A Letter from the CEO
As the crisp air settles over Walker Valley, I can’t help but feel thankful for the incredible lessons we’ve received from nature this year and the impact it has had on Tremont. The changing of the seasons reminds us that growth, transformation, and resilience are constants in our lives. Change is inevitable, and as we wrap up 2024 and reflect on the changes we experienced this year, we have a lot to celebrate.
This year has been nothing short of extraordinary for Tremont. The work we’ve accomplished together has left an indelible mark, not just on our campus but on the lives of so many who have joined us in exploring, learning, and growing. I’m thrilled to share a glimpse of these successes with you, and I encourage you to dive deeper into our virtual annual report.
We’ve hosted unforgettable programs like Naturalist Week, Black Kids Adventures, and others, where participants uncovered the wonders of the Smokies through entomology, geology, and even nature-inspired art. These moments of connection with nature spark joy and understanding that linger far beyond the trails.
In our commitment to community, we expanded our outreach, bringing hands-on environmental education to over 1,000 local students and thousands more from our region. Watching young minds light up as they learn to appreciate and protect the world around them fuels our hope for the future.
We’ve hosted workshops to equip teachers to ignite environmental awareness in their classrooms, and we’ve deepened our investigation into the world around us through our community science programs.
We’ve also enriched our dedication to our future by advancing our designs for a Living Building Challenge-certified education center on our second campus. This includes ideas and inspiration from our staff, project team, and visitors, such as graduate students from the University of Tennessee’s Landscape Architecture program. Seeing the vision taking shape through renderings is exciting, giving us a glimpse of our expanded opportunities.
Each of these achievements is a step toward something much greater: a movement to inspire the next generation of environmental stewards and lifelong learners, who will carry forward the values of conservation and wonder. But with growth comes responsibility. As we welcome new audiences, embrace fresh perspectives, and expand our reach, we remain steadfast in our mission to balance progress with preservation.
As we turn the page to a new year, I invite you to reflect on how we can grow together. Perhaps it’s by learning something new, seeing the world through a different lens, or simply stepping outside to reconnect with the beauty around us.
The seasons will continue to change, just as we will. And with your support, Tremont will remain a place where inspiration, connection, and a deep appreciation for the Smokies thrive. Thank you for being part of this journey. Together, we can ensure that the work we do today will echo for generations to come.
With gratitude and hope,
Catey McClary
President & CEO
Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont
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A Letter from the CEO | School Groups | Teacher Professional Development | Environmental and Community Leaders Fellowship | Programming Highlights | Tremont Writers Conference | Community Science | Second Campus Development | Facilities & Operations | Financials | People Who Make it Happen | Show Your Support
A Letter from the CEO
As the crisp air settles over Walker Valley, I can’t help but feel thankful for the incredible lessons we’ve received from nature this year and the impact it has had on Tremont. The changing of the seasons reminds us that growth, transformation, and resilience are constants in our lives. Change is inevitable, and as we wrap up 2024 and reflect on the changes we experienced this year, we have a lot to celebrate.
This year has been nothing short of extraordinary for Tremont. The work we’ve accomplished together has left an indelible mark, not just on our campus but on the lives of so many who have joined us in exploring, learning, and growing. I’m thrilled to share a glimpse of these successes with you, and I encourage you to dive deeper into our virtual annual report.
We’ve hosted unforgettable programs like Naturalist Week, Black Kids Adventures, and others, where participants uncovered the wonders of the Smokies through entomology, geology, and even nature-inspired art. These moments of connection with nature spark joy and understanding that linger far beyond the trails.
In our commitment to community, we expanded our outreach, bringing hands-on environmental education to over 1,000 local students and thousands more from our region. Watching young minds light up as they learn to appreciate and protect the world around them fuels our hope for the future.
We’ve hosted workshops to equip teachers to ignite environmental awareness in their classrooms, and we’ve deepened our investigation into the world around us through our community science programs.
We’ve also enriched our dedication to our future by advancing our designs for a Living Building Challenge-certified education center on our second campus. This includes ideas and inspiration from our staff, project team, and visitors, such as graduate students from the University of Tennessee’s Landscape Architecture program. Seeing the vision taking shape through renderings is exciting, giving us a glimpse of our expanded opportunities.
Each of these achievements is a step toward something much greater: a movement to inspire the next generation of environmental stewards and lifelong learners, who will carry forward the values of conservation and wonder. But with growth comes responsibility. As we welcome new audiences, embrace fresh perspectives, and expand our reach, we remain steadfast in our mission to balance progress with preservation.
As we turn the page to a new year, I invite you to reflect on how we can grow together. Perhaps it’s by learning something new, seeing the world through a different lens, or simply stepping outside to reconnect with the beauty around us.
The seasons will continue to change, just as we will. And with your support, Tremont will remain a place where inspiration, connection, and a deep appreciation for the Smokies thrive. Thank you for being part of this journey. Together, we can ensure that the work we do today will echo for generations to come.
With gratitude and hope,
Catey McClary
President & CEO
Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont
Spreading a Love for Learning
This year, thousands of students immersed themselves in the wonders of the Smokies through our residential school programs—the cornerstone of our work. These transformative experiences connect young learners with the natural world, sparking curiosity and fostering a deeper understanding of science, community, and self.
To expand these opportunities, we launched a new Local School Fund, helping schools from neighboring counties bring their students to Tremont. Together, we’re making outdoor education accessible to more children, one unforgettable trip at a time.
Thanks to Thompson Charitable, Variety of Eastern Tennessee, Axle Logistics, ORNL, and the City of Knoxville for supporting the Local School Fund. Learn more about school trips to Tremont.
Spreading a Love for Learning
This year, thousands of students immersed themselves in the wonders of the Smokies through our residential school programs—the cornerstone of our work. These transformative experiences connect young learners with the natural world, sparking curiosity and fostering a deeper understanding of science, community, and self.
To expand these opportunities, we launched a new Local School Fund, helping schools from neighboring counties bring their students to Tremont. Together, we’re making outdoor education accessible to more children, one unforgettable trip at a time.
Read:
- Full Circle Experience: A Teacher’s Journey from Student to Educator at Tremont
- How We Can Empower Our Local Students Through Access to Outdoor Education Experiences
Thanks to Thompson Charitable, Variety of Eastern Tennessee, Axle Logistics, ORNL, and the City of Knoxville for supporting the Local School Fund. Learn more about school trips to Tremont.
Empowering Educators
At Tremont, we’re known for providing high-quality immersive educational experiences to students in the Smokies. We’re equally committed to supporting teachers in their efforts to inspire and educate their students in their own schools. We strive to equip teachers with the tools and techniques they need to bring inquiry-based learning into their classrooms.
A few highlights from the last year:
- Hosting 197 educators on our Smokies campus for Teacher Escape Weekends
- Building a supportive virtual community of over 680 educators in our Schoolyard Network.
- Selling out registration for Schoolyard Escape, our single-day workshop in a local schoolyard, for the second year in a row.
- We provided a custom professional development session for Kingsport School District librarians, part of our Schoolyard Consultation offerings.
- Offering cooperative teaching options for visiting school groups to enhance the relationship between teachers and students
We’re honored to be able to work with such a talented variety of educators from across the country, and we’re constantly inspired by their creativity, resourcefulness, and dedication to their students.
Thanks to Arconic Foundation for supporting our professional development programs for educators.
Empowering Educators
At Tremont, we’re known for providing high-quality immersive educational experiences to students in the Smokies. We’re equally committed to supporting teachers in their efforts to inspire and educate their students in their own schools. We strive to equip teachers with the tools and techniques they need to bring inquiry-based learning into their classrooms.
A few highlights from the last year:
- Hosting 197 educators on our Smokies campus for Teacher Escape Weekends
- Building a supportive virtual community of over 680 educators in our Schoolyard Network.
- Selling out registration for Schoolyard Escape, our single-day workshop in a local schoolyard, for the second year in a row.
- Providing custom professional development session for Kingsport School District librarians, part of our Schoolyard Consultation offerings.
- Offering cooperative teaching options for visiting school groups to enhance the relationship between teachers and students
We’re honored to be able to work with such a talented variety of educators from across the country, and we’re constantly inspired by their creativity, resourcefulness, and dedication to their students.
Read:
- Exploring the Inquiry Learning Cycle: A Recap from the Schoolyard Network
- Honoring the Work of Outstanding Educators During #TeacherAppreciationWeek
- Taking Teachers Outdoors: Expanding Lesson Plans Far Beyond the Classroom Walls
Thanks to Arconic Foundation for supporting our professional development programs for educators.
Investing in the Next Generation of Community Leaders
The Environmental and Community Leaders Fellowship empowers young adults to become agents of change in their communities. Through hands-on experiences, mentorship, and leadership training, fellows explore environmental challenges and develop solutions that foster resilience and sustainability. This immersive program equips participants with the skills and confidence to make a difference, whether advocating for environmental justice, building community partnerships, or leading innovative initiatives.
By investing in the next generation of leaders, Tremont is cultivating a network of changemakers who will inspire action and create lasting impact in their communities and beyond.
Thanks to Friends of the Smokies, National Park Service, and Lawson Family Foundation for supporting the Environmental and Community Leaders Fellowship.
Investing in the Next Generation of Community Leaders
The Environmental and Community Leaders Fellowship empowers young adults to become agents of change in their communities. Through hands-on experiences, mentorship, and leadership training, fellows explore environmental challenges and develop solutions that foster resilience and sustainability. This immersive program equips participants with the skills and confidence to make a difference, whether advocating for environmental justice, building community partnerships, or leading innovative initiatives.
By investing in the next generation of leaders, Tremont is cultivating a network of changemakers who will inspire action and create lasting impact in their communities and beyond.
Thanks to Friends of the Smokies, National Park Service, and Lawson Family Foundation for supporting the Environmental and Community Leaders Fellowship.
Exploring at All Ages
This year, Tremont welcomed program participants from ages 4 to 92, proving that a love for learning and nature knows no age limits. From the wonder-filled adventures of summer camps for kids to the shared discoveries of family camp, from photography workshops that capture the Smokies’ magic to our naturalist certification program that deepen ecological knowledge, Tremont offers something for everyone.
Exploring at All Ages
This year, Tremont welcomed program participants from ages 4 to 92, proving that a love for learning and nature knows no age limits. From the wonder-filled adventures of summer camps for kids to the shared discoveries of family camp, from photography workshops that capture the Smokies’ magic to our naturalist certification program that deepen ecological knowledge, Tremont offers something for everyone.
Read: Finding Connections to Nature During Tremont’s Virtual Naturalist Week
Finding Inspiration at the Tremont Writers Conference
Tremont hosted its first-ever Writers Conference, a unique program blending creative inspiration with nature exploration in the heart of the Smokies. Over five days, 24 participants engaged with award-winning authors — Pulitzer Prize-winner Richard Powers, Affrilachian poet Frank X Walker, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians novelist Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle, and Horace Kephart biographer Janet McCue — through workshops, craft talks, and outdoor sessions along the Middle Prong. With its setting in the most biodiverse landscape in North America, the conference uniquely bridged storytelling and ecology, offering an interdisciplinary experience that celebrated awe, reflection, and connection.
Finding Inspiration at the Tremont Writers Conference
Tremont hosted its first-ever Writers Conference, a unique program blending creative inspiration with nature exploration in the heart of the Smokies. Over five days, 24 participants engaged with award-winning authors — Pulitzer Prize-winner Richard Powers, Affrilachian poet Frank X Walker, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians novelist Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle, and Horace Kephart biographer Janet McCue — through workshops, craft talks, and outdoor sessions along the Middle Prong. With its setting in the most biodiverse landscape in North America, the conference uniquely bridged storytelling and ecology, offering an interdisciplinary experience that celebrated awe, reflection, and connection.
Investigating through Community Science
At Tremont, community science is not just a program; it’s a cornerstone of our mission to foster connections between people and nature. Through hands-on participation in real research projects, our volunteers not only expand their scientific knowledge but also deepen their bond with the natural world around them. Each observation – each data point – is a testament to their dedication and curiosity.
In 2023, we continued our journey of exploration, with volunteers contributing observations on a wide range of topics, from trees and wildflowers to salamanders and birds. Dive into the 2023 Community Science Report.
Investigating through Community Science
At Tremont, community science is not just a program; it’s a cornerstone of our mission to foster connections between people and nature. Through hands-on participation in real research projects, our volunteers not only expand their scientific knowledge but also deepen their bond with the natural world around them. Each observation – each data point – is a testament to their dedication and curiosity.
In 2023, we continued our journey of exploration, with volunteers contributing observations on a wide range of topics, from trees and wildflowers to salamanders and birds. Dive into the 2023 Community Science Report.
A Second Campus that Connects
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. We’re using this land to build a regenerative education center that not only expands our program capacity, but demonstrates a better future for all people.
Though construction has not begun yet, we are actively learning from the land, welcoming new and creative partnerships, and practicing regenerative land management.
Learn more about our second campus goals:
A Second Campus that Connects
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. We’re using this land to build a regenerative education center that not only expands our program capacity, but demonstrates a better future for all people.
Though construction has not begun yet, we are actively learning from the land, welcoming new and creative partnerships, and practicing regenerative land management.
Learn more about our second campus goals:
Read:
Spotlight on Tremont Operations
Spotlight on Tremont Operations
2023-24 Financials
The financial results depicted are derived from Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont unaudited financial statements from July 31, 2024. Audited statements will be posted when available.
Revenue Sources
| Program Fees | $1,547,899.90 |
| Donations & Grant Income | $1,325,194.37 |
| Investment Income | $484,036.64 |
| Gift Store Net Sales | $92,352.65 |
| Other Revenue | $19,991.42 |
| Total Support and Revenue | $3,469,394.98 |
Expenses
| Programs | $1,410,544.96 |
| General & Administration | $1,201,190.57 |
| Fundraising & Development | $200,514.03 |
| Total Expenses | $2,812,249.56 |
2023-24 Financials
The financial results depicted are derived from Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont unaudited financial statements from July 31, 2024. Audited statements will be posted when available.
Revenue Sources
Program Fees – $1,547,899.90
Donations & Grant Income – $1,325,194.37
Investment Income – $484,036.64
Gift Store Net Sales – $92,352.65
Other Revenue – $19,991.42
Total Support and Revenue – $3,469,394.98
Expenses
Programs – $1,410,544.96
General & Administration – $1,201,190.57
Fundraising & Development – $200,514.03
Total Expenses – $2,812,249.56
Thanks to Frank Barnett, David Bryant, Rich Bryant, Nathan Haun, Hennebery Eddy Architects, Emile Holleman, Environmental and Community Leaders Fellowship participants, Jeremy Johnson, Jug Bay Science Center, Lindsey Kessler, Jeremy Lloyd, ORAU, Erin Rosolina, Sam Rosolina, Annie Roth, Laura Russo, Michele Sons, Tyler Thomas, and Casey Zazzaro for providing photos and videos for this report.
