The Southern Appalachians are less than a day’s drive away for one-third of the nation. The wild forests of the Smokies are a home and a livelihood for many local residents who want to keep it that way for generations to come.

Bob's Story

Few families can claim to have deeper roots than those of the Plott family in the Southern Appalachians. Author, conservationist and wood carver Bob Plott still raises Plott hounds, which were first brought to the area by his great, great, great grandfather in 1750.

Scotty's Story

Scotty Bowman and his wife Laura live in an area surrounded by the Appalachian Mountains and Cherokee National Forest in northeastern Tennessee, where they are raising their three children.