Written by: Emily Huffstetler
The Great Smoky Mountains continues to be the most-visited national park, welcoming over 13 million visitors in 2023. This immense popularity can strain the environment and wildlife. Fortunately, you can reduce your footprint by supporting these local nonprofits.
Appalachian Bear Rescue
In the past decade, an average of 339 negative human-bear encounters have been reported annually. Bears that have become comfortable around humans often have to be euthanized, leaving their cubs and yearlings orphaned.
Appalachian Bear Rescue cares for these orphaned cubs and yearlings, as well as injured bears, until they are ready to return to the wild. Their methods are research-based, and they share their findings with the scientific community. Since 1996, ABR has cared for nearly 300 bears, providing updates about each of them to their 200k+ followers on Facebook.
To reduce the number of orphaned bears, ABR increases public awareness about coexisting with black bears. Their Visitor and Education Center offers classes on every aspect of black bear life.
To volunteer, request an application from the Volunteer Coordinator. You can also support ABR by making a donation on their website or purchasing gifts from their Amazon wish list.
Friends of the Smokies
Friends of Great Smoky Mountains National Park assists the National Park Service in preserving and protecting the park by raising funds, increasing public awareness and providing volunteers for essential projects.
The organization hosts several special events throughout the year, including the Cades Cove Loop Lope, the only organized footrace held inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This year’s 8th annual race will take place on Sunday, November 10, featuring a 10-mile course and a 5K. Last year’s race sold out with 750 participants from 27 states, so register soon to secure your spot.
Another eagerly anticipated event is Plein Air in the Smokies, which brings 20 nationally acclaimed artists to paint “en plein air” (outdoors) throughout the national park. These one-of-a-kind paintings will be available for sale at a Collectors Soirée on Sept. 27th in Downtown Knoxville at Regas Square Events. You can purchase soiree tickets or view the schedule of events on their website.
If you’d like to volunteer for Friends of the Smokies, you can also fill out an application detailing your skills and interests. The organization will contact you as opportunities arise.
Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont
The Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont partners with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to deliver experiential learning for youth, educators and adults. Their programs promote self-discovery, critical thinking, and effective teaching and leadership, connecting people with nature for over 50 years.
They post volunteer opportunities, ranging from data entry to adopting and monitoring a salamander stream, on their website. If you don’t see a fitting opportunity listed, you can sign up for their volunteer newsletter to be notified as new positions open.
Volunteer opportunities at the Tremont Institute range from data entry to adopting and monitoring a salamander stream. If you don’t find a suitable opportunity listed, you can sign up for their volunteer newsletter to be notified as new positions open.
To support the Tremont Institute financially, you can make a donation on their website, link your Kroger Plus Card to the organization, order a book from their wish list for their library, or purchase something from their gift store.
There are also several ways to financially support the Tremont Institute. You can take a traditional approach and make a donation on their website. Other options include linking your Kroger Plus Card to the organization, ordering a book from their wish list for their library or purchasing something from their gift store.
Keep Blount Beautiful
Based in the foothills of the Smokies, Keep Blount Beautiful is an award-winning nonprofit that works in litter prevention, waste reduction, beautification and environmental education. To support their mission, you can participate in a community cleanup or recycling collection event, or donate on their website.
Whether you’re just passing through or a local resident, supporting environmental nonprofits can help preserve the beauty and biodiversity of the Peaceful Side.
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Born and raised in Maryville, Tennessee, with roots tracing back to Cades Cove, Emily Huffstetler is a proud Maryville College graduate and passionate storyteller of the Greater Smokies region.
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