Time To Register For Annual Wildflower Pilgrimage At Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Published Date

February 15, 2015

Are you planning to attend the 65th Annual Wildflower Pilgrimage in the Smokies?/NPS

If you like wildflowers and hiking in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, now's the time to register for the 65th Annual Wildflower Pilgrimage in the park.

WHAT: Registration for the 65th annual Wildflower Pilgrimage began Saturday, Feb. 14. Each year, more than 700 people from more than 35 states and beyond descend on the Great Smoky Mountains as spring flora color the forest with flowers and vibrant spring migratory birds return to their summer home.

The event is sponsored in part by several departments at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

WHEN: April 21'25. Online registration opens Feb. 14 at http://www.springwildflowerpilgrimage.org. Registration fees are $75 per person for two or more days, or $50 for a single day. Students pay $15 with valid student ID presented at onsite registration.

WHERE: Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

BACKGROUND: The pilgrimage offers 146 guided walks and indoor presentations. This year features 32 birding programs along with programs on wildflowers, ferns, mosses, medicinal plants, bears, hogs, insects, bats, fungi, salamanders, ecology, tree and wildflower identification, cultural and natural history, and bird and wildflower photography and sketching.

The event also hosts a photography contest and a gallery of vendors, native plant growers, exhibitors, a native plant display, and a series of documentary and natural history films about the park.

The pilgrimage kicks off with a welcoming luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, April 21, at the Mills Conference Center. Speaker Kim DeLozier will deliver the talk, "Bear in the Backseat: Adventures of a Wildlife Ranger in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park." Talks on birds and fungi in the park will be given in the evenings.

The Wildflower Pilgrimage is a collaboration of UT's Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, the Great Smoky Mountains Association, the Southern Appalachian Botanical Society, the City of Gatlinburg, the Gatlinburg Garden Club, Friends of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts. The more than a hundred event leaders include faculty and graduate students from the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology; Division of Biology; and Department of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries.

For more information, call 865-436-7318, ext. 222, 9 a.m.'4 p.m. Monday through Friday, or visit the Wildflower Pilgrimage website, http://www.springwildflowerpilgrimage.org.

Story Categories:

Parks in the News

Support National Parks Traveler

National Parks Traveler is a small, editorially independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit media organization. The Traveler is not part of the federal government nor a corporate subsidiary. Your support helps ensure the Traveler's news and feature coverage of national parks and protected areas endures.

EIN: 26-2378789

Support Essential Coverage of Essential Places

A copy of National Parks Traveler's financial statements may be obtained by sending a stamped, self-addressed envelope to: National Parks Traveler, P.O. Box 980452, Park City, Utah 84098. National Parks Traveler was formed in the state of Utah for the purpose of informing and educating about national parks and protected areas.

Residents of the following states may obtain a copy of our financial and additional information as stated below:

Florida: A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR NATIONAL PARKS TRAVELER, (REGISTRATION NO. CH 51659), MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING 800-435-7352 OR VISITING THEIR WEBSITE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.
Georgia: A full and fair description of the programs and financial statement summary of National Parks Traveler is available upon request at the office and phone number indicated above.
Maryland: Documents and information submitted under the Maryland Solicitations Act are also available, for the cost of postage and copies, from the Secretary of State, State House, Annapolis, MD 21401 (410-974-5534).
North Carolina: Financial information about this organization and a copy of its license are available from the State Solicitation Licensing Branch at 888-830-4989 or 919-807-2214. The license is not an endorsement by the State.
Pennsylvania: The official registration and financial information of National Parks Traveler may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling 800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.
Virginia: Financial statements are available from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, 102 Governor Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219.
Washington: National Parks Traveler is registered with Washington State’s Charities Program as required by law and additional information is available by calling 800-332-4483 or visiting www.sos.wa.gov/charities, or on file at Charities Division, Office of the Secretary of State, State of Washington, Olympia, WA 98504.

Add new comment

Comments

Submitted by [email protected] on February 16, 2015 - 9:59am.

Come to the Wildlife Pilgrimage.

It's an amazing array of hikes and flower walks. People come from all over the country and even the world.

This is not a "local" event.

Danny

www.hikertohiker.com

Add comment

form.antibot { display: none !important; } You must have JavaScript enabled to use this form.

INN Member

The easiest way to explore RV-friendly National Park campgrounds.

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks

Here’s the definitive guide to National Park System campgrounds where RVers can park their rigs.

Our app is packed with RVing- specific details on more than 250 campgrounds in more than 70 national parks.

You’ll also find stories about RVing in the parks, tips helpful if you’ve just recently become an RVer, and useful planning suggestions.

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks