GSMNP Science Colloquium, Teacher Workshop set for March 3rd
February 17, 2022

Discover Life in America is excited to announce the 2022 Great Smoky Mountains National Park Science Colloquium, an annual research symposium co-hosted by DLiA and GSMNP. This free event is open to the public and highlights scientific research taking place in and around the park. The Colloquium will be held on Thursday, March 3rd at 9 AM via Zoom. More information and free registration can be found at dlia.org.

The Science Colloquium is a chance for scientists conducting research in the Smokies to showcase their findings to the public. This year’s colloquium will feature 15 presentations by scientists from the University of Tennessee, Western Carolina University, Syracuse University, NEON, and a several other regional institutions. Talks will cover wide-ranging subjects, from exploring the experience of African Americans in the region to better understanding how high-elevation forests intercept fog, and from investigating the boundaries between salamander species to discovering diversity in soil-dwelling fungi. The schedule and full list of speakers and talks, as well as registration information can be found at dlia.org/science-colloquium-2022. This virtual event is free, but registration is required.

In addition to the Colloquium, DLiA will be holding a virtual workshop for teachers about their iScience biodiversity program on the same day (March 3rd) from 3:00-4:30 PM ET. Educators and parents are invited to join both events. The free workshop will also take place virtually over Zoom. Information and free registration can be found at dlia.org/workshop-2021-03.

DLiA co-organizes the Science Colloquium as part of its commitment toward promoting the importance of biological diversity in the Smokies region, considered to be one of the most biodiverse ecosystems in North America. DLiA manages the All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory (ATBI) in the park, aimed at cataloging all the animals, plants and other organisms living there. More than 21,000 species have thus far been documented there, but an estimated 40,000-60,000 additional species have yet to be discovered, and so the work continues. Insights gained from the ATBI help park management to better understand and protect the species that make the Smokies such a special place.