★GPO:1981—341-611/7Reprint 1991
The National Park Service expresses its appreciation to all those persons who made the preparation and production of this handbook possible. The Service also gratefully acknowledges the financial support given this handbook project by the Great Smoky Mountains Natural History Association, a nonprofit group that assists interpretive efforts at Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
All photographs and other artwork not credited below are from the files of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the National Park Service.
As the Nation’s principal conservation agency, the Department of the Interior has responsibility for most of our nationally owned public lands and natural resources. This includes fostering the wisest use of our land and water resources, protecting our fish and wildlife, preserving the environmental and cultural values of our national parks and historical places, and providing for the enjoyment of life through outdoor recreation. The Department assesses our energy and mineral resources and works to assure that their development is in the best interest of all our people. The Department also has a major responsibility for American Indian reservation communities and for people who live in island territories under U.S. administration.