Posted by Winter has long been a time of rest. All of Nature seems to sleep, rejuvenating and then blooming come Spring. We (the rangers and volunteers of Great Smoky Mountains National Park) closed down Cades Cove tonight, for what will be a two month stretch. The Bote Mountain Tunnel on Laurel Creek Road leading into the…Read more »
Posted by By: Zach Steinhauser (Instagram: @thewildstein) It seems as if all you hear about in the news today is one environmental crisis after another. That gets pretty old pretty quick, however the gravity behind each one of those issues is very real. A lot of people grow apathetic because these crises occur halfway across the planet…Read more »
Posted by By: Madison Jade and Jake Causey The monarch butterfly. Well known for their distinctive black and orange beautiful wings, and adored by so many who flock to witness their spectacular mass migration, these incredible insects rule over a kingdom all their own. You may believe monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) to be delicate and fragile –…Read more »
Posted by By: Lauren Diaz The Appalachian mountains share their story with us in many forms, beginning from their wise and weathered peaks, through their towering forests, and down to the rushing roar of their rocky streams and rivers. Many of these clear, mountain rivers are inhabited by the cryptic and awe-inspiring Eastern Hellbender. Truly a living…Read more »
Posted by This is not the first time – nor will it be the last – we discuss the global climate crisis on Beyond the Riverbend. But this past Friday, September 20th, 2019, the global climate strike kicked off with the largest climate rally in history. People from all over the world, from every walk of life,…Read more »
Posted by By: Erin Waddell Heyo! This is Erin and I’m an AmeriCorps member serving in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I started interning in the park back in September of 2017, but soon found myself unable to leave. Now, I’m reaching almost two years inside the park, and I couldn’t be any happier. I fell in…Read more »
Posted by Black bears (Ursus americanus) are arguably the most iconic animal in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. People from all over the world flock here year-round in the hopes of seeing our big furry friends. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is home to more than 1,600 bears – a steady population that is supported by the…Read more »
Posted by Hello again to my Beyond the Riverbend family, and a very happy EARTH DAY! As of today, our blog is celebrating its one year anniversary, and I couldn’t be more grateful for those of you who have followed along, despite the gaps in writing and an irregular schedule (which accompanies the life of a seasonal…Read more »
Posted by By: Celine Carniero Growing up, I came across lots of stories about biologists working with rare and endangered animals. Specifically, I remember them recounting their experiences with seeing their study species disappear, even from what appeared to be untouched areas. These were the stories that drove my passion for protecting wild places and the wild…Read more »
Posted by Happy November, dear readers! I hope your Halloween celebrations brought you ghoulish fun! Now that we have entered the month dedicated to gratitude (although I absolutely advise that we all count at least five things to be thankful for each and every day), I would like to embrace the spirit of thankfulness and share with…Read more »
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