Great Smoky Mountains Association gives $2 million to the Smokies
The Great Smoky Mountains Association had its best year every for sales and membership in 2016, allowing the organization to contribute more than $2 million in support of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
The donations include the more than $200,000 that GSMA raised following the November wildfires to assist park employees, volunteers and affiliates who lost their homes.
In 2016, the GSMA donated $862,000 toward special projects, $781,000 in in-kind services and $205,000 for park interpretive operations.
Special projects funding covered a long list of endeavors, but highlights include $18,000 for bear collars, $138,000 for resource management and science interns and $50,000 for fence repair and maintenance at Cades Cove. Park interpretive funding provided $51,000 for backcountry information staff, $43,000 for library staff and $36,000 for special events and demonstrations, among other line items.
The $2 million donated in 2016 brings GSMA’s total contribution over its 64-year history to $37.6 million.
