Blount County, Tennessee — The most popular national park in the United States will gain hundreds more acres thanks to a conservation group.
Last week, the Foothills Land Conservancy announced it had completed its acquisition of the Oliver Tract. This more than 600-acre plot of land is situated near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It got its name from John Oliver (not the late-night show host/ soap opera star), one of the original residents of Cades Cove. The plan is for the conservancy to donate the land to the National Park Service. This multi-year-long effort allows the area to remain open to the public for years to come.
“Projects like this define what land conservation is all about,” said Mark Stevans, executive director of Foothills Land Conservancy. “The opportunity to protect more than 600 acres bordering Great Smoky Mountains National Park is extraordinarily rare. Thanks to the support of our partners, donors and community, this land will remain protected for future generations rather than being lost to development.”
Established in 1934, Great Smoky Mountains National Park protects a key portion of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Some of the natural highlights include the mountain, the Appalachian temperate rainforest, and waterfalls. The national park protects 522,419 acres, which is set to increase to over 523,000 with this acquisition. With over 12 million visitors in 2024, it’s the most visited National Park in the United States. This addition will give more areas for recreationists to explore.
“We appreciate Foothills Land Conservancy’s work to protect this landscape for future generations, preserving its rich cultural history as well as the extraordinary biological diversity that makes this area so unique,” said Charles Sellars, Superintendent of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Founded in 1985, the Foothills Land Conservancy’s goal is to protect land across the Southern Appalachians. Their more than 540 conservation projects have protected over 200,000 acres across the region.
Image Credits: Foothills Land Conservancy, Great Smoky Mountains National Park
