A Letter from the CEO
This fall, I celebrated my fifth anniversary at Tremont. When I think about those early days, I had little idea what would be in store, yet I was hopeful. Since that time, we’ve experienced tremendous change. Not only did we navigate the uncertainty of the pandemic, but we expanded our work to serve our mission in new ways to new audiences.
Today, our world faces numerous challenges- climate change, loss of critical habitat and extinction, societal and political unrest, and devastating violence. Yet, I’ve continued to carry hope, believing that a better future is possible despite the difficulties we face. I hold hope, recognizing it as a virtue that asks us to take responsibility for our future, the fuel that drives us to make a difference at Tremont.
And what a difference we make! I’ve witnessed people of all ages asking questions about nature, making new observations as they look closely at the edge of a leaf, or seeking to solve a Nature’s Mystery about an unknown object. Through this process, I’ve seen curiosity act as a driving force for enriching people’s lives. I’ve seen how being open to asking questions (and, perhaps more difficult, being vulnerable about not knowing answers) can promote personal growth, empathy, and understanding. When we are curious about each other, we become better listeners and display more compassion. When we are curious about the natural world around us, we become more conscientious stewards of our environment. It is our curious mindset that encourages us to appreciate the interconnectedness of nature and develop a profound sense of responsibility for the well-being of ourselves, others, and our planet.
These days, the hope I carry is no longer just a wishful sentiment. My hope is now grounded in our appreciation for our greatest asset: the people who joyfully make this work possible. My hope is grounded in a steadfast commitment to our mission and our vision for the future. My hope is grounded in paying witness to our positive impact on people’s well-being. And our success this year validates that hope.
This Annual Report is a celebration of the individuals who show up each day hopeful and curious. It is a celebration of the accomplishments of the staff, the volunteers, the donors and supporters, the partners, and the participants who make our work meaningful. Thank you for creating a place of belonging and sharing your joy with others.
Thank you for joining us on this journey.
Catey McClary
President & CEO
Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont
A Letter from the CEO
This fall, I celebrated my fifth anniversary at Tremont. When I think about those early days, I had little idea what would be in store, yet I was hopeful. Since that time, we’ve experienced tremendous change. Not only did we navigate the uncertainty of the pandemic, but we expanded our work to serve our mission in new ways to new audiences.
Today, our world faces numerous challenges- climate change, loss of critical habitat and extinction, societal and political unrest, and devastating violence. Yet, I’ve continued to carry hope, believing that a better future is possible despite the difficulties we face. I hold hope, recognizing it as a virtue that asks us to take responsibility for our future, the fuel that drives us to make a difference at Tremont.
And what a difference we make! I’ve witnessed people of all ages asking questions about nature, making new observations as they look closely at the edge of a leaf, or seeking to solve a Nature’s Mystery about an unknown object. Through this process, I’ve seen curiosity act as a driving force for enriching people’s lives. I’ve seen how being open to asking questions (and, perhaps more difficult, being vulnerable about not knowing answers) can promote personal growth, empathy, and understanding. When we are curious about each other, we become better listeners and display more compassion. When we are curious about the natural world around us, we become more conscientious stewards of our environment. It is our curious mindset that encourages us to appreciate the interconnectedness of nature and develop a profound sense of responsibility for the well-being of ourselves, others, and our planet.
These days, the hope I carry is no longer just a wishful sentiment. My hope is now grounded in our appreciation for our greatest asset: the people who joyfully make this work possible. My hope is grounded in a steadfast commitment to our mission and our vision for the future. My hope is grounded in paying witness to our positive impact on people’s well-being. And our success this year validates that hope.
This Annual Report is a celebration of the individuals who show up each day hopeful and curious. It is a celebration of the accomplishments of the staff, the volunteers, the donors and supporters, the partners, and the participants who make our work meaningful. Thank you for creating a place of belonging and sharing your joy with others.
Thank you for joining us on this journey.
Catey McClary
President & CEO
Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont
Program Highlights
Our 2022-23 fiscal year marked an important return to pre-pandemic enrollment numbers for most of our programs. This return to capacity helps us budget and plan for future program expansion and improvements.
Through a combination of virtual and in-person programming, we were able to reach a wide variety of people from across the US (and beyond!)
Program Highlights
Our 2022-23 fiscal year marked an important return to pre-pandemic enrollment numbers for most of our programs. This return to capacity helps us budget and plan for future program expansion and improvements.
Through a combination of virtual and in-person programming, we were able to reach a wide variety of people from across the US (and beyond!)
1,770
Salamanders investigated by learners of all ages
685
Monarchs tagged during butterfly education days
1,770
Salamanders investigated by learners of all ages
685
Monarchs tagged during butterfly education days
Two friends reunited 50 years after their Tremont experience.
We received Young Professionals of Knoxville’s Develop Award for our work with Knoxville educators.
We talked with Green Teachers Podcast about regenerative education practices that can help teachers become co-learners with their students.
Yo-Yo Ma talked about the importance of connecting with nature while visiting Tremont’s campus during his Our Common Nature tour.
We set a new record on Giving Tuesday 2022, raising over $72,000 in a single day! We streamed content all day to showcase the many facets of Tremont’s work.
Environmental and Community Leaders Fellowship Sparks New Interests in Nature
On March 29, 2023, Fulton High School students hosted “Exploring with the Falcons” at Christenberry Elementary. This after-school event was developed and executed by the high schoolers as part of the Environmental and Community Leaders Fellowship (ECLF), a two-year program with Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont. ECLF participants developed the concept, determined the structure of the event, raised funds to cover activity costs, and created promotional materials and prizes for the elementary students. Throughout the planning process, they worked with Tremont’s naturalists, education staff, development department, and marketing department. Read more.
Environmental and Community Leaders Fellowship Sparks New Interests in Nature
On March 29, 2023, Fulton High School students hosted “Exploring with the Falcons” at Christenberry Elementary. This after-school event was developed and executed by the high schoolers as part of the Environmental and Community Leaders Fellowship (ECLF), a two-year program with Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont. ECLF participants developed the concept, determined the structure of the event, raised funds to cover activity costs, and created promotional materials and prizes for the elementary students. Throughout the planning process, they worked with Tremont’s naturalists, education staff, development department, and marketing department. Read more.
Virtual Naturalist Week Participation Doubled
During our second-ever virtual Naturalist Week, we saw a 100+% increase in people reporting that they were using our prompts to connect with nature in their communities. Throughout the week, we encouraged people to earn 25 points in Level Up Challenge by exploring their surroundings (check out the challenge prompts), and hosted livestreams and activities to help spark curiosity, wherever our audience was.
A few Naturalist Week highlights:
- 56 individuals completed the Level Up Challenge, earning a total of 2,088 points – an average of 37 points per person.
- Virtual Naturalist Week participants came from 13 states and ranged in age from 5 to 77 years old.
- On The Big Day, people shared over 800 observations from across seven states and two countries.
Tremont Visitors Center at a Glance
Taking Steps Toward the Future:
Tremont’s Second Campus
At Tremont, we envision a future where people are more connected to nature – and we’re building a second campus that makes these connections happen.
In 2019, we purchased 194 acres adjacent to Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Townsend, Tennessee. The land contains both open meadow and wooded backcountry habitats. In November 2022, we were awarded $250,000 from Tennessee Valley Authority’s Connected Communities Pilot Program to support the development of Tremont’s second campus. With these funds, we completed a detailed engineering design to build a regenerative education center that not only expands our program capacity, but demonstrates a better future for all people.
Phase One of building includes:
- A central gathering building that includes classrooms, a conference space, a commercial kitchen, and a dining hall for 100 people.
- Two dorms with four rooms that sleep 8 (full occupancy of 64 people)
- Two dorms with six rooms that sleep 2 (full occupancy of 24 people)
- Multipurpose open-air structures including a pavilion and Council House
- Maintenance shop
- Staff housing, including the adaptive reuse of an existing brick home
- Parking, roads, electric vehicle charging stations
- Land improvements for agriculture, forest farming, and recreation
- Water treatment infrastructure for storm and wastewater systems
Taking Steps Toward the Future:
Tremont’s Second Campus
At Tremont, we envision a future where people are more connected to nature – and we’re building a second campus that makes these connections happen.
In 2019, we purchased 194 acres adjacent to Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Townsend, Tennessee. The land contains both open meadow and wooded backcountry habitats. In November 2022, we were awarded $250,000 from Tennessee Valley Authority’s Connected Communities Pilot Program to support the development of Tremont’s second campus. With these funds, we completed a detailed engineering design to build a regenerative education center that not only expands our program capacity, but demonstrates a better future for all people.
Phase One of building includes:
- A central gathering building that includes classrooms, a conference space, a commercial kitchen, and a dining hall for 100 people.
- Two dorms with four rooms that sleep 8 (full occupancy of 64 people)
- Two dorms with six rooms that sleep 2 (full occupancy of 24 people)
- Multipurpose open-air structures including a pavilion and Council House
- Maintenance shop
- Staff housing, including the adaptive reuse of an existing brick home
- Parking, roads, electric vehicle charging stations
- Land improvements for agriculture, forest farming, and recreation
- Water treatment infrastructure for storm and wastewater systems
2022-23 Financials
The financial results depicted are derived from Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont unaudited financial statements from July 31, 2023. Audited statements will be posted when available.
Revenue Sources
| Program Fees | $1,637,676.00 |
| Donations & Grant Income | $969,838.45 |
| Investment Income | $324,237.03 |
| Gift Store Net Sales | $94,743.43 |
| Other Revenue | $16,288.85 |
| Total Support and Revenue | $3,043,783.76 |
Expenses
| Programs | $1,300,928.28 |
| General & Administration | $1,157,683.43 |
| Fundraising & Development | $283,182.01 |
| Total Expenses | $2,741,793.72 |
Celebrating the Life
of Dick Ray
Dick Ray (August 14, 1930 – April 25, 2023) was an intrepid and dedicated supporter of Tremont, from his time as a founding board member until his passing in 2023. We are thankful for his service over the years, his commitment to the vision of Tremont’s future, and his clear love for East Tennessee and the Smokies. In this video, Senator Lamar Alexander reflects on Dick’s impact. Make a gift to Tremont in Dick Ray’s honor.
Celebrating the Life
of Dick Ray
Dick Ray (August 14, 1930 – April 25, 2023) was an intrepid and dedicated supporter of Tremont, from his time as a founding board member until his passing in 2023. We are thankful for his service over the years, his commitment to the vision of Tremont’s future, and his clear love for East Tennessee and the Smokies. In this video, Senator Lamar Alexander reflects on Dick’s impact. Make a gift to Tremont in Dick Ray’s honor.
Thanks to David Bryant, Rich Bryant, Pete Crowley, Nathan Haun, Grayson Shelor, Logan Rosenberg, Erin Rosolina, Annie Roth, WATE, and the Tremont Archives for providing photos, videos, and audio for this report.
