Friends of the Smokies Podcast

In this episode of the Friends of the Smokies Podcast, Dana interviews Bob Miller, the former spokesperson for Great Smoky Mountains National Park, who shares his experiences and stories from over two decades in the role. The conversation highlights memorable characters, the impact of Dolly Parton, community involvement, and the challenges faced in preserving the park's legacy.

Dana is joined by Kim DeLozier, retired wildlife biologist, author, and park ranger who spent decades working for Great Smoky Mountains National Park. They discuss Kim’s experiences with wildlife and conservation efforts in the park. This episode covers topics; such as bear reintroduction, bear behavior, challenges of coexisting with bears, the impact of human behavior on bear populations, some of the more humorous side of Kim’s time with the park, and how Friends of the Smokies helps the park keep track of the bears.

Dana is joined by Joe Yarkovich, a Wildlife Biologist with Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and self-proclaimed “Elkspert”. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the return of elk to the park. The episode covers the history of elk in the area, the reintroduction project, community support, monitoring efforts, and the behavior of the elk. Dana and Joe also touch on how to safely view elk and the personal experience of working in the Smokies and coming across these magnificent creatures. It also touches on the impact of elk on the local community and the importance of partnerships in elk conservation.

Today's conversation with Gary Wade delves into the rich story of the Smokies, highlighting its ancient mountains, biodiversity, and cultural significance. It then explores the formation of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, detailing the impact of the logging industry, grassroots efforts, and the creation of the park. Finally, it discusses Gary Wade's involvement with Friends of the Smokies, including the organizations founding, fundraising efforts, and the license plate program.