Non Credit Courses 2014-2015

Non Credit Courses 2014-2015

Introducing Sustainability – This course introduces you to the concept of sustainability in personal and institutional life. We’ll examine ways to reduce our personal and institutional environmental footprints through transportation, energy, food, waste, and water. (3)
Measuring and Reducing Energy Footprints – It’s impossible to manage what we don’t measure. In this course you’ll learn the basics of measuring the energy footprints of your business or organization and thinking strategically about energy efficiency goals and projects. (3)
Urban Ecological Restoration – This course introduces you to ecological restoration of disturbed sites in the Upper Tennessee Valley. You’ll learn to identify general site characteristics of both disturbed and functional ecosystems, gain basic understanding of plant communities in our region, create trajectories for restoration initiatives across various scales, and determine basic indicator species that can be introduced in order to initialize the restoration process.
Greening Your Business– Greening your business is a sustainable approach to business operations. In this course you’ll learn how to save operational costs, plan for short and long term cycle gains, and correctly portray to a potential customer how green your product or service may be. (2)
Zero Waste Principles and Practices – Throughout this course you’ll learn about recycling and composting option available in the region, materials management, and working with vendors to achieve zero waste in your home, business and industries. We’ll take a field trip to Rock Tenn. Recycling and the UT Composting Facility. (3)
Global Freshwater Sustainability – There are increasing problems and conflicts over freshwater availability, ownership, and uses. In this course you’ll be introduced to the watershed approach for solving freshwater problems of sustainability. We’ll also discuss sources of pollution and the best methods for reducing them. (3)
Soil Analysis and Conditioning – New technological and scientific studies and findings have made it possible to enhance the fertility, bio effectiveness and productivity of soil. This course takes full advantage of and digs even deeper into some of those scientific finds that promise great things for your efforts in your own garden or landscape. We’ll go underground to analyze the soil and recommend improvements and we’ll review specifics on fertilizer types, usage, and benefits.
Sustainable Transportation – This introductory course exposes you to state and local issues that affect transportation planning. You’ll also learn about multi-modal travel option in Knoxville. (3)
Urban Gardening and Our Food Footprint – In this course you’ll begin to think critically about how your food choices affect the environment. We’ll discuss sustainable urban gardening topics, such as soil health and diseases, weeds, and pest identification and control. (2)
Backpacking 101 – Learn skills you need to plan, pack for, and enjoy a weekend in the woods. We’ll cover what you need to know from planning your trip to packing to eating to being first aid ready. (3)
Introduction to Fly-casting & Fly-fishing – This course provides a basic working knowledge of fly-fishing equipment, casting techniques and fly identification. The novice fly-fisherman will be instructed to properly read stream in order to get the most out of each cast. (3)
Edible and Poisonous Fungi of the Smokies – The Smokey Mountains are world-renowned for mushrooms and home to more than 2,000 species. Here’s a chance to learn about the many kinds of mushroom and how to identify them by size, shape and color. We’ll take short hikes and through these field explorations, learn about the habitats for mushrooms, toxicology and the association between fungi and tree roots. (2)
Photography for Naturalists–As naturalists we have the opportunity and desire to how other the many natural wonders that intrigue us. At times we are asked to present our knowledge regarding particular subjects. The next best thing to being in the field is a well-done visual presentation. Photography is an important tool for many naturalists and one worth pursuing both for the presentation of our subjects and for the pure enjoyment of this creative outlet.
Incredible Edible and Traditional Medicinals- 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. Sample delicious wild flavors appropriate to the seasons. The instructor shares the herb-lore from medicine men and granny women while the group searched the woods and fields of this temperate rain forest for its hidden treasures. (3)
SCUBA Diving Certification Class – In this NAUI Scuba Diving course you’ll learn the fundamentals of safe and fun diving, underwater ecology, and the latest in diving equipment. (2)
Landscape Plant Selection for East Tennessee – Poor plant selections for landscapes is a common problem that plagues neighborhoods and, perhaps, even your own house. In this course you’ll discover this growing problem and learn when specific plants are perfect not only for your home but East Tennessee area. (2)
Nature and Travel Photography – In this stimulating course you’ll both discover and capture the beauty of landscapes, wildlife and all aspects of nature. Whether you’re taking a walk through the park or traveling to an exotic jungle or desert, you’ll soon be able to take stunning photographs of the natural world that surrounds us. (2)
Lawn Fertilization & Maintenance – Keeping a green lawn is not easy in East Tennessee but if you plant the right type of grasses and keep them fertilized and maintained. (2)
Fall Wildflowers – A Cades Cove Bounty – What better place to see and enjoy fall lavish display of color than historic Cades Cove? Come join Kris Light, whose passion for nature is contagious and whose experiences and knowledge are unquestionable. We’ll join together in a small group for a delightful drive, stopping as needed to view identify and absorb these autumn beauties.
Freezing Nature’s Bounty – Freezing is one of the easiest, most convenient, and least time-consuming means of preserving foods. During the class, you’ll develop a basic understanding of how freezing affects foods and of the chemical and textural changes that occur during the freezing process.
Tree Selection: Attributes, Issues, & Maintenance – We can’t live without trees. They provide shade, pictorial views, and clean air, and yet we often seem to think of them as expendable or temporary, rather than as the kings of the forest. A correctly placed and cared-for tree should last for generations, adding invaluable green canopy to our dwindling urban forest.
Home Landscape Design & Installation – A well-designed landscape can complement your home’s architecture and make your yard more attractive by adding color, texture, and fragrance. In this course we’ll discuss all aspects and home landscape design, including the design process, planning process, and installation process each with emphasis on practicality and low maintenance. (2)
Two Night Backpack Loop Adventure – Spend three days backpacking the remote Tremont Valley region while taking in the sights and honing your outdoor skills.
Pruning: Art and Science – Whether you need to prune, trim, shear, chop, or saw, you should know a few methods that’ll keep you from butchering, maiming whacking, ordisfiguringyou valuable plants. In this course we’ll demonstrate various forms of pruning to ensure continued plant health and beauty. (2)
Overnight Backpacking: Big South Fork – Join us for backpacking at one of our local state parks. We’ll spend the day hiking and taking in the spectacular views of waterfalls and quiet woods, and we’ll enjoy a night out under the stars at the top of a mountain.
Fall Nature Photography – Learn techniques for designing photographs of combined subjects such as landscape, waterscapes, and fall color.
Mt. LeConte Hike and Overnight in the Lodge – What better way to experience the beauty of the Smokies than through a hike and overnight stay at LeConte Lodge? (3)
Winter Tree Identification – Spend a day in the forest and find out how to identify trees and shrubs in the wintertime. We’ll cover the basic ecological requirements of the dominant tree species that make up the forest types of the Smokies.
Advanced Landscape Design – Landscape design is a practice that takes many years to develop into an art form. It also takes an intimate knowledge of many different skills pertaining to landscaping to make a practical, yet visually stimulating landscape.
Elkmont– Transition and Change – Join a retired Smokies ranger and writer on an easy and informative walking tour of one of the most fascinating areas of the Smokies, the Elkmont area. Arguably no other area in the park’s 800 square miles has experienced as much transition from one use to another as Elkmont.
Exploring the Night Sky – Learn to navigate the heavens with binoculars and telescopes, observing galaxies, globular and open clusters, star-forming regions, planets, and Earth’s moon. We’ll glimpse the future of our manned space program as well as the unmanned robotic exploration of our solar system.
Cheese: Seminar from Emmi Roth – Join Emmi Roth Corporate Chef Evan Topel and explore how cheese is made, what foods and beverages to pair with Roth cheeses and the differences among types of cheese.
Hiking – Just Getting Started – Learn from a pro the proper clothing to wear and necessary gear for beginning hikers. Time will be spent on trip planning details, and then you’ll hike to see some of the wonders that lie ahead with proper planning and gear. The instructor brings knowledge, experience, and enthusiasm to make for an exciting day of learning valuable skills and useful outdoor techniques.
Backyard Birding Basics – Studying birds can open up a new world of outdoor exploration. That hands-on workshop will take you into the field to learn more about the practice of birding as well as how to identify common bird species.
Animal Tracking and Nature Observation – Tracking is an ancient survival skill, but it can open up a whole new world to the inquiring mind. Tracking is a focus that enables us to be more aware, to experiences, and to see much more of the natural landscape. We don’t need to see the animals to tell that they were there, what they were doing, and when they might come back; we’ll learn their stories from the traces they have left behind.
Polliwogs, Eggs, and Singing Frogs – Visit various ponds in Cades Cove and help find Spotted Salamander and Wood Frog eggs, tadpoles, and salamanders. We’ll discuss amphibian biology, ecology, and research throughout the afternoon.
Learning About Fermented Foods – Long art human history, fermentation has increased in popularity in recent years. Through the fermentation process, foods such as yogurt, sauerkraut, and vegetables can be processed in the home kitchen. This course will conclude with a hands on fermentation lab where you’ll preserve sauerkraut and a relish product.
Spring Wildflower and Nature Photography – Want to develop your technical and visual skills in nature photography? We concentrate on the two main subjects of spring photography in the Smokies: wildflowers and landscapes.
Wilderness Wildflowers – Marvels of Spring – There is no greater sight to behold than the rainbow of colors from spring’s emerging wildflowers found in the Smokies. Learn in a small group setting some of the most common species that define many of the Park’s slopes.
Residential Landscape Renovation – Your landscape should be an extension of your home, an outdoor getaway where you can relax and enjoy the beautiful sights and sounds of your garden. If your landscape has outlived its design, you can get time and money-saving tips from a professional landscape designer and renovator in this handy course.
Birding in the Smokies– Join two fellow birders for a day of field observation and discovery of common birdlife in the Smokies. As we seek familiar and elusive species, we’ll ponder on the best binoculars, field guides and calls, and song CDs as we add to our “Life List”.
Low Acid Canning – The University of Tennessee Extension and the UT Culinary Institute are pleased to announce this course to help with canning foods safely at home.
Waterfeatures, Gardens, and Fountains – Through this intensive workshop you’ll discover the soothing sounds and visual interest created by water features and learn what water features will work for your landscape design, lifestyle, and budget. We’ll also discuss planning, installation, maintenance, costs, plants and suppliers.
Introduction to Tree Identification – On several short walks in various elevations and habitats, you’ll learn methods of identifying trees in the field. Time is spent learning hot use summer keys along with photographs to identify tree species using readily observed traits of their bark, twigs, and leaves
Vertebrate Zoology – Join us for a fascinating look at the world of zoology; the scientific study of animals. In this camp you’ll explore the biology and diversity of vertebrates as well as the incredible variation in feeding, locomotion, appearance, and habitats of fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.
Ferns, Wildflower, and Ecological Relationships in Roan Mountain – Join us for the flame azalea bloom and the start of the mountain rosebay rhododendron bloom. We’ll focus on flora but also discuss geology, balds restoration, and Roan’s unique Alder bald.
Snakes Alive! Hands-On Herpetology- In this exciting camp you’ll study reptiles and amphibians, including where they live, their unique characteristics and their behavioral patterns. We’ll also explore scenarios for the future of these fascinating creatures, such as problems of predation, over-hunting, and habitat destruction.
The Light Show in the Smokies- We’ll visit the Elkmont area of the park in the evening in order to learn about the history of the area and the natural cycle of the synchronous fireflies.
Foraging for Food and Farmacy– Spend a day discovering how to identify plants and trees Native Americans and early settlers used for dye, food, medicine, crafts, and other items of daily life. Sample delicious wild flavors appropriate of the seasons. (3)