Celebrate Biodiversity Days in Great Smoky Mountains National Park beginning on June 20 -22, 2013 with walk,seminars, demonstrations, scientist-led field trips, and other fun events both on the Tennessee side and North Carolina side of the Park.  These events  help us raise awareness of the amazing diversity of GSMNP.  Learn more about the biodiversity of GSMNP and the on-going All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory (ATBI) throughout this website (see below for schedule of events). Space will be limited; make your reservations early (865-430-4757).

What is Biodiversity?

Biodiversity is the variation of species in a given ecosystem, including all types of life forms from plants to animals. Here in the Smoky Mountains, estimates have been as high as 100,000 for how many unique species reside here. The variety of species in an ecosystem has become important to scientists since population and consumption of resources by society have been growing.

Why is biodiversity important?

The level of biodiversity in an ecosystem is a measure of how healthy that ecosystem is. Humans are affected by biodiversity in their everyday lives, with services such as clean air, fertile soil, and water purification all stemming from the ecosystem and its biodiversity. Thus diversity in ecosystems enriches human life through methods not easily seen, and we need biodiversity to support ourselves and all other life we share this planet with.

Check out this creative video on "ATBI" and biodiversity!

What are biodiversity days?

Biodiversity days is an event provided by Discover Life in America where workshops, presentations, and hikes are given to raise awareness for the importance of variation of life throughout the planet. Obscure species are also discussed to provide visitors with a fresh outlook on life forms.

Schedule of Events:

DATE TIME TOPIC LOCATION

June 20

 10 am – 3 pm  Fungi of the Smokies  Twin Creeks Science Center

 7 pm – 9 pm  Crayfish of the Smokies
Who, What, When and Where?   Tremont Institute

June 21

 8:30 am – Noon Crayfish of the Smokies- Collecting DayTremont Institute

June 22

 1:00 pm– 4:00 pm Tree Team  Arthropod Sorting   Twin Creeks Science Center

For more information or to register, call 865-430-4757 or visit our website at dlia.org