Dwarf crested iris was the most commonly photographed wildflower of the 2018 event. Photo by naturalist_nate.
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ABOUT THE PILGRIMAGE
The Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage is a 69-year old annual event in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park featuring professionally-guided walks to explore the region's rich natural and cultural resources. More than 800 pilgrims from more than 32 states and several countries joined us in 2018. Our programs included fungi, ferns, wildflowers, trees and shrubs, medicinal plants, insects (terrestrial and aquatic), salamanders and snakes, birds, mammals (bats to bears), birds, journaling, art and photography, and park history. Please note, we will always communicate to you through this website or via your email provided during the registration process. IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND DATES Winter 2018 / 2019 - Leader/Expert registration opens Mid-February 2019 - Release of 2019 Program of Events (about 70% of the program stays the same from year to year, so if you are unfamiliar with the WFP, you might check the 2018 info, still available below) Mid-February 2018 - Release of 2019 Official Brochure Late February / Early March Pilgrim Registration open and online merchandise sales will begin. 23-27 April 2019 - Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage Inclement Weather Policy: Please note that we have never cancelled, nor will we cancel events, based on weather (unless we are faced with extreme weather events, like tornados). The leaders will always be at their respective meeting places and they will communicate and make decisions with you at meeting places regarding modifying the time (e.g., delaying an hour or so), distance, or even location of their events (e.g., from a ridge to lower elevations to avoid lightening). Due to the nature of the Wildflower Pilgrimage, we cannot reschedule and events missed because of weather. PRICES Pricing for the Wildflower Pilgrimage has remained constant for nearly ten years while the costs to put on this event have increased through this time. While the organizers have worked wonders to hold pricing the same, it is time to increase fees. Our promise to you is that we will work hard to keep costs as reasonable as possible. QUESTIONS? Contact Joey Shaw, Department of Biology, Geology, and Environmental Science University of Tennessee at Chattanooga |
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LODGING PARTNERS
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The Edgewater at the Aquarium
800-423-9582 Website Rates: from $101 Group Code: Call - Wildflower Pilgrimage |
Hilton Garden Inn Downtown Gatlinburg
865-436-0048 Website Rates: from $169 Group Code: WFP19 Click Here to Book |
EVENT PARTNERS
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ORGANIZING COMMITTEE
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Association of Southeastern Biologists (ASB)
Joey Shaw ASB Past-President University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Zack Murrell ASB Past-President Appalachian State University Ashley Morris ASB President Middle Tennessee State University Ed Lickey ASB Treasurer Bridgewater College Emily Gillespie ASB Member-at-Large Marshall University Shannon Gordon Meeting Planner |
National Park service
Stephanie Sutton North District Resource Education Supervisor Lisa Nagurny North District Resource Education Ranger Arrowmont Bill May Executive Director Great Smoky Mountains Association Lisa Duff Marketing and Membership Director Karen Key Publications Specialist University of Tennessee Knoxville Ken McFarland Department of Ecology, and Evolutionary Biology Pat Cox University of Tennessee Herbarium - TENN |