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Friends Bear Plates Rescued
Celebrate with us Thursday, August 15th
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Legislators' Vote Keeps Bear Plates on NC Roads
All of us at Friends of the Smokies are celebrating the decision by state elected officials in Raleigh to save North Carolina's full-color specialty license plate program. Their action reversed a 2011 bill that would have made the Friends bear plate you see here extinct, along with thousands of colorful tags that benefit wonderful NC places and causes (while supporting tourism promotion & highway beautification, too).
And while we're thrilled that everyone who loves their Friends of the Smokies bear plate can keep taking this little piece of art with them wherever they drive, we're extra grateful that Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) will continue to receive the $400,000 annually ($3.3 million since 1999) that these plates generate to protect important natural resources, wildlife, and unforgettable places.
You may have one of these on your car already, and if you don't, you can get one today and keep it! The Park needs your support now more than ever due to declining federal dollars. Because of the bravery and leadership of many legislators including Senators Tom Apodaca, Ralph Hise, Martin Nesbitt, Andrew Brock, Ron Rabin, Bill Rabon, Kathy Harringotn, and Pete Brunstetter and Representatives Sarah Stevens, Henry Warren, John Torbett, Frank Iler, Bill Brawley, Deborah Conrad and others, anyone can buy or renew a plate, show their colors, and support GSMNP.
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Look how happy the NC legislators made our License Plate Champ Holly Demuth (Friends North Carolina Director) |
For further detail, read our full press release about the bear plate rescue here
For news coverage in the Asheville Citizen Times, click here
And speaking of  unforgettable places, did you know that Blue Ridge Country Magazine's 325,000 readers voted GSMNP destinations as the best (like the WHOLE park for Silver Award- Best Beautiful Fall Foliage Spot and Gold Award for Best Scenic Photo Opp)? And it just so happens that funds from our North Carolina bear plates helped make the new Oconaluftee Visitors Center (Platinum Award- Best Visitors Center) museum exhibits a reality.
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We're Breathing Easier Here at Friends
 Come take in the cool, clear mountain air on our next Classic Hike of the Smokies with Danny Bernstein (read Danny's excellent summary of the fight to save NC full-color specialty plates on the National Parks Traveler blog). It's Tuesday, August 20th, and we're heading up to Mt. Sterling fire tower. This strenuous 5.4 mile trail is short but steep, gaining 2000 feet of elevation. So if you're huffing & puffing when you get to the top, you'll be pleased to hear about Friends of the Smokies' contributions to air quality monitoring in GSMNP.
To register for this or any Classic Hike held monthly on the 3rd Tuesday, contact Friends of the Smokies at outreach.nc@friendsofthesmokies.org or 828-452-0720.
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A Toast is In Order
Help us celebrate victory for our bear plates AND Watch the 19th Annual Friends Across the Mountains Telethon AND Learn more about the programs your plate purchase supports in GSMNP
Thursday, August 15th
- Pack's Tavern in Downtown Asheville- Nantahala Brewing Company in Bryson CityThe telethon will be "live" on WLOS-TV in Asheville (and WBIR-TV in Knoxville) beginning at 7:00 p.m. If you're outside the viewing area and unavailable to join us at Pack's or Nantahala Brewing, you can stream the broadcast "live" at wbir.comTo add your gift of support right now for the 19th Annual Friends Across the Mountains Telethon, click below to donate via our secure website  Thanks to you for making a difference in Great Smoky Mountains National Park as a Friend of the Smokies & Thanks to all of Blue Ridge Country Magazine's readers who voted us into Gold Award Status for Best Environmental Organization |
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Friends of Great Smoky Mountains National Park
160 S Main St
Waynesville NC 28786
828.452.0720 |
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