Description

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE • U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Great Smoky Mountains National Park is located in The park is situated within a day’s drive of more than half the the Southern Appalachian Mountains and straddles the population of the United States, and more than 9 million visitors border between North Carolina and Tennessee. The park come to the park annually to enjoy its resources. They come encompasses more than 800 square miles and is dominated from local communities, the region, the nation, and from across Foundation Document Overview by ancient mountains, with elevations ranging from 850 the world, making the park one of the most visited national parks feet to 6,643 feet at Clingmans Dome. The park is world- in the country. Hence, the park contributes to the economic Great Smoky Mountains National Park renowned for the diversity of its plant and animal life, vitality of the surrounding communities and the region. beautiful scenery, and the size and integrity of the wilderness North Carolina and Tennessee sanctuary within its boundaries. More than 19,000 species Throughout time, many people have maintained close have been documented in the park. No other area of equal connections to the Great Smoky Mountains. Private citizens, size in a temperate climate can match the park’s diversity civic groups, and even school children, worked tirelessly to raise of plants, animals, and invertebrates. This is evident in funds for land acquisition and establishment of the park. This the park’s status as the core unit of one of America’s few grassroots dedication continues today—the park benefits from International Biosphere Reserves (1988) and its designation one of the largest volunteer cadres in the national park system. as a World Heritage Site (1983). The park also preserves Volunteers and partnerships with public, private, and nonprofit one of the largest collections of historic Appalachian log groups for education, scientific research, and stewardship of structures, and maintains more than 800 miles of trails, park resources are integral to achieving the purpose of Great including a section of the Appalachian Trail. Smoky Mountains National Park.

To Knoxville To Knoxville To Newport

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Little (rental) 129 la 0 1 5 Kilometers a Tennessee h For more information about the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Foundation Document, River ta Historic structure(s) Observation tower n To Atlanta a 0 1 5 Miles N contact: [email protected] or (865) 436-1200 or write to: Superintendent, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 107 Park Headquarters Road, Gatlinburg, TN 37738 Cover photo © Bob Carr. Used by permission. Purpose Significance Fundamental Resources and Values

Significance statements express why Great Smoky Mountains Fundamental resources and values are those features, systems, National Park resources and values are important enough to processes, experiences, stories, scenes, sounds, smells, or merit national park unit designation. Statements of significance other attributes determined to merit primary consideration describe why an area is important within a global, national, during planning and management processes because they are regional, and systemwide context. These statements are linked essential to achieving the purpose of the park and maintaining to the purpose of the park unit, and are supported by data, its significance. research, and consensus. Significance statements describe the distinctive nature of the park and inform management • Air and Water – Sustaining the Health of the Smokies decisions, focusing efforts on preserving and protecting the • A Living Laboratory and Outdoor Classroom most important resources and values of the park unit.

• Close to Home. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is • Ancient Mountain Ecosystems the largest mountainous park east of the Mississippi River • Biodiversity and Science. The Great Smoky Mountains • Backcountry and Wilderness Experiences and is one of the most visited national park units. The park are world-renowned for the diversity of plant and animal Great Smoky Mountains National lies within a day’s drive of more than half the U.S. population species found in the park due to the variety of elevations, • Biodiversity – Wondrous Variety of Life Park preserves a vast expanse of the and thus offers the opportunity for tens of millions of people landforms, climates, and vegetation communities— southern Appalachian Mountains to have a national park experience close to home while also representing forest types such as those that exist from • Connections ecosystem including its scenic beauty, drawing visitors from around the world. North Georgia to Maine. Old growth, ancient forests, extraordinary diversity of natural outstanding natural waters, and rare species found only in • Enduring Cultural Ties to the Land • Scenic Qualities. The Great Smoky Mountains exhibit the resources, and rich human history, the park are some of the unique natural attributes of the finest example of the ruggedness, magnitude, height, and scenic • Journeys and provides opportunities for the park. This makes it an exemplary outdoor laboratory for the grandeur of the southern Appalachian Mountains, including enjoyment and inspiration of present study of and education about the ecosystem processes of 16 peaks over 6,000 feet. Visitors are drawn to a variety of park • Partnerships, Volunteerism, and Stewardship the southern Appalachian Mountains. And consequently, and future generations. features, including waterfalls, historic landscapes, panoramic the park is one of the most researched in the national • Scenic Beauty mountain vistas, and the changing of the seasons. park system.

• Vestiges of Human History. Humans have lived in and around the park for more than 9,000 years. The park preserves a significant number of archeological sites, historic structures, and other vestiges of human interaction with the land. The time periods represented by these resources include American Indian, Appalachian mountain settlement, and early National Park Service / Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) eras.

• Philanthropy and Stewardship. The park was established through the efforts of private philanthropists, local residents, and community leaders. The park was stitched together through the sacrifices of families from North Carolina and Tennessee whose private lands were acquired to create a new kind of “National Park in the East.” Their connections to the land endure and are demonstrated by strong advocacy and stewardship of the park today.