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5777 results for "great smoky mountains"
A volunteer group of retirees is documenting every living species in the Great Smoky Mountains, discovering rare lichens and fungi that scientists didn't know existed in the park. Their work is creating a complete biodiversity inventory while showing how everyday people can contribute to important scientific discoveries.
A volunteer group dubbed GRISLD is quietly documenting every living thing in America's most biodiverse national park, discovering over 1,000 species new to science. Their work matters more than ever as climate change reshapes mountain ecosystems.
When Great Smoky Mountains National Park lost a quarter of its staff, volunteers stepped up to keep America's busiest park running smoothly. Their efforts show how communities can rally to protect the places they love.
A Tennessee National Guard helicopter crew plucked an injured hiker from a remote mountain trail and delivered them to a hospital in just 90 minutes. The swift rescue showcased how elite military teams serve their communities during emergencies.
The beloved Tennessee theme park just made it easier for electric vehicle owners to visit one of America's most popular destinations. Dollywood installed 14 new EV charging stations plus 10 solar-powered charging umbrellas near Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
When 2-year-old Novalee stopped breathing after a seizure, her 87-year-old great-great-grandmother didn't hesitate. Wilma Whitmore's decades as an emergency room nurse kicked in just when her family needed her most.
Scientists at the University of Utah discovered a massive underground freshwater reservoir beneath the Great Salt Lake, fed by thousands of years of mountain snowmelt. The finding could help combat dangerous dust storms while rewriting what we know about groundwater systems.
A sport that combines climbing mountains and skiing downhill just made its Olympic debut in Italy. Ski mountaineering, called "skimo," is the first entirely new Winter Olympics event in over two decades.
Shawnee Mountain turned pink for the 10th year running, rallying the community around cancer survivors and patients. The annual Paint the Mountain Pink fundraiser brought skiers, snowboarders, and supporters together for a cause that's touched countless lives.
A mountain lion that wandered into a Santa Monica residential area was successfully tranquilized and relocated by wildlife experts on Friday, marking a hopeful outcome after a similar 2012 incident ended tragically. The healthy animal will be evaluated and returned to safer habitat, while conservationists work to protect the region's small but resilient mountain lion population.
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Scientists are using stoneflies and tadpoles to monitor Table Mountain's hidden rivers. The ancient mountain works like a giant sponge, slowly filtering water that feeds Cape Town long after the rain stops.
Two unprepared hikers walked away alive after one plunged 400 meters down an icy mountain gully in Poland's Tatra Mountains. Twenty rescuers used drones and thermal imaging to locate and save both men in a dramatic nine-hour nighttime operation.
Rangers at Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable National Park just welcomed a new baby mountain gorilla, marking another win in one of conservation's greatest comeback stories. The global mountain gorilla population has grown from near extinction to over 1,000 individuals today.
A brand new winter sport thrilled nearly sold-out crowds at the 2026 Winter Olympics as ski mountaineering made its historic debut in blizzard conditions. Switzerland and Spain claimed the first-ever gold medals in a sport that combines uphill sprinting, mountain climbing, and downhill skiing into one heart-pounding race.
A young climber combined her lifelong training in classical Indian dance with mountaineering by performing Bharatanatyam at Everest Base Camp as a prayer before her ascent. The deeply personal moment has touched thousands online who saw it as a beautiful blend of art and adventure.
A vanished ocean shaped Central Asia's mountains millions of years ago, long before the Himalayas rose. New research reveals how ancient tectonic forces created dramatic landscapes that dinosaurs once roamed.
Mountain gorillas are making an extraordinary comeback, rebounding from near extinction to over 1,000 individuals. This rare conservation win shows what's possible when science, protection, and community work together.
A cultural gathering in Rajasthan highlighted the conservation success of the Great Indian Bustard, whose population has grown from 100 to 173 birds in 2025. The Durbar event combined traditional crafts with environmental awareness in a historic palace setting.
A 66-year-old hiker who fell on a remote New Hampshire trail was airlifted to safety after spending a night in the mountains. The successful rescue showcases the quick response of emergency teams in challenging terrain.
Researchers discovered a massive freshwater reservoir hiding beneath Utah's shrinking Great Salt Lake, offering unexpected hope as the state faces its worst drought in decades. The ancient water, trapped thousands of feet underground, could help fight toxic dust clouds threatening nearby communities.
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