She Slumbers

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 »

Conservation Starts at Home

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 »

Royal Flyers

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 »

Bear Necessities: Black Bear Biology

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 »

A Necessary Balance

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 »

On a Drive at Dusk

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 »