BEARS OF THE SMOKIES
Learn about the life of the southern Appalachian black bear—a popular and remarkably adaptable carnivore that has lived amidst human cultures for thousands of years. This hands-on course will take you on a moderate hike into prime black bear habitat. What do they eat? What are bear “mark trees”? When do bears breed? Where do they hibernate and how do they survive the winter without food while giving birth to cubs? What should you do when you encounter a bear? Search for active bear signs and find out how researchers unravel the mysteries of this unique mammal. Instructor: Mike Pelton, Ph.D., professor emeritus, UT Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries. He has actively conducted wildlife research in the Smokies since 1969. Pelton and his students have written more than 100 articles on various wild mammals in the Park.
Register now: Course #10SP861
Fee: $49
Sat., May 1, 2010, 1:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
(Meet at Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont, office parking area.)
BIRDING IN THE SMOKIES
An opening discussion will consider basic materials (binoculars, field guides, checklists, and CDs/tapes of calls and songs) as well as non-technical methods of identifying birds by both visual clues and their distinctive vocalizations. The remainder of the first day will be devoted to birding the Park Headquarters grounds and adjacent areas in the lower elevations of the Park. The second day will be devoted to birding higher elevation hardwood and spruce-fir forests, where distinctive species like rose-breasted grosbeaks, black-capped chickadees, black-throated blue warblers, golden-crowned kinglets, winter wrens, hairy woodpeckers, brown creepers, least flycatchers, and red-breasted nuthatches will be located. Bobolinks, orchard orioles, and blue grosbeaks will be observed in a meadow adjacent to the Park. The goal for the weekend will be the identification of 75 species. Instructor: George Ellison is a writer-naturalist who resides in Bryson City, N.C. He teaches bird identification workshops for the North Carolina Arboretum, Southwestern Community College, various Elderhostels, and many other facilities and institutions.
Register now: Course #10SP851
Fee: $95
Sat. and Sun., May 1 & 2, 2010, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
(Meet on porch at Park Headquarters Bldg.)
FLY FISHING IN THE SMOKIES
Learn the skills and joy of fly fishing, with emphasis on angling in the Smokies. This comprehensive session includes instruction in casting techniques, basic knot tying, reading the water, and onstream demonstrations. We will discuss essential equipment, popular mountain flies and their use, and trout-related entomology. On-stream photography will be covered briefly as well. You must furnish your own equipment. Actual fishing is encouraged after class. If you plan to fish, you need to provide your own license. Instructor: Jim Casada is a retired university history professor, a son of the Smokies, and the author of several books on fly fishing including Fly Fishing the Great Smoky Mountains National Park: An Insider's Guide to a Pursuit of Passion. He has fished Park waters and walked Park trails all his life.
Register now: Course #10SP910
Fee: $95
Sat. and Sun., May 8 & 9, 2010
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
(Meet in training room at Sugarlands Visitor Center, 9:30 a.m., Sat.)
Register now: Course #10SU910
Fee: $95
Sat. and Sun., June 19 & 20, 2010
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
(Meet in training room at Sugarlands Visitor Center, 9:30 a.m., Sat.)
SALAMANDERS IN THE SMOKIES
Come find out why the Smokies are known as the Salamander Capital of the World. There are 30 known species of salamanders in the Smokies—more than anywhere else in the world. Spend a day visiting several forest communities in the Park, observe salamanders in their native habitats, and learn about the role of these fascinating animals in forest ecosystems. The beauty and diversity of Smoky Mountain salamanders will amaze you. Instructor: Carey Jones is a former Park Ranger naturalist who led educational walks for 14 years in the Smokies. Always the seeker and discoverer, his experience and M.A. help glean truths from nature to share with fellow learners. He is a naturalist for several organizations, including the annual Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage in the Park, and is the narrator of the new Bird Songs of the Smokies CD set.
Register now: Course #10SU882
Fee: $49
Sat., June 5, 2010, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
(Meet in training room at Sugarlands Visitor Center.)
ELK IN THE SMOKIES
Come and learn about the experimental elk release in Great Smoky Mountains National Park! Elk have been extinct in North Carolina and Tennessee for approximately 150 years, but they roam again now in the valleys of Cataloochee in Western North Carolina. We'll view elk and their behaviors during the mating season, hear bugling, and learn how researchers track and monitor elk in the Smokies. Instructor: Joe Yarkovich, Wildlife Management/Elk Research Coordinator, National Park Service. He has spent time working on wildlife projects in Sequoia National Park, Santa Catalina Island, San Clemente Island, various Louisiana wildlife refuges, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Register now: Course #10FA883
Fee: $49
Sat., Sept. 25, 2010, 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
(Meet at Cataloochee Ranger Station.)
This apple denotes Knox County Teacher Center approval for in-service credit.
Question? E-mail us at professionalpgms@utk.edu or call (865) 974-0150.
Download a print version of our catalog. (pdf)
Give us your feedback. Complete our course evaluation form. (pdf)