Guest post by:
Marielle DeJong
Outreach & Development Associate, Friends of the Smokies
828-452-0720 | Marielle@friendsofthesmokies.org
Western North Carolina is blessed with an abundance of public lands. From national forests to scenic parkways, you don’t have to look or travel far to find yourself immersed in the landscapes 
that embody America’s rich natural and cultural heritage. Haywood County holds a unique position as a gateway community to these special places, particularly Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The vibrant beauty of these mountains draws people both near and far—last year 12 million visitors placed the Smokies at the top of the list as America’s most visited national park, and 2016 visitation is expected to be even higher.
Friends of the Smokies supports priority projects within Great Smoky Mountain National Park, like historic preservation, trail restoration, educational programming, and wildlife management. In doing so, our North Carolina office has been lucky enough to establish wonderful relationships with the people, organizations, and businesses of Haywood County. Whether it’s participating in local festivals in Waynesville and Maggie Valley, co-sponsoring events and projects at Blue Ridge Books, or collaborating with the Haywood County TDA to create an educational exhibit for the Visitor Center, Friends of the Smokies is proud to be both a park partner and a member of the Haywood County community.
During this holiday season and time of thanks Friends of the Smokies is very grateful to the many Haywood County community members who play an integral role by dedicating their time and resources in support of the Smokies. Many volunteer at our office located on Main Street in the back of Blue Ridge Books, and some are in the Elk Bugle Corps, which provides information to the public about park wildlife. Others join us for monthly Classic Hikes to experience the outdoors, learn about park history and features, and enjoy getting to know other local Smokies enthusiast.
Friends of the Smokies is an official nonprofit partner of Great Smoky Mountains National Park and has raised more than $53 million to support critical park programs and maintain the Smokies as a crown jewel of the National Park Service. If you would like to learn more and become a Friend of the Smokies we hope you will reach out to us—you can visit our website at FriendsofthSmokies.org, give us a call (828)-452-0720, or stop by!