Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage

In Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Photo taken by iNaturalist user, tgovus, during the 2020 Virtual Wildflower Pilgrimage iNaturalist Expedition.
  PILGRIMAGE
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2022 Evening Speakers

We’re back! History and health of the 72-year-old Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage
Wednesday evening
Speaker: Joey Shaw, Chair SWFP Organizing Committee, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
(Read about the speaker)


The Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park began in 1951 as a collaboration between GSMNP Staff, the City of Gatlinburg, and regional academics, naturalists, and artists. The original goal was to bring the public to this "great outdoor classroom" as winter transitions to spring to drive education and public awareness on the Park's biodiversity, conservation of resources, and importance to humanity through scientific, cultural, and artistic lenses. These traditions continue today and our Pilgrimage is currently the oldest and largest event of its kind in the US.

The Pollinator Victory Garden: Win the war on pollinator decline with ecological gardening
Thursday evening
Speaker: Kim Eierman (Read about the speaker)

Countless pollinator species have suffered dramatic declines in recent years. It’s a serious problem for all of us since pollinators are responsible for the reproduction of 80% of all flowering plants on Earth, and at least 30% of the food that we eat. Unfortunately, our managed landscapes offer little in the way of appropriate habitat and forage for these essential animals. With ecological design strategies and informed native plant selection, you can attract and support a wide array of pollinators that have different requirements.  In this talk, Kim Eierman will share useful tips from her book, The Pollinator Victory Garden: Win the War on Pollinator Decline with Ecological Gardening.  Get the information you need to start your own Pollinator Victory Garden this spring!

ANNUAL SPRING WILDFLOWER PILGRIMAGE

April 23-26, 2025 / GSMNP


  • Home
  • Donate
  • Past & Future Events
    • SWFP 2025 >
      • SWFP 2025 Program
      • Event Pricing
      • Lodging
      • Evening Speakers
      • Featured Artist Spotlight
      • Campsites
      • Interactive Maps
      • iNaturalist
      • Inclement Weather
      • Parking Passes at GSMNP
      • Code of Conduct
      • Terms and Conditions
    • SWFP 2024 >
      • SWFP 2024 Program
      • Event Pricing
    • SWFP 2023 >
      • SWFP 2023 Program
      • Featured Artist Spotlight
      • Evening Speakers
    • SWFP 2022 >
      • SWFP 2022 Program
      • Evening Speakers
      • Artist of the Year
    • 2021 Virtual FWFP
  • Need Gear?
  • About
    • Our Story
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  • Contact Us