ABOUT THE PILGRIMAGE
The Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage is a 68-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 700 pilgrims from more than 30 states and several countries joined us in 2017. 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 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. SOLD OUT. We had a massive registration turnout this year and do not have any more capacity for 2018. There will be NO onsite registration. We will look creatively into ways to expand our event for 2019, but for 2018 we simply cannot accept any more registrations. Please mark your calendars to begin checking our website and FaceBook pages in February 2019 so you might register early next year and secure your spot in this great event! To make this point, we crossed 50% capacity by the end of the first weekend following registration! We hope to see you on the trails, Joey Shaw, Ken McFarland, and Pat Cox 24-28 April 2018 - Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage April 3, 2013 - T-shirt online store closed. T-shirts will not be available onsite. 1 March 2018, 10AM Eastern Time - Pilgrim/attendee registration opened. 16 February 2018 - Release of 2018 Official Brochure 6 February 2018 - Release of 2018 Program of Events 15 January 2018 - Leader/Expert registration opens PRICES Adults $50 for one day and $75 for two or more days. Students $15 for one or more days with verification at on-site registration. Children 15 and under free when accompanied by registered adult. QUESTIONS? Contact Joey Shaw, Department of Biology, Geology, and Environmental Science University of Tennessee at Chattanooga |
LODGING PARTNERS
The Edgewater at the Aquarium
800-423-9582 Website Rates: from $99.99 Group Code: Call - Wildflower Pilgrimage |
Zoder's Inn & Suites
865-850-7655 Website Rates: from $70 Group Code: Call Erica - Wildflower Pilgrimage |
Hotel group room blocks are based on availability and rate is subject to change at anytime. Rates applicable to current tax, individual hotel cancellation policy and additional fees may apply.
EVENT PARTNERS
ORGANIZING COMMITTEE
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 |