Fuels treatments fulfill needs of wildlife and visitors at Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Open grassland creates better habitat for turkeys.

NPS

Over the past three years, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Cherokee National Forest, and the Appalachian-Piedmont-Coastal Fire Management Zone (APC Zone) have worked together to do fuels treatments. Fuels treatments, such as cutting or thinning trees, help reduce buildup of vegetation and materials that can create dangerous environments prone to wildfire. Hazard fuel reduction also supports ecological and cultural resource objectives and goals. This project is one of a suite of management actions used at Great Smoky Mountains to preserve the cultural landscape and ecological character of this unique area in the park.

Nearly 500 acres were mechanically treated by chopping small trees and shrubs into smaller pieces of debris, similar to the process of a chipper.

NPS

Over the course of the project, 477 acres were mechanically treated by chopping small trees and shrubs into smaller pieces of debris, similar to the process of a chipper. These areas have been converted to open grasslands, and in the future will be maintained through less intensive practices, such as prescribed burning and cyclical mowing. The team also completed preparation on six units scheduled to be burned during autumn 2022. Throughout the project, the team took measures to minimize negative impacts to cultural and natural resources and limit the effects on park visitation.

Preserving the historic open character of the land, the park successfully promoted the growth of native meadow grasses and flowering plants, that are rare in the park and support a broad diversity of life.

NPS

Through this work, the partners were able to achieve many additional benefits that protect resources and enhance the visitor experience. While preserving the historic open character of the land, the park successfully promoted the growth of native meadow grasses and flowering plants, that are rare in the park and support a broad diversity of life. At the same time, the public is provided scenic viewing opportunities across the valley floor, which is a highlight for many visitors to Cades Cove. With more than two million visitors a year, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the country’s most visited national park. This project allows the park to accomplish wildland fire protection goals while preserving natural and cultural values for a space beloved by many.

Funding for this project was provided by a National Park Service/U.S. Forest Service Southeast Region Interagency Agreement (NPS/USFS SER IAA) and a generous donation from Friends of the Smokies.