Past Citizen Science Projects

Monarch Larva Monitoring Project in Cades Cove
Well-known for their long-distance migration to Mexico, monarchs are one of the most famous insects in North America. Much of their biology, however, remains a mystery. This project is a nationwide citizen science monitoring program that involves measuring monarch egg and caterpillar densities over time. The goal is to improve our understanding of how and why monarch populations vary annually and seasonally and across different geographical areas.  Students examine milkweed plants (the only food source for monarch larvae) and count any monarch eggs or larvae they encounter. They also identify flowers in bloom and other invertebrates they find.

Learn more about the Monarch Larva Monitoring Project

Seed Collection in Cades Cove
The park is in the process of restoring the habitat of Cades Cove, returning some of it to the native grasses and wildflowers that existed there in the past, and eliminating non-natives such as fescue. This effort is labor-intensive and involves growing these native plants and collecting their seeds to be replanted. Students can be a great help in the seed collection, while simultaneously learning about the history and environment of Cades Cove, management of natural resources, and plant identification. When planning your schedule, let your coordinator at Tremont know if you would like this activity to be a part of one of your lessons.

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Survey
The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker is a bird that typically migrates through the Smokies in the spring. Recent evidence shows that there may be a subspecies of this bird that breed in the Smokies. To learn more about this possible subspecies, scientists and volunteers have been conducting trail surveys in appropriate habitats in the park. Using a tape recorder, they broadcast taped calls of the sapsuckers and listen to hear if any birds respond. Students are involved in documenting habitat characteristics during the survey and listening for birds responding to the tapes. 

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