GATLINBURG – Discover Life in America will present the The Great Smoky Mountains Salamander Ball in Gatlinburg on Saturday Dec. 12, 6:30 p.m. at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies.

Residents are invited to join the many Great Smoky Mountain National Park supporters and admirers in our celebration of the discovery of life in some of our country’s most biologically diverse mountainous national parks.  The Great Smoky Mountains Salamander Ball is a masquerade ball and fundraiser for Discover Life in America to help celebrate the wondrous biodiversity in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  This event is for adults and children of all ages! 
 
The All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory or ATBI is a unique ecological undertaking to find and document every species of life in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, from ferns and fungi to birds and beetles.   The effort began in 1998 and is serving as a model for efforts to document the diversity of life throughout the nation—at other National Parks, State Parks, and in other preserves, large and small.  To date over 900 species have been identified that are new to science and over 6,400 species have been identified that are new records for the Smokies.

 
Live Music by the Johnson Swingtet
A Smokies’ Salamander beauty padgent
Hors D’oeuvres and Beverages
An aquarium scavenger hunt
A unique live auction
Kid’s area with games and crafts
 
For a more detailed schedule; registration forms; or to volunteer…see conference info (schedules, times, special events) at www.dlia.org  Questions and/or to register for the conference, please contact Heather MacCulloch, at Discover Life in America, 865-430-4756 or e-mail at heather@dlia.org.