exciting vision for Tremont’s
future. As you read these pages, you will see how
their involvement is instrumental in building
awareness and support for our mission in a
myriad of ways throughout the year.
Programming
This year we took steps towards increased
capacity in our program leadership team and in
our teacher naturalist staff. We turned a number
of programs over to new staff, and started some
new programs and initiatives intended to fill offseason dates and to publicize summer camps. We
start 2012 with a veteran leadership team and
teacher/naturalists who are ready for greater
leadership roles and responsibility.
School Programs
• A Mentorship Program was initiated for new
lead teachers to give them support and
enhance these new relationships with
Tremont.
We welcomed 15 new schools and had our busiest
fall season in recent history. Our new School
Program Coordinator Jennie McGuigan established
her relationship with our teachers by hosting two
Teacher Escapes in the fall.
A grant from the National Parks Foundation
funded a Climate Change Workshop for teachers
during our Smoky Mountain Science Teachers
Institute in June. The funding which benefited
Tremont and four other institutes around the
country not only provided for the workshop and
follow-up projects for the teachers after they
returned home, but also funded a two-day
planning meeting hosted by Tremont.
Other Activities/Initiatives
• The Tremont Board and staff, along with
staff from the national park and its
fundraising arm, Friends of the Smokies,
worked on agreements and plans for a
capital campaign. Funds from the campaign
will be used to increase our endowment and
re-build the Tremont dormitory. (See
“Upcoming Renovations for Tremont” on
page 9.)
• An event hosted by Donna and Bill Cobble at
their Friendsville, TN home, Marblegate
Farm, gave us the opportunity to share
Tremont’s mission and our ultimate goal of
increasing Tremont’s endowment fund. With
Governor Bill Haslam and his wife, First
Lady Crissy Haslam, as our special guests,
media coverage was extensive and assured
that thousands of others that were not in
attendance heard about Tremont’s mission.
Special Programs
Our reputation for high quality programming
resulted in numerous successes for special
programs in 2011, including 100%-plus
enrollment for two Road Scholar hiking programs.
Summer camps continued to be popular among
children and youths looking for a hands-on
adventure in a wild setting, with winter open
houses making a visible impact on enrollment.
Our Southern Appalachian Naturalist Certification
Program remains very popular among adult
learners looking for top quality immersion
programs inside the park, as do our college
consortiums for students from around the country.
• A Tremont Awareness Luncheon program
was initiated by board members, inviting
individuals to hear more about Tremont.
These luncheons are not fundraisers, but
rather an opportunity to acquaint or
reacquaint individuals with our programs
and learn about our plans for the future.
Citizen Science
Our Citizen Science Program grew under the
leadership of our new Citizen Science Coordinator,
Tiffany Beachy. We initiated key contacts with the
Park Service to facilitate closer working
relationships between our two organizations,
particularly in the areas of research and volunteer
coordination.
New, Expanded, and Enhanced programs
• Girls in Science Camp was full for the third
year in a row and we received funding from
Alcoa to help support the 2012 Girls in
Science program.
• The Alcoa Foundation awarded Tremont a
$20,000 grant to provide support for 2012
summer programs that are specific to
science education, including: Smoky
Mountains Science Teacher Institute; Girls in
Science; and Science Seekers.
• The 2011 Great Smoky Mountains Scavenger
Hunt had a record 25 teams (up from 17 in
2010) and led participants across the park
to discover some of the lesser known places
and learn more about our park.
• Trout Unlimited partnered with us to conduct
Trout Camp, the first ever of its kind in
Tennessee.
• Thirty-seven teenagers went backpacking
through Teen High Adventure and Wilderness
Adventure Treks.
• Sponsored by The Trust Company of Knoxville
for the second year, the annual Appalachian
Celebration held at Great Smoky Mountains
Heritage Center in Townsend had 364
attendees (a 16% increase over 2010).
• Our first Advanced Naturalist Skills weekend
course was held, providing a continuation of
our very successful Southern Appalachian
Naturalist Certification Program.
• Special guest speaker at our 6th annual
Homecoming in September was Dwight
McCarter, a 30-year veteran of the National
Park Service and author of several books on
Walker Valley Reflections — Spring 2012
8
his experiences in the park.
• A new partnership with the Maryville Daily
Times led to a monthly article in their
Outdoors section written by various
members of the Tremont staff. The articles
are not specifically about Tremont, but
instead promote the park and nature
subjects. Seven of these articles appeared in
2011.
Grounds & Facilities
Even as we began preparations for a capital
campaign, we continued to make improvements
to our campus throughout 2011. Among those
improvements were:
• Replacing old florescent fixtures with new
energy efficient ones throughout the facility
during the past year. With your interest and
support, we were able to provide a wide-range of
environmental education programs to both
children and adults. At the same time, we
continued to enhance current programs, develop
new initiatives, and reach an all-time high in
financial aid.
As you will see on pages 10, 11, and 13,
Tremont’s support comes from many sources, with
thousands of volunteer hours providing the “extra
hands” that help us deliver our programs to the
widest audience possible. In-Kind gifts also add
to our success by providing goods and services in
support of our programs and our special events.
We are especially grateful to Alcoa Foundation,
Cornerstone Foundation, Clayton Family
Foundation, First Tennessee Foundation, National
Park Foundation, and The Trust Company of
Knoxville for their continued support. In addition,
allocations from Great Smoky Mountains National
Park and Toyota helped provide funding for Girls
in Science, Smoky Mountain Science Teacher
Institute, JustLead Day Camp, and other
programs.
Our special thanks to Great Smoky Mountains
Association who continues to donate the net
profits from all sales in our bookstore back to
Tremont to help fund our programs.
And, thanks to each of you for your interest,
your participation, and your support. Your gifts
help to assure that the next generation
understands the importance of and has the
knowledge to protect our public lands.
• Replacing all of the bunks and most of the
mattresses in the dormitory
Upcoming Renovations for Tremont
• Building a walkway from the kitchen to the
pavilion for food service access for cookouts
The first stage of the plan for upgrading the Tremont campus has begun!
A new and improved wastewater treatment plant is currently being constructed. The new plant
will be a sand filtration and drain field system that will meet our facility needs while assuring
that our ecological footprint in our precious setting on the banks of the Middle Prong of the Little
River is minimized.
Our plan to “un-develop” Tremont began with a master plan in 2000. Our objective is to
renovate the facilities that were constructed as a Job Corps Center in 1964 and create a campus
that best fits into our natural setting, while demonstrating the very principles of sustainability
that our programs teach.
We plan to use the new wastewater plant to teach sustainability principles much as we have
done with many of the retrofits that we have made to our facilities in recent years, like our solar
panel installation and renovations to the science lab and spruce fir room.
We have also begun to prepare for the next stage of our campus upgrade, which will be a
major renovation or re-build of our dormitory. As we make these improvements, our objective will
be to make as little impact on ongoing programs as possible.
We are excited about these new developments. Watch for details of our plans and when you
visit ask how we are progressing.
• Upgrading the administrative offices and
Cove Room heating and air conditioning
systems
• Replacing the doors to the dormitory and
making improvements to staff housing
• Refinishing floors in the Cove Room and
dining room
• Constructing a “Tent Village,” making trail
improvements, and preparing the Lagoon
area for the new water treatment plant
Our Supporters
Our success continues to be directly attributable
to all of you who continued to support our efforts
ATTENDANCE
Total residential participants
Youth programs
• Students
• Teachers/adult leaders
Adult programs
Program user days
Program user hours
Citizen Science
Outreach
Park visitors (in visitor center)
Total impacts
Number of groups
• Youth 3-day
• Youth 5-day
• Adult
2011
6,422
5,099
4,349
750
1,376
22,572
187,348
354
1,041
10,753
18,570
142
70
33
39
2010
5,837
4,682
3,964
718
1,155
21,119
175,288
255
785
13,270
20,147
119
62
27
30
FINANCIAL
Earned income
Program fees
Net sales
Increase in investments
TOTAL earned income
Support income
Program fees subsidized
Other support income
TOTAL support income
Total income (operating)
Expenses (operating)
Capital expense
Endowment (current value)
Financial aid
Walker Valley Reflections — Spring 2012
9
2011
86%
$1,219,015
$63,032
$7,870
$1,289,917
14%
$65,652
$142,692
$208,344
$1,498,261
$1,407,751
$71,310
$1,264,318
$50,848
2010
87%
$1,092,077
$72,598
$2,451
$1,167,126
13%
$56,863
$122,014
$178,877
$1,346,003
$1,320,698
$50,190
$1,209,952
$38,063
$100 to $249
THANK YOU!
…to the many generous individuals, organizations, and
companies who helped support Tremont in 2011. Without you, we
would not be able to serve the thousands of students and adults
each year in this awesome place.
We hope you will continue your support in 2012. You can donate
online through our secure store site at www.gsmit.org/donate.html.
Donations
From 1/1/11 to 12/31/11:
$30,000 to $50,000
Jim & Natalie Haslam
National Park
Foundation
$20,000 to $29,999
Alcoa
Haslam III Foundation
$10,000 to 19,999
Cornerstone Foundation
Jon Lawler
$5,000 to $9,999
Anonymous
David & Judy Birdwell
Randy & Jenny Boyd
Clayton Foundation
Cobble Family
Foundation
Herb Coleman
Edgar & Lynn Faust
Edward Pershing
Joe & Sharon Miller
Pryse
The Trust Company
$2,500 to $4,999
Ackermann Public
Relations & Marketing
Jeff & Vicki Chapman
Bill Cobble
Covenant Health
First Tennessee
Foundation
Frank March
Niswonger Foundation
PYA Waltman Capital
Dick Ray
Tony & Sharon Spezia
University Health
Systems
$1,000 to $2,499
Bob & Karen Anderson
Charley & Patricia Bible
Boeing Matching Gifts
Program
Sandi & Dick Byrd
Bob & Amy Cross
Mary Dresser
Hank & Margaret Dye
Elizabeth Estill
Jim & Melinda Ethier
Bill & Patricia Irby
Christopher Jackson
Richard Johnson
Maribel Koella
Sherri Lee
David & Sandy Martin
Conley & Carolyn
Murrell
Bob & Carole Overholt
Mark & Nancy Peacock
Pershing Yoakley &
Associates
The Woodpickers
Robin Turner
Jamie Woodson
$500 to $999
Ronald & Jean
Alexander
Grady & Patti Arnold
Jerry & Robyn Askew
John & Sara Berry
Tim & Janet Bigelow
Jim & Kati Blalock
Agnes Bouton
Harry & Teresa Call
Howard Capito
Court & Marie Cobble
Lee & Jackie Congleton
Lanis & Lisa Cope
Ken & Jane Creed
Crum & Blazer
Sam & Jody Curtis
Pete DeBusk
Larry & Beth Dicus
John & Lynn Duncan
Bob & Nancy Elder
Pamela Fansler
Kevin & Cyn Fitzgerald
Foothill Striders
Foothills Kiwanis
Phil Francis
Gideon Fryer
Keith & Dianne
Goodwin
Marsha Hollingsworth
Dick & Ann Ince
Joe & Pat Johnson
Russell & Florence
Johnston
Neal & Pat Linhardt
Mike & Melissa McCoy
Anne McWhirter
Sterling & Jolene Owen
Marshall & JoAnn
Parker
PYA Community
Foundation
Jim & Billie Shelby
Vance Sherwood
Bill & Kay Stokely
Joe & Becky Swann
Rob & Sanya Tingle
Joe Ben & Robin Turner
Georgiana Vines
Ken & Jennifer Voorhis
Gary & Sandra Wade
Robert & Pat Watson
Geoff & Pat Wolpert
Tom & Melanie Wood
$250 to $499
Sandy & Kreis Beall
Bernie Bowman
Mike & Evelyn Bryant
Henry & Marty
Callaway
Bobbie Congleton
Mary Costa
Joan Cronan
Mertie Elliott
Sam & Ann Furrow
Susan Greer-Tisdale
Charlie & Debe Hanie
Carolyn King
Patria Leath
Fred McMurray
Bob & Sandy Merriman
Ellen (Sis) Mitchell
Judy Morton
Nature’s Gifts
International
Kevin & Amanda
Painter
Joe & Allison Petre
Charles Purkey
Robert Reily
E. Rice, Jr.
Jerry & Vicki Roddy
Sarah Stowers
John Turley
Barry & Jeanie
VanWinkle
Vulcan Materials
Company
David Wedekind
John & Kathy Wilbanks
Mary Agee
Grady Amann
Dale & Janetta Baker
Jennifer Bausman
Julie Brown
Suzanne Brown
Jay & Linda Casselberry
W. C. Clabough, Jr.
Liz Coburn
Ray (Bucky) Colclough
William Cole
Joe & Rose Congleton
Robbie Cox
Sam & Mechelle Crowe
Philip & Diane Cupelli
Heather Davis
George & Melanie
Delius
John DiDiego
Donald & Carolyn
Dougall
Don Duncan
Darrel Ellis
Paul Erwin
Ross & Gladys Faires
Kent & Susan Farris
Barbara Foglesong
Carolyn Forster
Sandra Fortson
Marilyn Frank
Jo Anne Funk
Beth Giddens
Richard Ginkowski
C. Keith Goff
David Goldberg
Brian Groenhout
Helen Gross
Henry & Debbie Guigou
David & Laura Harrill
Roy & Patricia Heifner
Jan Heinrich
Sharon Heinrich
Ray & Carol Hils
Parks Hitch, Jr.
Eric Hoeppner
Holley Navarre Middle
School
Bud Hopkins
Dale & Claudia
Huddleston
Joe Ingram
Jodie Johnson
Paul Keidel
Jim & Pat Kerns
Janet Key
Judy Kito
Lois Klein
Cecily Langellier
Bob Lash
Jim & Cindy Lloyd
Jason Love
Lloyd Luketin
Edwin Martin
Jennifer Martin
Lynn Massingale
Robert & Martha Ann
McDermott
Walker Valley Reflections — Spring 2012
Tom McDonald
Kathryn McNeil
Tom & Eva Murphy
David & Lois Myers
Nantahala Outdoor
Center
Christy Newman
Debby Nuchols
Pat & Barbara O’Brien
Jonathan Overly
David Pinckney
Jane Qualls McGuire
David & Susan Rankin
Christopher & Juliann
Rigell
Marilyn Rogers
Rotary Club of East
Cobb
Kathry Rott
Richard Ryburn
Raymond Sellers
Bobby Snider
Victoria Soderberg
Saul & Joan Solomon
Shawn & Kristin Spindel
Jeffrey Spitzer
Vic & Connie Stacy
Maryann Stupka
Don & Martha
Sundquist
Paul & Anna Catherine
Super
The Richardson Inn
Gene Treacy
Richardson Turner
Terry & Marsha Uselton
Diana Valentine
Judy Voght
Betty Voorhis
Steve Watts
Taylor & Kristi
Weatherbee
Phil & Ann Weinrich
Joel Williams
Wolverine World Wide
Foundation
Leyton Wright
Under $100
Eddie & Ola Abbott
Tracy Adams
Duane & Cindy Allen
Annette Anderson
Evelyn Angeletti
Jim & Betsy Austin
Andrei Barasch
Jeff & Susan Barnes
Ramona Best
Jennifer Bostick
Rebecca Bowling
Jody Brown
Regina & Jared Brown
Thompson
Tom Bruce
Patrick & Fae Burkhart
Joe & Kathy Burns
David Butts
Jim & Van Callaway
10
David & Peggy
Campbell
Michael Campbell
Jim Carr
Jim Casey
Delmar Caylor
Donald Chapman
Jerry & Jill Christian
Glenn & Debbie
Claypool
Ed & Meredith Clebsch
Patti Clevenger
Allen Coggins
Tom & Nancy Condon
Sarah Cook
E. Terry & Juanita
Cowles
Dawn Dextraze
JoAnn Doig
Joe Dreimiller
Elizabeth Dupree
Edwin Edgerton
Leslie El-Sayad
Steven & Karen
Ellingson
Margaret Epperly
Diane Etsweiler
Ruth Ewald
Steven Foster
Andrew & Linda
Franklin
Carolyn Franks
Michael Frome
William Froschauer, Jr.
Douglas Fry
Margaret Garner
Bill Gazda
Jim & Robin Goddard
Sarah Oram & Stephen
J. Grabenstein
John Greer
Cindy Hagemann
Bill Hammond
Jim Hands
Don & Carolyn
Hartman
Michael & Lora Harvey
Norman Hayes
Jennifer Hill
Debbie Holliday
Tim & Mary Lou Holt
Mary Huntington
Robert & Sally Johnson
William & Jennifer
Kaduck
Charles Kennard
Geraldine King
Clifford & Ruth Kirk
Kim Kleinhans
Mark & Debbie Kyllo
Jacklyn Lane
Alice Lawrence
Daniel Lawson
Elise Laymon
Jack & Elsie Leider
Ron Lemerich
Norm Levy
Kris Light
Wilbur & Jane Logan
Carole Lopez
Phil Lovelace
Tina & John Lucas
Wilma Maples
Sandy McHone
Peter McLean
Stu & Sarah McNiell
Robert Moore
Evangeline Moore
Ann Munson
Kathy Newman
Anthony & Rosemary
Nichols
Robert & Renee
O’Connor
Denny O’Neal
Doug Overbey
Maggie Parry
Bob & Janis Patterson
Jerry & Joan Paul
Niels & Pat Petersen
Linda Petrosky
Erna Prickett
Bob Proffitt
John & Carolyn Pullias
Robert Ramger
Gary Rice
Jane Richardson
Renardo Rodriguez
Castillo
Carolyn Rogers
Vijay Rohira
Jerry & Betty Roper
Harold Roth
Karen Sain
Bradley Sale
Paul Schuch
Jim & Liz Schumacher
Richard & Spain Secrist
Georgia Shuck
Lynn Shultz
Floyd Smith
Smoky Mountains
Duplicate Bridge
Mark & Janet Snyder
Susan Springer
Jerry & Sharon Stiner
Carleton Swafford
Bob & Lil Tiebout
Mike Tinker
Joan Tomlinson
Marjorie Totten
Jane Trentin
Stephan Trigpen
William Truex
Michael Turley
Bob Turner
Garry Tyree
Lane Walker
Isaac & Rayna Weiner
Tyson Wepprich
Al & Marilyn Wiberley
Lisa Williams
Nancy Williams
Jim & Sally Williams
Eileen Wilson
DiAnne Wilson
Priscilla Wilson
Alex Young
Jerome & Rozanne
Zeiger
IN-KIND CONTRIBUTIONS
Ackermann Public
Relations & Marketing
Appalachian Ballet
Company
AutoPro
B&T Distributing Co.
Patricia Bible
Big Ed’s Pizza
Big Frog Expeditions
Tim & Janet Bigelow
Black Bear Lodge &
Snowboard Ski Shop
Blackberry Farm
Kati & Jim Blalock
Debora Blind
Blue Moon Cruises
Bob’s Package Store
Brown’s Creek Wine &
Spirits
Betsy Richards Bush
Science Research
& Other Volunteers
From 1/1/11 to 12/31/11:
Bridgette Abell
Emily Abell
Kelly Abell
Madison Abell
Olivia Abell
Alcoa employees
Aiden Aldridge
Jordan Aldridge
Riley Aldridge
Amy Ammons
Shirley Andrews
Tiffany Beachy
Cindy Beal
Debbie Beck
Anna Bell
Christina Bell
Sammy Bell
Lisa Best
Jake Best
Sarah Best
Nancy Biddle
Janet Biglow
Larry Bolt
Elizabeth Bosse
Lea Bosse
Sarah Bosse
Thomas Bosse
Mackenzie Bremer
Jake Britt
Mitch Brockman
Patrick Brukiewa
David Bryant
Sharon Burnett
April Bryce
Dick Byrd
Amber Byrum
Tammy Calloway
Vanessa Calloway
Etheree Chancellor
Sarah Candler
Chloe Chavez
Janice Church
Cindy Clabo
Sara Clabo
Susan Cole
Susan Cooper
Aaron Cope
Max Cope
Miles Cope
Brody Copeland
Draven Copeland
Joy Coursey
Audrey Crawford
Lindsay Crawford
Melissa Crisp
Jacob Cruice
Joshua Cruice
Tome Cruice
Wendi Cruice
Jim Cunningham
Leana Cunningham
Charles Cuthbertson
Margie Cuthbertson
Aimee Davis
Will Davis
Susie Delozier
John DiDiego
Ginger Dixon
Carolina Dolislager
Ron Dolislager
Aiden Donohue
Amy Donohue
Avery Donohue
Derek Dunlap
Alex Durand
Barbara Eberly
Steve Eberly
Matthew Edgar
Elisa Eustice
Alice Fisher
Grant Fisher
Sterling Fisher
Heather Floan
Michael Floan
Charlie Flory
Daniel Flory
Eleanor Flory
Nicole Flory
Phoebe Flory
Jennifer Franklin
Sandi & Dick Byrd
Campbell Tent & Party
Rentals
Cherokee Country Club
Cherokee Distributing
Co.
Chillhowee Inn
Debbie Claypool
Clayton Center for the
Arts
Bill & Donna Cobble
Coleman
Susan Cooper
Jeremy Curtis
Dancing Bear Lodge
Dandy Lions
Dick’s Sporting Goods
Dollywood
Eagle Distributing
Company, Inc.
El Jimador Mexican
Grill & Bar
Elliott’s Boots
Evelyn Bryant Clay
Sculpture
Foothill Milling
Company
Sam Furrow
Garden Shop at Trillium
Cove
Robin Goddard
Great Smoky Mountains
Association
Great Smoky Mountains
Heritage Center
Garrett Gregg
Herb Handly
Doug Hanson
Home Video Studio
Jon’s Golf Cars
Mary Kellogg-Joslyn &
John Joslyn
John Kapustay
Little River Outfitters
Little River Trading
Company
Lost Mill String Band
Marble City Brewing Co.
Maryville College
Mast General Store
Mayo’s Garden Center
Message Envy
Miss Lily’s Café
Nantahala Outdoor
Center
National Park Service
Dave Neamand
Kelly Phillips
Picnic Pantry Café
Razzleberry Ice Cream
Bill Reynolds
River Rat
Riverstone Restaurant
Serenity Salon &
Boutique
Vance Sherwood
Silver Spoon Express at
Maryville College
Smoky Mountain Living
Magazine
Smoky Mountain Llama
Treks
Southland Books
Suzanna Terrill
The Ferrell Shop
The Home Depot
The Market
The Pizza Kitchen
The Soup Kitchen
Townsend IGA
Turkey Creek Woodworks
Jeanie VanWinkle
Vienna Coffee Company
Vienna Coffee House
Manual Villolopos
Gary Wade
WonderWorks
Gordon Wright, Sr.
Martha Frink
Teresa Fulcher
Allison Gentry
Julie Gentry
Andrew Gilpin
Sarah Gilpin
Robin Goddard
Geoff Green
Mike Gross
Laura Hamilton
Charlie Hanie
Craig Hayes
Liz Hayes
David Headrick
Reese Headrick
Walter Headrick
Cathy Henn
Kacy Hester
Kaylin Hester
Kim Hester
Steven Hicks
Donna Higdon
Steve Higdon
Louise Hilenicki
Jonas Holdeman
Brandon Hoffman
Janice Hoffman
Jennifer Hoffman
Patricia Hoffman
Tera Holbrook
Tessa Holbrook
Trudy Holbrook
Bonnie Hooper
Letisha Houston
Tom Houston
Ezra Howell
Kimberly Howell
Sharon Howell
Bill & Pat Irby
Meghan Jacokes
Jolinda Jansma
Kelly Jernigan
Kyla Jernigan
Julie Jinks
Madie Jinks
Noah Jinks
Oiken Jinks
Seth Jinks
Cora Johnson
Dave Johnson
Janelle Johnson
Neva Johnson
Justin Kearse
Jacob Kelley
Bill Kerr
Carol Kerr
Will Kilgore
Terri Killeffer
Peggy Kiser
Violet Kulp
Blake Lawson
Brandi Layman
Wallace Layman
Richard Ledyard
Meredith Liemohn
Ted Lister
Audrey Little
Lorna Luketin
Maryville College
Master Gardner’s Club
Glenn Marshall
Alisa Mason
Berkley Mason
Zac McCammon
Hannah McCarter
Alicia McClary
Pam McCullough
Aliviah McGuire
Ireland McGuire
Issiah McGuire
Joy McGuire
Rob McGuire
Solomon McGuire
Sophia McGuire
Rebecca McNeill
Paul Meidl
Timothy Meidl
MaryLou Millwood
Lucia Morales
Isabelle Morstatt
Joseph Morstatt
Leslie Morstatt
Carol Morton
Dana Murphy
Fulton Murphy
Brettlyn Neal
Lyn Neilans
Joan Nelson
Andrew North
Brody North
Jeanne North
Walker Valley Reflections — Spring 2012
continued on page 13
11
Summertime:
When Learning is Fun!
For kids who like exploring
Discovery Camps (Ages 9-12)
June 11-16
June 25-June 30
July 9-14
C
Wilderness Adventure Trek (Ages
13-17)
June 11-16
June 25-June 30
Teen High Adventure (Ages 13-17)
July 9-19
For kids who think science is
serious fun
FULL
FULL
Backcountry Ecological
Expedition (Ages 13-17)
June 25-June 30
Girls in Science
(Rising 8th Grade Girls)
June 11-16
Field Ecology Adventure (Ages
13-17)
Amy Wilson
For kids ready for an extra
challenge
atch salamanders... experience the
awesome power of a waterfall...
collect insects... hike through
wilderness... cool off in the swimming
hole and laugh with your new friends
around the campfire.
Investigate old-growth forests,
track black bears, set-up field
experiments, or climb a mountain.
Backpack to spectacular views, fall
asleep to the sound of a wild
mountain stream, understand outdoor
living ethics, and experience firsthand
the animals and plants that call the
Great Smoky Mountains home.
These are just a few of the things
you could be doing this summer if
you choose one of the many summer
experiences offered at Tremont.
Look over the list and see if
someone you know is up to the
challenge to come live and learn in
Great Smoky Mountains National
Park. It will be a summer they won’t
soon forget.
July 9-19
For science teachers who
want to get their class doing
science outside
Food Waste Hall of Fame
Smoky Mountains Science
Teacher Institute
June 18-23
Albright Grove Old-Growth Hike
July 6
For grownups who like to
learn
Southern Appalachian Naturalist
Certification Program
Reptiles and Amphibians
July 23-25
Aquatic Natural History
July 25-27
For families who like to spend
time living and learning
together in the Smokies
Smoky Mountains Family Camp
July 2-7
2010-2011 School Year
Zero Food Waste Schools
Berrien County Math &
Science Center
Calvin Donaldson
Environmental Science
Academy
Central Middle School
Cherokee Bend Elementary
Cherokee Middle School
Cornerstone School
E. O. Coffman Middle School
Eagleton Middle School
Eastside Christian Academy
Glen Este High School
Hewitt-Trussville High
School (twice)
Hickory Day School
Holley Navarre Middle
School
Hume-Fogg Academic High
School
Immaculate Conception High
School
Jackson Christian School
Macdonald Intermediate
School
McDowell Early College
Merrol Hyde Magnet School
Nativity School
Norris Middle School
Norwood High School
Oak Farm School
Oak Hill School
Oliver Springs Elementary
School
Riverdale High School
Rockford Elementary
Sayre School
St. Luke’s Episcopal School
St. Mary of the Lake School
Shelbyville Middle School
Spring City Middle School
Sycamore School
Valley Springs Middle School
Walter J. Baird Middle
School
Walker Valley Reflections — Spring 2012
12
Winton Woods High School
Woodward Academy
Top Five Low Food Waste
Schools
Average pounds of waste per
person per meal
Wydown Middle School
0.0003360
Walland Elementary School
0.0006738
Central Middle School
0.00116
Seymour Community
Christian School
0.0017045
Randolph School
0.0018
New Tastes in Tremont’s Kitchen
Special People,
Special Recognition
By Kathleen Durkin, teacher/naturalist
n the summer of 2011, Dave
Osborne came to Tremont as our
new chef. Born and raised in
Oak Ridge, Dave is no
stranger to Walker Valley. He
attended Tremont as a
camper when he was a kid. I
recently talked to him about
his time so far, and how his
past experiences have shaped
his creativity here at Tremont.
When he decided to join
our team, Chef Dave was
working for Knox County Mobile
Meals. “It was fulfilling in that we
were feeding a lot of elderly people
on a daily basis whose only contact
with the outside world was with the
person that delivered their food.”
Before Mobile Meals, Chef Dave
had the experience of serving crowds
six times the size of our largest
visiting school groups. “I worked at
the Nissan plant in Tennessee, and
we ran two three-hundred seat
cafeterias that were about a mile and
a half apart in the same building.”
So how is his transition from
restaurants, auto plants, and his own
catering company going? “Tremont I
love. I’ve never served as many kids
as I have here. I’m amused almost
every day in a way that I don’t
expect to be.
“They’re so genuinely interested
and are likely to ask questions. It
really surprises me
because with adults,
most are kind of jaded
about food and might
pay somewhat lip
service to a conversation
about it. Kids get really
excited about things
they’ve never tried.”
One of Chef Dave’s
main goals is to expose
kids to new ways to eat vegetables.
“I’m still trying to figure out how to
get them to like a vegetable stir-fry...
I research new recipes all the time.
I’m still learning what I think
children would enjoy and be
nutritious at the same time.”
At the end of the day, Chef Dave’s
goals for the future of Tremont’s
food service go hand-in-hand with
our education mission. If we want
our participants to connect with
nature, they have to feel their best
and be well fed for the adventures
that lie ahead.
When Chef Dave isn’t trying to
figure out how to get kids engaged
with the plants on their plates, he is
giving them one more reason to care
about the plants and the ecology
outside.
Science Research
& Other Volunteers
Katherine Ross
Christa Ruppert
Michael Sabad
Owen Schumacher
Gar, Keane, & Richard
Secrist
Sandy Sgrillo
Shane Shelley
Mary Silver
Mary Sledge
Thomas Small
Conner Smith
Dennis Sput
Bryan Stache
Holly Stache
Courtney Stec
Bill Steiner
Doug & Charlene
Stewart
continued from page 11
Kynslee North
Michael North
Chandler Ogle
Robert Ogle
Joan Omarzu
Danny Ostrom
David Ownby
Ed Owens
Aaron Perez
Wilfred Post
Hunter Raines
Alana Ratchford
Sharon Ratchford
Jon Rateau
Alisa Reagan
Heike Reagan
Lydia Reese
Matt Regensburger
Nadine Rhea
Gary Rice
Glenn Rice
Ellen Rigell
Laura Rigell
Joshua Rimel
Taylor Rinehart
Jerry Roddy
Clara Ross
Eleanor Ross
ach year on the second Sunday in
May and the third Sunday in June,
we recognize our parents and all that
they have done for us.
This year, Sunday, May 13
(Mother’s Day) and Sunday, June 17
(Father’s Day) will be another chance
to celebrate the ones who taught you
how to ride a bike, bake a cake,
make a friend, and all the other little
things that make you who you are
today.
One way to show your
appreciation is to give a gift in honor
or memory of one or both of your
parents to Tremont’s Scholarship
Fund, providing financial aid to
children who otherwise would never
experience Tremont and the national
park. Your gift can give a child the
chance to get outdoors, learn
something new, and enjoy the natural
world in a place like no other.
Your gift will be acknowledged to
both you and your parent(s) (or
someone else you might designate in
the case of a memorial gift). Your
loved one(s) will also be recognized
in the next issue of Walker Valley
Reflections.
Make this a special Mother’s Day
or Father’s Day by giving the gift of
the outdoors to a child. Visit www.
gsmit.org/donate.html, email Sandi@
gsmit.org, or call (865) 448-6709.
Heather Davis
I
E
Elaina & Lorna Stewart
Regina Stone
Chad Suitor
Hayden Suitor
David Styles
Becky Swann
Nan Taylor
Felicia Thompson
Madison Thompson
Sophie Thompson
Andy Troutman
Debbie Troutman
Kestrel Troutman
Ryan Turnquist
Terry Uselton
University of Michigan
students
Sandy Vandenberg
Leslie Vandeveer
Walker Valley Reflections — Spring 2012
Lily Vandeveer
Michael Vandeveer
Tom Vandeveer
Jeannie Van Winkle
Emma Veal
Jenni Veal
Lucy Veal
Ken Voorhis
Fiona Vowell
Donna Wall
Jacob Wall
Joshua Wall
Walmart employees
Sarah Watkins
Trent Watkins
Luke Watson
Erin Webb
Mary Webb
William Webb
13
Kathy West
Regina West
Summer West
Frank Whetstone
Stacy Whetstone
John & Kathy Wilbanks
Keith Williams
Nancy Williams
Samuel Williams
Stacy Williams
Keith Williamson
Joan Worley
Tammy, Emma, &
Mason Worley
Jeffy Yares
Mary Lou Yoder
Looking Ahead
In addition to our year-round school programs, we also offer youth, family, and adult programs. Visit
www.gsmit.org, call (865) 448-6709, or e-mail mail@gsmit.org for more information on our offerings!
APRIL
JUNE
April 20-23, 2012
June 18-23, 2012
Springtime in the Smokies Photography
Workshop
Springtime is glorious in the mountains! Join
nationally recognized photographer Bill Lea and
his team of photographers on an unforgettable
learning experience in the Smokies. Bill will work
with you at your skill level and you are sure to
learn something new. This weekend is chosen as
an ideal time to capture the mountains in
springtime. Space is limited so register now!
Cost: $611
MAY
Birds of the Smokies*
May 4-6, 2012
If you are a seasoned birder or just getting into
birds, you’ll find something new in this weekend
component of our popular Naturalist Certification
Program. Join Tremont Education Director John
DiDiego as he shares tips for identification,
current issues in avian conservation, and enjoy
plenty of time in the field observing some of the
Smokies’ most beautiful inhabitants. Field trips
will take you to a variety of low and high elevation
habitats.
Cost: $302
Plants*
May 4-6, 2012
Great Smoky Mountains is renowned for its plant
diversity—come learn the basics of sorting all of
those species into recognizable taxonomic groups
and their associated communities. You’ll increase
your overall knowledge of plants and learn tips
and tricks for recognizing species and family
groups. Botany has never been more fun!
Cost: $302
Bird Watching in Cades Cove—Day
Program
old-growth forest complete with massive trees,
intact soils, and the distinctive look and feel of
an ancient forest. Join a Tremont teacher
naturalist for an inside look at this magical place
and come away with a new understanding and
appreciation of what the Smokies were and what
they someday will be again! This will be a sevenmile hike with some elevation gain. Lunch and
trail snacks provided by Tremont.
Smoky Mountains Science
Teacher Institute
Immerse yourself in the biological diversity of the
Smokies and return home with exciting new ideas
for involving your students in hands-on science.
Tremont produces this workshop in collaboration
with the National Park Service and Discover Life
in America. Your instructors will include Tremont
staff, NPS educators and scientists, and other
scientists involved in research in the park.
Program lasts from Monday supper through
Saturday lunch.
Cost: $30
Reptiles & Amphibians*
July 23-25, 2012
The Smokies boasts a healthy population of
amphibians and reptiles, although
Cost: Thanks to generous funding from
these secretive species are not often
the Alcoa Foundation, we are offering
seen, they are a part of the fabric
See page
this program to 25 teachers for a $50
of diversity that is the hallmark
1
2 for sum
non-refundable registration fee—a
mer
of the national park. You will be
camp listi
$500 value for just $50!
ngs in
guided through this fascinating
June & Ju
hidden world, through
ly
presentations, field trips, and
discussions. Learn to identify
Smoky Mountains Family Camp
common species and see some of
July 2-7, 2012
them
close up.
Haven’t decided on a family trip this
summer? We combine all of the excitement of
Cost: $302
summer camp with the fun of a family vacation
for Smoky Mountains Family Camp! This week is
Aquatic Natural History*
fun for all ages—with hikes and explorations for
July 25-27, 2012
the energetic, wildlife discoveries for the curious,
Water has been called the lifeblood of the
and entertainment and relaxation for everyone. We
Appalachians—it helped shape the mountains
offer choices each day for you to create your own
themselves and streams continue to be corridors
vacation while sharing quality time and making
of life in the rich forests of the Smokies. Come
memories for a lifetime. Visit our web site www.
spend the weekend “immersed” in the waters of
gsmit.org for an itinerary of activities.
the Smokies, exploring the ecology of streams and
learning a great deal about the array of species
Cost: $1,158 for a family of four ($243 each
additional person).
that contribute to the diversity of aquatic life.
JULY
Cost: $302
Albright Grove Hike—Day Program
July 6, 2012
*Southern Appalachian Naturalist Certification
Program
The Smokies still harbor some of the old trees
that made up the forests prior to the logging era.
Albright Grove is perhaps the best example of the
May 12, 2012
Bird diversity is at its height during the spring
migration—join Citizen Science Coordinator
Tiffany Beachy for a half-day of birding in Cades
Cove. This is a great program for beginner or
experienced birders—learn to recognize some
avian friends by sight and by song!
Cost: $18
Homecoming 2012
Sunday, September 16
Remember those old fashioned dinner on the grounds events from your childhood? Well, this is even
better. Good food, good friends and good music inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Come
help us celebrate over four decades of connecting people and nature. It’s an evening you won’t soon
forget. For more information, go to www.gsmit.org or call Heather Davis at (865) 448-9732, Ext. 14.
Cost: Tickets $50 per person.
Walker Valley Reflections — Spring 2012
14
Photo Contest Winners
By Heather Davis, media communications specialist
T
his year we had over 300 entries for Tremont’s annual
photography contest. The theme was “The Beauty of
the Smokies.” We enlisted the help of Tom Vadnais, one of
our talented photography workshop instructors, to judge
the entries. And here are our winning photos with Tom’s
thoughts on each.
To view all photos entered visit www.facebook.com/
GSMITremont.
–1st PLACE–
Ethereal Cades Cove
By Lin Trentham
Perfectly presented in a panoramic format, the
horizontal bands of different shapes, colors, and
textures coax your eyes to explore every inch of this
image. The subtle color palette conveys a peaceful,
bucolic mood. All the bare trees in both the
foreground and middle ground have good detail, and
the background fog is appropriately soft and velvety.
Overall, it was well seen, well captured, and well
presented. It exemplifies the beauty of the Smokies.
–2nd PLACE–
Winter Bull Elk
By Roger Trentham
The elk is perfectly sized and
placed in the image. He’s got
plenty of room to look into the
frame to his left, and there is just
the right amount of space above
his antlers and between the right
edge and his backside. Gorgeous
light and a great catchlight in the
eye round out the highlights of
this image.
–FACEBOOK FAVORITE–
Starry Night at John Oliver Cabin
By Dan Thompson
–3rd PLACE–
Fall Splendor
By Traci Burkholder
This classic view incorporates the
flowing water, the rocks, and the
colorful leaves that really say Fall
in the Smokies. Everything in this
image is perfectly placed. The
small rock at the lower left and
the green vegetation and large
rock on the lower right anchor the
bottom well. The tree and the
rocks have just enough space
between them and the edges of
the frame.
What’s Your Story?
Did you visit Tremont as a child? Maybe you came with a school group, spent a summer at camp, or worked as
a teacher/naturalist one season. We want to hear from you. Did your Tremont experience inspire you to work in
environmental education? Have you shared the wonders of the Smokies with others after discovering it for
yourself at Tremont? Email heather@gsmit.org and share your story. We’d like to feature Tremont alumni in
future editions of our newsletter, e-news, and on our Web site.
Walker Valley Reflections — Spring 2012
15
Non-Profit Org.
US Postage
PAID
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
9275 Tremont Road
Townsend, TN 37882
Permit No. 127
Knoxville, TN
As of December 31, 2011, we had 2,695 Facebook fans (an
increase of 109% over 2010)! Won't you join us, too?
Program brochures are available by contacting our office:
www.gsmit.org • (865) 448-6709 • mail@gsmit.org
STAFF
citizen science research
interns
Lydia Reese
Clara Ross
school program
coordinator
Jennie McGuigan
special program
coordinator
Jeremy Lloyd
program specialist
Mary Dresser
education director
John DiDiego
marketing
communications
specialist
Heather Davis
grounds & facilities
Sam Crowe
Doc Johnson
Dan McGuigan
finance manager
Mike Gross
treasurer
Jon Lawler*
Elizabeth Estill**
human resource/office
manager
Charlene Stewart
past president
Dick Ray*
Ed Pershing**
registrar/assistant
office manager
Julie Brown
food service director
Steve Foster
Dave Osborne
?
environmental education
summer interns
Colin Brumsted
Elizabeth Davis
Natalie Holland
Ian Lupey
citizen science
coordinator
Tiffany Beachy
president
Ed Pershing*
Cathy Ackermann**
food service
Mechelle Crowe
Angela Harris
Linda Hatcher
Tosha Martin
Chuck McElroy
David McNeill
Melody Phelps
Hazel Schuler
Emma Lou Willison
KNOW
summer teacher/
naturalists
Kenton McKasson
Zac Schnell
Jessica Silveri
Amy Wilson
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
citizen science educator
Rebecca Ludwig
DID YOU
teacher/naturalists
Caleb Carlton
Dawn Dextraze
Kathleen Durkin
Gina Lappe
Adam Leiterman
Christina McCoy
Patrick McNamara
Tesha Omeis
Jaimee Phipps
John Rakes
Mary Silver
development/pr director
Sandra Byrd
vice president
Cathy Ackermann*
Sandy Martin**
sales
Gary Carpenter
Linda Vananda
secretary
Sandy Martin
directors
Kati Blalock
Jack Burgin
Billy Carroll
Bill Cobble
Elizabeth Estill
Jim Haslam
Christopher Jackson
Richard Johnson
Maribel Koella
Robin Turner
Jamie Woodson
*2011 officer
**2012 officer
executive director
Ken Voorhis
Did you know that you can receive Walker Valley Reflections by
email? Some people prefer to get this newsletter by email rather
than through regular mail. If you would like to join them, just let
us know at mail@gsmit.org. You can also find past newsletters
on our website at www.gsmit.org.
Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont is operated in cooperation with Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This newsletter is printed on 100% postrecycled paper. Newsletter design concept by Lisa Horstman. Designed by Shelly Powell.