| The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a | | | | fiscal year 2008. |
| wonderful way for visitors to experience the | | | | As a result of these plans, visitors staying in |
| unspoiled natural beauty of the area. The park is | | | | Smoky Mountain cabin rentals should see |
| within easy reach many Smoky Mountain cabin | | | | increased populations of brook trout and elk. |
| rentals and boasts a variety of activities for all | | | | Other projects focus on protecting the area |
| members of the family. | | | | against dangers ranging from airborne mercury |
| The park has more to offer than ever before as | | | | pollution to invasive nonnative plants such as |
| they implement a host of new projects in | | | | hemlock woolly adelgid. |
| preparation for the National Park Service's 2016 | | | | The park has implemented many educational |
| Centennial Initiative. | | | | initiatives as well. Audio and video podcasts teach |
| Nearly 100 Years of Protected Resources | | | | visitors about the native flora and fauna. |
| The National Park Service got its start in 1916 | | | | Programs such as Parks as Classrooms and |
| and, as it approaches the centennial, an effort is | | | | Student Conservation Association internships will |
| underway to prepare the parks for another | | | | be expanded. Exhibits at the Sugarlands Visitor |
| century of preservation. In 2006 the National Park | | | | Center are being renovated while new exhibits will |
| Centennial Initiative was launched with the goal of | | | | be available at the planned Oconaluftee Visitor |
| involving park administrators, citizens, and | | | | Center. |
| conservation experts in a massive project to | | | | Breathtaking Scenery a Short Drive from Smoky |
| improve the nation's already stunning array of | | | | Mountain Cabin Rentals |
| protected lands. | | | | Our national park system has always been a |
| In 2008 alone, over $50 million has been invested | | | | world leader in conservation and recreation, and |
| in 76 of our parks. This money is earmarked to | | | | this new initiative is making a great system even |
| improve educational opportunities, recruit and train | | | | better. |
| a new generation of park employees, promote | | | | With all the activities available in nearby towns like |
| environmentally friendly park operation as an | | | | Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, visitors shouldn't |
| inspiration to the rest of the country, and | | | | forget the stunning natural beauty available |
| improve recreational opportunities for park | | | | nearby. Visit the park and enjoy hiking, fishing, |
| visitors. | | | | picnicking, or just sitting back and letting your |
| New Projects at Great Smoky Mountains National | | | | troubles melt away when faced with the majesty |
| Park | | | | of nature. |
| This is the busiest national park in the nation, | | | | If you are considering cabin rentals for your |
| getting over 8 million visitors a year. The staff at | | | | vacation, be sure to reserve some time to visit |
| Great Smoky Mountains National Park drafted a | | | | this park. Take a bicycle tour, stop and smell the |
| range of strategies to meet the goals of the | | | | wildflowers, or visit one of the nearly 80 historic |
| initiative and have had 13 projects approved for | | | | log structures in the area. |
