Outdoors
‘Lichen heaven’: Smokies emerges as research hub for understudied organisms
When visitors come to explore Great Smoky Mountains National Park, they have access to a wealth of knowledge highlighting the diversity of plants, animals, and ecosystems found in this special place. Among them are lichens — a lesser-known group of species whose members were largely undiscovered as recently as two decades ago. Since then, the Smokies have grown into a hub of lichen discovery and documentation, with the number of species in the park nearly tripling from 340 to 965.
Snakes in the grass
Snakes tend to scare people. Believe me, I get it. Being named Adam and being an avid gardener, stories of snakes and apples and Eve have followed me my whole life. Snakes have been demonized by biblical references and the general fear of wild things. This fear tends to keep many people from exploring the woods and meadows around them, unfortunately.
National Park seeks ‘Elk Rover’ volunteers
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is seeking individuals to join the Elk Rover volunteer team for the upcoming 2025 season. Elk Rovers share information with visitors about safe wildlife viewing and help keep elk and visitors safe. Elk Rovers will be stationed at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center.
Volunteer duties include:
• Standing and walking for extended periods.
• Assisting with traffic management along US 441/Newfound Gap Road.
• Assisting and guiding visitors.
• Educating visitors about wildlife safety and etiquette.
• Answering general questions about the park.
Interested volunteers should commit to one, four-hour afternoon shift per week on either Friday, Saturday or Sunday starting in July and continuing through mid-November.
All new Elk Rovers are required to attend a mandatory in-person training session in July. Additionally, volunteers will have the opportunity to learn alongside a dedicated team of experienced rovers and park rangers who will provide on-the-job training.
Learn more at nps.gov/grsm/getinvolved/volunteer.htm.
Lake Junaluska announces summer programming
Each Thursday evening at 8 p.m. through Aug. 7, Lake Junaluska will feature a family-friendly storyteller and music at the fire pit just below Shackleford Hall. Bring a chair or blanket and sit on the hillside. Afterward, enjoy s’mores under the stars. This event is free.
Parks Service to improve 7 miles of Newfound Gap Road
Starting July 14, Great Smoky Mountains National Park will kick off a rehabilitation of a 7-mile stretch of Newfound Gap Road on the North Carolina side of the park.
Highlands hosts lecture on ‘Helene as a Geologic Event’
The Highlands Biological Foundation invites the public to continue exploring the forces that shape our region with the next installment of the 2025 Zahner Conservation Lecture Series.
Audubon welcomes Dana Sargent as community building director
Audubon North Carolina has named Dana Sargent as the organization’s new Community Building Director.
Sargent comes to Audubon after serving as executive director of Wilmington-based Cape Fear River Watch for the past seven years, where her work included leading high-profile campaigns against PFAS and forever chemical pollution.
Learn about beekeeping at the Marianna Black Library
The Marianna Black Library in Bryson City will be hosting The Wonderful World of Bees from 11 a.m. to noon Saturday, July 19. Fred Crawford, local beekeeper, will be presenting on bee conservation and pollination.
Sylva accepts state grant for trail expansion at Pinnacle Park
A popular hiking destination in Jackson County will soon see expanded access and new trail construction, thanks state funding awarded to the Town of Sylva.
At its July 10 meeting, the Sylva Board of Commissioners approved a resolution authorizing town staff to accept a $92,000 grant from the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources’ Recreational Trails Program.
