The Great Smoky Mountains serve as a living laboratory housing an estimated 100,000 species—many still undiscovered. DLiA's extensive ecological data collection systems have already documented over 22,000 species, creating one of the world's most comprehensive inventories of a single ecosystem.

This meticulously gathered data informs conservation strategies and habitat management decisions, transforming scientific knowledge into practical stewardship. By advising on data collection methodologies and database structure, board members help ensure that this remarkable ecological library remains accessible and actionable for researchers, land managers, and policy makers working to protect these irreplaceable natural systems.

The most valuable aspect of this work lies in fostering collaborative leadership across institutional boundaries. By bringing together scientists, educators, state officials, and community members, DLiA creates conservation approaches that honor both scientific expertise and local ecological knowledge.

These collaborative spaces help develop shared understanding and collective action across the bioregion. Fundraising efforts support citizen science initiatives that expand both research capacity and public engagement with biodiversity protection. Through strategic planning for public outreach, DLiA is expanding the community of citizens actively participating in biodiversity monitoring and conservation.