The Alcoa Foundation and Alcoa Inc has awarded grants to non-profit organizations that help the Great Smoky Mountains.
The Trails Forever initative by Friends of the Smokies got a $25,000 grant. Trails Forever is working towards funding a third permanent maintenance crew for the park as well training and support for volunteers.
Friends of the Smokies says that more cres are required to adequately keep up the trails. Two crews are currently working in the park, one on the Tennessee side and another crew on the North Carolina side.
This grant will also help cover the cost for the Park’s Teacher-Ranger-Teacher program.
Several other park programs such as the Great Smoky Mountains Institute’s Citizen Science program and the National Parks Conservation Association’s Shuttle pilot program received grant money.
The Citizen Science program offers non-scientists the opportunity to get hands-on expereince with real research programs. The Institute received $20,000 in grant money.
The National Parks Conservation Association received $17,000 for it’s shuttle program that will help cut back on polution due to vehicle traffic in the Cades Cove area.
Tags: Alcoa Foundation, Friends of the Smokies, Great Smoky Mountain, Great Smoky Mountains National Park
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