Citizen Science in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Citizen science is a growing movement where non-professional scientists contribute to valuable research. In Great Smoky Mountains National Park, volunteers of all ages have participated in various projects over the years. Recently, citizen scientists have helped with monitoring leaf-out timings, and the Dragonfly Mercury Project by collecting dragonflies to study mercury contamination in park wildlife.
Current collaborations with Discover Life in America and the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont offer visitors and locals opportunities to engage in meaningful scientific work. Citizen scientists play a crucial role in helping resource managers gather essential data in the field.
Key Contributions:
Phenology Observations: Volunteers track seasonal changes in flora and fauna, such as when spring arrives or whether bird migrations are occurring earlier. These observations, collected by school groups, campers, and park visitors, provide insights into climate change and ecological patterns over time. This tradition dates back to the 1930s with the park's first naturalist, Arthur Stupka, who meticulously recorded phenological changes. Over decades, the Tremont Institute has continued to monitor these vital trends in Walker Valley.
A River Otter eats an Eastern Hellbender in Little River
Rick Vollbrecht
Become an Otter Spotter
Help Track River Otters in the Smokies!
River otters were eliminated from the Smokies by the early 1900s due to habitat destruction and unregulated trapping for their valuable fur. In 1986, the National Park Service initiated a reintroduction program, trapping and releasing 137 otters from North Carolina, South Carolina, and Louisiana over eight years. Initial monitoring showed that the otters adapted well to their new environment, but long-term assessments were not established.
Today, otters thrive in the Smokies, occupying their role as top predators in mountain streams. They are believed to inhabit every drainage, but their exact population size and distribution remain unknown. That’s where you come in!
Your Role:
Observe and Report: While enjoying the Smokies, share your otter sightings or signs (tracks and scat) on our Otter Spotter project page using iNaturalist. If uncertain about identification, don't hesitate to ‘request ID help.’
Descriptive Posts: If you spot an otter but can't take a photo, you can still post an observation detailing what you saw. Be sure to pin an accurate location on the observation map.
Photo Submission: If you find otter scat or tracks, please submit a photo!
By contributing your observations, you’ll help us create a clearer picture of otter distribution in the park and identify areas for focused research.
Discover Life in America: Use Inaturalist to take photos of interesting plants, animals, or fungi you encounter while hiking. If you can't identify a species, don't worry—specialists using iNaturalist can assist with identification! Your posts will help the park gather valuable location data for our Species Mapping project.
Smokies Most Wanted:
We need your iNaturalist observations of species in Great Smoky Mountains National Park! Every observation provides valuable data on where and when these species occur, helping us map their distributions and assist park officials in making informed conservation decisions. Join us—it's easy, fun, and contributes to scientific research!
Get Involved!
There are many ways to participate in citizen science, both within the park and in your own backyard! The park offers specific opportunities geared towards students as well. Check the park’s online calendar for public and student ranger-led hikes, talks, and activities, or sign up to volunteer with Discover Life in America or Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont
For more local citizen science opportunities, explore options at your home, workplace, or school by searching for “citizen science” online. Happy adventuring!
