Smoky Mountain Field School announces May courses

By Kassie Barker
UT Student Writer

A non-credit course offered by the Smoky Mountain Field School in May explores the plants and trees Native Americans and early settlers used for food, medicines, dye and crafts.

Participants in Incredible Edibles and Traditional Medicinals will discover Native American secrets of plants that sustained man for 10,000 years in the Smokies. Spend a day discovering how to identify plants and trees Native Americans and early settlers used for dye, food, medicines, crafts and other items of daily life. The course will be held May 10 from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The course fee is $49.

Birding for Beginners will also be offered on May 10. Participants will learn the basics of binoculars, field guides, checklists and CDs, then learn the simple steps to identifying birds. The course will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The family-oriented course fee is $49 for adults and $39 for children.

Other remaining May course offerings:

+ Bears of the Smokies (May 10, $49)

+ Exploring Stream Life (May 17, $35 adults, $25 children)

+ Backpacking with Confidence (May 24-25, $98)

The Smoky Mountain Field School is an educational partnership of the University of Tennessee and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. 

Register online or call (865) 974-0150 for a free 2008 Smoky Mountain Field School catalog.