Discover Life in America hold BioBlitz event on Tellico Lake
GATLINBURG â Smokies nonprofit, Discover Life in America (DLiA), invites the community to participate in its 12th BioBlitz in partnership with Tennessee Valley Authority at Tellico Lake on July 31.
The free, family-friendly event serves as an opportunity for individuals to learn from local scientists about the various species found at TVA public sites while also contributing to science. Participants will work in small groups to survey the East Lakeshore Trail from 8 a.m. â 12 p.m. Later, they will post photos of the organisms they have found to the community science platform iNaturalist, building a list of area species that can be viewed and contributed to later.
âIâve learned so much just listening to them (DLiA staff) that it has really been very educational and very interesting for me personally,â said TVA program manager Melinda Watson.
On the south side of Guntersville dam, participants will work in small groups to survey the Cave Mountain Trail from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. Then, they will post photos of the organisms they have found to the community science platform iNaturalist, building a list of area species that can be viewed and contributed to later.
No experience is necessary to attend. Participants should download the free iNaturalist app onto their phone or smart device in advance of the event and dress appropriately for the outdoors.
Like teacher, like students.
Nick Williamson, a former best of show winner of the Tennessee Junior Duck Stamp contest, has passed the passion for illustrating these aquatic birds to his students at Clarksville Academy.
This year, 12 students competed in the contest, with several placing in the statewide competition. Having students place in the contest shows where the art program is going, how we’re building and getting more people who are students competing in it, said Williamson, who earned top honors in 2000 and 2001.
Grades 7-9: Savannah Elder placed second.
Grades 10-12: Jamilyn Giarrizzo placed first, Ayden Kujawa and Garlyn Jarrell placed second and Elizabeth Hammond placed third. Sam Wilson, Valentin Basso Gural, Nevaeh Strawser, Max McWhorter, Zach Austin, Autumn Pendergrass, Ty Teasley, Gabi Nicholson, Leah Haves and Hannah Weatherford received honorable mentions.