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HEIGHTSGreat Smoky

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Great Smoky

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such great

How Beauty was Formed

How Beauty was

Formed

Featured Article:

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WARHours and Facilities 4

Staff and Offices 5

Activities 6

How Beauty was Formed 7

Getting By In WInter 10

Synchronous Fireflies 12

The National Park Service commemorates a defining event in our nation’s history and its legacy in the fight for civil rights. Join us at

events across the country.

Daily from February 4, 2012 to March 02, 2012The Art of J. Kim Sessums: Vicksburg National Mili-tary Park. The art work of J. Kim Sessums will be on display at the Vicksburg National Military Park Visitor

Center during Black History Month 2012.

Daily from May 24, 2011 to May 30, 2015The War Came By Train: Baltimore & Ohio Railroad

Museum, Baltimore, MD. This exhibit will include the largest assemblage of Civil War railroad equipment

in the world, and a narrated train ride to the original site of Camp Carroll, the largest Union encampment

in Baltimore.

Daily from May 24, 2011 to April 30, 2015 Florida in the Civil War: Museum of Florida His-

tory, Tallahassee, FL. This permanent exhibit shows the different perspectives of the War including the

Northern perspective, the Southern perspective, the African American perspective, and the home front.

June 1, 2012A New Birth of Freedom: Reflections on the Civil

War, New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park. A series of performances, lectures, and discussions

of a time that changed our nation.

June 8, 2012Civil War Conversation: Museum of the Confederacy. Appomattox Appomattox. Lunchtime conversation about various Civil War topics that are often linked

to the 150th anniversary of the Civil War.

June 8, 2012Know Your Park: The Civil War on Roanoke Island: Fort Raleigh National Historic Site. Know Your Park: The Civil War on Roanoke Island, Presentation will

be given Civil War Historian Drew Pullen.

HEIGHTSsuch great

Great Smoky Our Staff & Offices Hours and Facilities

Cades Cove Visitor CenterOpen every day except Christmas Day.January 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.February 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.March 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.April – August 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.September – October 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.November 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.December 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Location: Inside the park near the mid–point of the 11–mile, one–way Cades Cove Loop Road.Special Programs: Ranger–led programs are conducted seasonally. Check at the visitor center for times.Exhibits: Indoor and outdoor exhibits of South-ern Mountain life and culture, includes Cable Mill, a grist mill which operates spring through fall, the Becky Cable house, and other historic structures.Additional Facilities: Great Smoky Mountains Association bookstore and shop. Public rest-rooms.

Oconaluftee Visitor CenterOpen every day except Christmas DayJanuary – February 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.March 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.April – May 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.June – August 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.September – October 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.November 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.December 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Location: Inside the park, 2 miles north of Cherokee, NC, on US–441.Special Programs: Ranger–led programs con-ducted seasonally. Check at the visitor center for location and times.Exhibits: Visitor center museum exhibits tell the story of life in these mountains from native Americans and early European settlement time periods through the Civilian Conservation Corp and the development of the national park. The adjacent Mountain Farm Museum contains a fascinating collection of log structures including a farmhouse, barn, smokehouse, applehouse, corn cribs and others. Demonstrations of farm life are conducted seasonally.Additional Facilities: Great Smoky Moun-tains Association bookstore and shop. Public restrooms and telephones. Soda and water machines. Backcountry permit station.

Sugarlands Visitor CenterOpen every day except Christmas Day.January – February 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.March 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.April – May 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.June – August 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.September – October 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.November 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.December 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Location: Inside the park, 2 miles south of Gatlinburg on US–441.Special Programs: Ranger–led programs con-ducted seasonally. Check at the visitor center for locations and times.

Exhibits: Free admission to 20–minute film about the park. Extensive natural history exhibits.Additional Facilities: Great Smoky Moun-tains Association bookstore and shop. Public restrooms and telephones. Soda and water machines. Backcountry permit station.

Clingmans Dome Visitor Contact StationApril – October 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.November 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Location: At the Clingmans Dome trailhead, 7 miles off US–441 on the Clingmans Dome Road.Additional Facilities: Great Smoky Mountains Association bookstore and shop. Park informa-tion. Public restrooms in parking area.

Historic Grist Mills and Cable Mill in Cades CoveOpen March 12 through the Sunday following Thanksgiving 9:00–5:00Location: Inside the park near the mid–point of the 11–mile, one–way Cades Cove Loop Road.Exhibits: Water–powered grist mill.

Mingus Mill near OconalufteeOpen March 12 through the Sunday following Thanksgiving 9:00–5:00Location: Inside the park, 2 miles north of Cherokee, NC, on US 441.Exhibits: Turbine–powered grist mill.mation. The new passes were effective January 1, 2007. Contact info

Begin your exploration of the park at a visitor center. Here you can pick up a park map or newspa-per, have your questions answered by a ranger, and purchase books and guides to the park.Four visitor centers are located within the national park at Cades Cove, Oconaluftee, Sugarlands and Clingmans Dome. In addition, four information centers are located outside the park in the communi-ties of Gatlinburg, Sevierville, and Townsend.Two historic grist mills are open seasonally in the park. Both provide demonstrations of corn meal milling.

For information about park events, winter storms, road conditions, and more follow @greatsmokyNPS on Twitter.

Main Park Phone # 435.834.5322Main Park Fax # 435.834.4703

Education Fee Waiver Fax # 435.834.4707

BRCA on FacebookGreat Smoky’s “home” on Facebook gives you the opportu-nity to share your Great Smoky experience with others who “like” our page.

Office of the SuperintendentJeff Bradybaugh, Superintendent

Division of AdministrationDana Courtright, Administrative TechnicianRhea Dearden, Budget TechnicianColleen Goff, Administrative TechnicianRandi Miller, Human Resource SpecialistJulie Newland, Contract SpecialistRick Sawyer, Information Technology Specialist/Tele-phone System OperatorJeff Stock, Program Analyst/Concessions Assistant/Safety Officer

Division of Resource ManagementSean Eagan, Chief of Resource ManagementLaura Schrage, Natural Resource SpecialistSarah Haas, BiologistKim Hyatt, Historic ArchitectDavid Brothwell, Fire Management Specialist

Division of Visitor Management & Resource ProtectionDavid Fireman, Chief RangerDaniel Fagergren, Deputy Chief RangerBecky Orman, Ranger Activities AssistantTyla Guss, Park RangerDavid Hansen, Park RangerVirginia Thiel, Park Ranger/Campground CoordinatorLarry Thrower, Visitor Use Assistant SupervisorKim Barton, Visitor Use Assistant/Fee Waiver AssociateMargaret Decker, Visitor Use AssistantRon Warner, Visitor Use Assistant

Division of InterpretationKathleen Gonder, Chief of Interpretation (acting)/Con-cessions ManagerKevin Poe, Supervisory Interpretive RangerKevin Doxstater, Interpretive RangerJan Stock, Interpretive Ranger

Division of Facility ManagementDan Cloud, Facility ManagerDanita Ferguson, Housing Management Officer/FM As-sistantMaegan Cooper, FMSS ClerkKenny Hall, Project InspectorStan Tuczakov, FMSS SpecialistTom Dearden, Roads & Trails ForemanLeo Chynoweth, Equipment OperatorRalph Goff, Equipment Operator Gordon Pollock, Signs ManagerRoyce Pollock, Equipment OperatorBruce Wayland, Equipment OperatorKelly Shakespear, Historic Preservation SpecialistDale Pollock, Buildings & Utilities ForemanSteve Clark, Maintenance WorkerSteve Beagly, Custodian Phil Davis, Maintenance WorkerChris Kline, ElectricianMoyle Johnson, Maintenance WorkerFrankie Moore, Custodian Thomas Richards, Maintenance WorkerGuy Thompson, Utility Systems Operator

4 5Such Great Heights Such Great Heights

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Fun Activities

Auto Touring: An auto tour of the park offers a chance to see panoramic vistas, rushing mountain streams, weathered historic build-ings, and majestic forests stretching to the horizon. Inexpensive book-lets are available to serve as your personal tour guides along many park roads.Bicycling: Ride through Cades Cove on a misty summer morning for a truly memorable way to experi-ence the park.

Camping: Escape into the Smok-ies wilderness for a backpacking adventure or opt for a tamer excur-sion in one of the park’s developed campgrounds.Fishing: Anglers can match their skills against wily brook, brown, and rainbow trout on over 700 miles of fishable streams in the park.Hiking: Choose from over 800 miles of trails ranging from quiet walkways to multi-day backpacking treks through the backcountry.

Historic Buildings: The park has one of the best collections of log buildings in the eastern United States. Nearly 80 historic structures-homes, barns, churches, schools, and grist mills-have been preserved in the park.Horseback Riding: The park has hundreds of miles of horse trails and five drive-in horse camps. If you don’t own a horse, four rental stables provide mounts and guides.

Many Activities in the Great Smoky MountainsWhether you delight in the challenge of a strenuous hike to the crest of a mountain or prefer to sit quietly and watch the sun set, Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers a myriad of activities for you to enjoy. The hardest part may be choosing which auto tour, trail, waterfall, over-look, or historic area to explore!

Spring and Summer 2012 Ranger Led ProgramsEvent Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

Blacksmith Demonstra-tionsMeet at Cades Cove

11 am & 2 pmIron Forge

11 am & 2 pmIron Forge

11 am & 2 pmIron Forge

11 am & 2 pmIron Forge

Kids’ Work-shopMeet at Ogle Cabin

10:30 amToymaking

10:30 amToymaking

10:30 amToymaking

Left Hand TunnelMeet at Natu-ral Entrance

11:30 amStream Splashers

11:30 amSlimy Salaman-ders

11:30 amStream Splashers

11:30 amSlimy Salaman-ders

11:30 amStream Splash-ers

11:30 amSlimy Salaman-ders

For KidsMeet at Visitor Center

2 pmBear-mania!

2 pmWild Things

2 pmBear-mania!

2 pmWild Things

2 pmWild Things

2 pmBear-mania!

Sunset StrollMeet at Natu-ral Entrance

7:30 pmAll about Bats

2:30 pmAll about Bats

2:30 pmAll about Bats

2:30 pmAll about Bats

2:30 pmAll about Bats

Evening AMeet at Visitor Center

8:30 pmEvening Campfire Program

8:30 pmEvening Campfire Program

8:30 pmEvening Camp-fire Program

Evening BMeet at Visitor Center

8:30 pmJunior Ranger Night Hike

8:30 pmJunior Ranger Night Hike

8:30 pmJunior Ranger Night Hike

7Such Great Heightswww.nps.gov6 Such Great Heights

The Geology that Formed the Smokies

Most of the rocks in Great Smoky Mountains National Park are sedimentary and were formed by accumulations of clay, silt, sand, gravel, and minor amounts of calcium carbonate in flat-lying layers. The oldest sedimentary rocks were formed during the Proterozoic Era some 800-545 mil-lion years ago. Vast amounts of unconsolidated clay, silt, sand, and pebbles were washed down into lowland basins from adjacent highlands. Rocks of the old highlands were over one billion years old, and were similar to the ancient granite and gneiss found in the southeastern parts of the park. These early sites of ocean bottom deposition were formed along the ancient margin of the North American continent as an older and larger supercontinent broke apart.

As more and more of these sediments were deposited, they were eventually cemented together and changed into layers of rock over nine miles thick. Today these rocks are known as the Ocoee Supergroup and are subdivided into many smaller divisions of differing rock types. The differ-

ent rock types reflect the range of climatic and topograph-ic conditions that existed during their formation.

The younger rocks of sedimentary origin formed dur-ing the Paleozoic Era, 450 to about 545 million years ago. These consist of compacted and cemented sand, silt, and clay deposited in an ancient shallow marine continen-tal margin that existed in what is now the Appalachian region. Rocks become metamorphosed when they are sub-jected to heat and pressure, usually related to mountain building. Metamorphosed sandstone, siltstone, and shale, are most common in the park. However, metamorphosed limestone and dolomite are found in the Anakeesta Forma-tion and unmetamorphosed limestone and dolomite are found on the floor of Cades Cove, below the Great Smoky fault. Burrows and trails of worms, as well as small shells of crustaceans that lived in this shallow water along the ancient continental edge, are found in sandstone and shale in the northwestern part of the park. Fossils found in (limestone rocks in Cades Cove are about 450 million years old.)

Rocks become metamorphosed when they are subjected to heat and pressure, usually related to mountain building. Metamorphosed sandstone, siltstone, and shale, are most

How Beauty Was Formedby Elton John

www.nps.gov8 Such Great Heights 9Such Great Heightswww.nps.gov

common in the park. However, metamorphosed lime-stone and dolomite are found in the Anakeesta Forma-tion and unmetamorphosed limestone and dolomite are found on the floor of Cades Cove, below the Great Smoky fault. Most of the rocks in Great Smoky Moun-tains National Park are sedimentary and were formed by accumulations of clay, silt, sand, gravel, and minor amounts of calcium carbonate in flat-lying layers. The oldest sedimentary rocks were formed during the Proterozoic Era some 800-545 million years ago. Vast amounts of unconsolidated clay, silt, sand, and pebbles were washed down into lowland basins from adja-cent highlands. Rocks of the old highlands were over one billion years old, and were similar to the ancient granite and gneiss found in the southeastern parts of the park. These early sites of ocean bottom deposition were formed along the ancient margin of the North American continent as an older and larger superconti-nent broke apart.

As more and more of these sediments were depos-ited, they were eventually cemented together and changed into layers of rock over nine miles thick. Today these rocks are known as the Ocoee Super-group and are subdivided into many smaller divisions of differing rock types. The different rock types reflect the range of climatic and topographic conditions that existed during their formation.

The younger rocks of sedimentary origin formed during the Paleozoic Era, 450 Rocks become meta-morphosed when they are subjected to heat and pressure, usually related to mountain building. Metamorphosed sandstone, siltstone, and shale, are most common in the park. However, metamorphosed limestone and dolomite are found in the Anakeesta Formation and unmetamorphosed limestone and dolomite are found on the floor of Cades Cove, below the Great Smoky fault. to about 545 million years ago. These consist of compacted and cemented sand, silt, and clay deposited in an ancient shallow marine continental margin that existed in what is now the Appalachian region. Burrows and trails of worms, as well as small shells of crustaceans that lived in this shallow water along the ancient continental edge, are found in sandstone and shale in the northwestern part of the park. Foss

Mountain BuildingBetween about 310 and 245 million years ago, the

eastern edge of the North American tectonic plate col-lided with the African tectonic plate becoming part of a “supercontinent” known as Pangaea. Continental col-lisions take place at a rate of a few inches per year over many millions of years and are the result of continuing global-scale plate tectonics. Evidence of earlier plate tectonic geologic events are found in rocks of the Great Smoky Mountains, attesting to an incredibly long and active geologic history in this area. During one of these earlier continental collisions, tremendous pressures and heat were generated, which changed or “metamor-phosed” the Smokies sedimentary rocks. For example, sandstone became recrystallized to metasandstone or quartzite, and shale became slate.

The last great episode of mountain building up-lifted the entire Appalachian mountain chain from Newfound-land, Canada to Alabama. These mountains probably were much higher than today, with elevations

Plate TectonicsThe earth’s outer crust is composed of huge, continen-

tal-size plates, driven by heat from below, that continu-ally shift position. These moving plates grind past one another, collide into one another, and sometimes over-ride one anoth Rocks become metamorphosed when they are subjected to heat and pressure, usually related to mountain building. Metamorphosed sandstone, silt-stone, and shale, are most common in the park. How-ever, metamorphosed limestone and dolomite are found in the Anakeesta Formation and unmetamorphosed limestone and dolomite are found on the floor of Cades Cove, below the Great Smoky fault. er. Also, where plate margins are separating or spreading apart, molten rock forces its way to the surface, solidifies and forms new crust. Plate movement is just a few inches a year, but throughout geologic time, this movement and the result-ing plate interactions have caused devastating earth-quakes, spectacular volcanoes, and the uplift of high mountain chains. The great thickness, variety, and distri-bution of rocks in Great Smoky Mountains National Park tell a fascinating story of continental-size plate tectonics spanning more than a billion years of earth history.

The RocksMetamorphosed sedimentary rocks are the dominant

rock types in the park, but some igneous rocks also oc-cur. Sedimentary rocks form through a cycle of erosion and deposition mostly in water. The eroded materials include cobbles, pebbles, sand, silt, and clay, or the ac-cumulatio Rocks become metamorphosed when they are subjected to heat and pressure, usually related to mountain building. Metamorphosed sandstone, silt-stone, and shale, are most common in the park. How-ever, metamorphosed limestone and dolomite are found in the Anakeesta Formation and unmetamorphosed limestone and dolomite are found on the floor of Cades Cove, below the Great Smoky fault. ns of shells from ancient sea animals. Igneous rocks solidify from melted rock or lava.

Rocks become metamorphosed when they are sub-jected to heat and pressure, usually related to mountain building. Metamorphosed sandstone, siltstone, and shale, are most common in the park. However, meta-morphosed limestone and dolomite are found in the Anakeesta Formation and unmetamorphosed limestone and dolomite are found on the floor of Cades Cove, be-low the Great Smoky fault.

Sedimentary rocks form through a cycle of erosion and deposition mostly in water. The eroded materials include cobbles, pebbles, sand, silt, and clay, or the accumulations of shells from ancient sea animals. Igneous rocks solidify from melted rock or lava.

Cabin FeverThe

homes of mid-19th century farm fami-lies were small, while the families themselves were often large. The typical log home was 18’ x 20’ (360 square feet) plus, perhaps, a sleeping loft. Families were fre-quently multi-generational, including a grandpar-ent and five to 12 kids.

During periods of cold, snowy, or rainy weather, families were forced to spend most of the day

indoors. Dorie Woodruff Cope, who spent her childhood and young adulthood in the Smok-ies, described winter this way:

“So we waited. Snow came two or three times a week to add inches to the blanket already on the ground. Silence hung over the mountains like a misty fog.... Wind whis-tled around the corners of the cabin and down the chimney, causing the fire to reach out of the fire-place and fill the room with ashes. Ma kept beans and meat boiling in a kettle.”

Making MusicMountain folk knew lots of songs and enjoyed

singing ballads at home during winter, often solo and unaccompanied by musical instruments. Many of the ballads were from the British Isles and were about love or death, or religious faith. Bal-lads told stories and sometimes included lessons on life. Examples are “The Drunkard’s Last Drink,” “Barbara Allen,” “Pretty Pollie,” “Geordie,” “Young Hunting,” and “Bold Soldier.”

Some residents wrote their own ballads about local places or events, like the tragic train wreck chronicled by “Daddy Bryson’s Last Ride.”

Winter FareMid-1800s Smoky Mountain winter fare was

somewhat lacking in fresh produce, but few com-plained: it was a whole lot better than having noth-ing to eat.

If the crops had been good, the livestock prolific, and the jobs of pickling, drying, salting, and sulfur-ing productive, the typical menu might include:

• lots of corn bread• salted pork• dried green beans• pickled vegetables• chicken• potatoes• chestnuts

• butter• stack cake• sulfured apples• honey• sorghum molasses• squirrel• corn mush

Lessons LearnedWinter days were often school days in the Great

Smoky Mountains of the mid-1800s. Winter was when children were needed the least on the farm, so it was the logical time to hit the books.

In the early days, the school year lasted only 2-4 months. Parents paid about $1 per student per month to get their children educated. The money (or produce in lieu of cash) went to a teacher who often boarded with a local family.

Most students completed only 3-5 years of schooling, enough to learn to read and write and perform basic mathematics. By the early 20th century, however, Smoky wMountain schools and school years more closely resembled today’s.

Two country schools are preserved in the na-tional park. Little Greenbrier School is accessible in winter by the 0.7 mile Metcalf Bottoms Trail which begins at Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area. Beech Grove School is beside the road in Cataloochee Val

Getting By In

Winter

Getting By In

Winter

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Synchronous FirefliesTrolley service between Sugarlands Visitor Center and

Elkmont runs for approximately 10 days in early June each year. The schedule is posted on the website (http://www.nps.gov/grsm/naturescience/fireflies.htm) once it becomes available in April each year. All visitors wishing to view the fireflies during the time that trolleys are running must ride a trolley to Elkmont. No personal vehicles are permitted in Elkmont during the evening hours while trolleys are operat-ing.

Synchronous fireflies (Photinus carolinus) are one of at least 19 species of fireflies that live in Great Smoky Moun-tains National Park. They are the only species in America whose individuals can synchronize their flashing light patterns.

Fireflies (also called lightning bugs) are beetles. They take from one to two years to mature from larvae, but will live as adults for only about 21 days. While in the larval stage, the insects feed on snails and smaller insects. Once they transform into their adult form, they do not eat.

Their light patterns are part of their mating display. Each species of firefly has characteristic flash pattern that helps its male and female individuals recognize each other. Most species produce a greenish-yellow light; one species has a bluish light. The males fly and flash and the usually stationary females respond with a flash. Peak flashing for synchronous fireflies in the park is normally within a two-week period in early to mid-June.

The production of light by living organisms is called bio-luminescence. Fireflies are a good example of an organism that bioluminesces, but there are others as well, such as certain species of fungus, fish, shrimp, jellyfish, plankton, glowworms, gnats, snails, and springtails.

Bioluminescence involves highly efficient chemical reac-tions that result in the release of particles of light with

Photinus Carolinus

12 Such Great Heights 13Such Great Heightswww.nps.gov

Synchronous Fireflies

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What is a Junior Ranger?Are you interested in exploring? Do you like art, science, history or nature? How about animals, sailing ships, dinosaurs or trains? Would you like to learn more about the national parks that belong to you? Did you know you can help protect these special places - even if you never visit them all?

A Junior Ranger Could be YOU!Rather than tying their park experiences only to the scheduled

programs, Junior Ranger Programs are designed to provide par-ticipants with the flexibility to see and interact with the park at

their own pace and within the limits of their own time.

National Parks with Junior Ranger Programs:Many National Parks offer visitors the opportunity to join the National Park Service Family as Junior Rangers. Interest-ed students complete a series of activities during their park

visit, share their answers with a park ranger, and receive an official Junior Ranger badge or patch and Junior Ranger certificate.

BE A JUNIOR RANGER

For more info on how to join go to go to:

www.nps.gov/learn/

little or no emission of heat. Fireflies combine the chemi-cal luciferin and oxygen with the enzyme luciferase in their lanterns (part of their abdomens) to make light. The light produced is referred to as a “cold” light, with nearly 100% of the energy given off as light. In contrast, the energy produced by an incandescent light bulb is approxi-mately 10% light and 90% heat.

No one is sure why the fireflies flash synchronously. Competition between males may be one reason: they all want to be the first to flash. Or perhaps if the males all flash together they have a better chance of being noticed,

and the females can make better comparisons.

The fireflies do not always flash in unison. They may flash in waves across

hillsides, and at other times will flash

randomly. Synchrony occurs in short bursts that end with abrupt periods of darkness.

Timing of the DisplayThe mating season lasts for approximately two weeks

each year. The dates that the fireflies begin to display varies from year to year—scientists haven’t figured out why, but it depends at least in part on temperature and soil moisture. It’s impossible to predict in advance exactly when the insects will begin flashing each year.

As the season begins, a few insects start flashing, then more join the display as the days pass. They reach a “peak” when the greatest number of insects are displaying. After peak, the numbers gradually decline each day until the mating season is over. Since 1993, this peak date has var-

ied from June 3 to June 21.*During the two week long mating season, the quality of

individual nightly displays can be affected by environmen-tal factors. On misty, drippy evenings following rainfall, the insects may not readily display. Cool temperatures, below 50º Fahrenheit, will also shut down the display for the night. Moon phase has been observed to affect the tim-ing of nightly displays—on nights with a bright moon, the insects may begin flashing a bit later than usual.

Light Show EtiquetteFlashlights disrupt the fireflies and im-pair people’s night vision. The light show is best when you:

Cover your flashlight with red or blue cel-lophane.

Use your flashlight only when walking to your viewing spot.

Point your flashlight at the ground.

Turn off your flash-light when you find your viewing spot.

You can also help pro-tect the fireflies and their habitat:

Do not catch the fire-flies.

Stay on the trail at all times.

(Synchronous fireflies produce light in their lan-terns, the pale area of the abdomen visible on the underside of the insect above

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HEIGHTSsuch great