775 Haywood Road, Suite A
Asheville, NC 28806
AL, AR, GA, KY, NC, MS, SC, TN
The parks of the Southeast abound with superlatives. Here you can find the world's longest cave system (Mammoth Cave National Park) and the most visited national park in the country (Great Smoky Mountains National Park). Touring the parks will expose you to Southern Appalachia, one of the most biodiverse regions of the world, while also introducing you to this continent's tragic and triumphant history from Native American heritage, the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, Reconstruction, the Civil Rights movement, and beyond. In a landscape long settled by people, NPCA's Southeast team works to protect the amazing resources of this region's national parks while striving to connect this area's stories and landscapes.
The Southeast staff have won significant, long-fought victories – advocating for 7 years to remove a large Confined Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) from the Buffalo National River’s watershed; working for 6 years, across four congresses, to pass legislation to expand and re-designate the Ocmulgee National Monument as the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park, and fighting for over a decade for a settlement agreement with the Tennessee Valley Authority, resulting in the largest cleanup and retirement of coal-fired power plant units in U.S. history. Read NPCA’s Southeast History Of Impact (PDF).
Southeast Regional Office Field Reports
These field reports provide timely updates and perspectives on issues of interest to our members and supporters in North Carolina, South Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia.
See more ›Building on these successes, current priorities include protecting Cumberland Island National Seashore from a commercial spaceport; exploring sea level rise impacts on our coastal parks and barrier islands; organizing dozens of stakeholders across two states to research and build wildlife connectivity solutions – Safe Passage – to reduce animal-vehicle collisions in the I-40 Pigeon River Gorge corridor adjacent to the Smokies; establishing the Alabama Black Belt National Heritage Area in 19 counties across the state that contain an abundance of natural resources, historical sites, cultural diversity and recreational activities valued by residents and sought by visitors.
Join the Southeast in this rewarding work to protect this region’s unique parks.
Parks and Climate Change
Harsher storms and sea level rise have brought flooding to coastal parks and preserves. NPCA works to bring emergency funding to restore historic and cultural resources and visitor services and advocate for long term adaptation and mitigation solutions. (Photo of Fort Pulaski after Hurricane Irma by NPS)
Field Offices in the Southeast Region
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Asheville Field Office
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- Address:
- 775 Haywood Dr., Suite A, Asheville, North Carolina 28806
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More about the Southeast region
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Read more about No More Hogwash in Buffalo National River
Victory No More Hogwash in Buffalo National River The state of Arkansas is closing an industrial hog farm and will prohibit future large-scale confined animal feeding operations in this protected watershed.
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Read more about Commercial Spaceports Could Threaten Canaveral and Cumberland Island
NPCA at Work Commercial Spaceports Could Threaten Canaveral and Cumberland Island The commercial space industry is an exciting and growing field. But the race for space should not put our national seashores at risk.
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Read more about Congress Fails the Public: Why NPCA Will Continue to Defend Clean, Safe National Park Waters
NPCA at Work Congress Fails the Public: Why NPCA Will Continue to Defend Clean, Safe National Park Waters In February 2017, Congress voted to dismantle the Stream Protection Rule, which would have safeguarded streams from pollution created by mountaintop removal and surface coal mining.
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Read more about Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument Will Preserve Pivotal Sites from America’s Civil Rights History
Victory Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument Will Preserve Pivotal Sites from America’s Civil Rights History In the 1960s, Birmingham, Alabama, was one of the most segregated places in the United States. Nonviolent protesters suffered brutal mistreatment in the struggle for equality and ultimately changed the course of history. Now, a new national monument will help preserve and interpret this critical chapter in the civil rights movement.
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Without the NPS we would have never been able to learn what it's like to slow down and actually live. I support the NPS because they fight for what I believe in even when it's hard and the road ahead looks dark. Stay strong! — Kate
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Read more about 3 Songwriters, 3 Inspiring National Parks
Blog Post 3 Songwriters, 3 Inspiring National Parks Listen to three up-and-coming songwriters perform amid nature on acoustic guitar — in the very national parks that inspired their work.
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Read more about The Lost Colony — An Outer Banks Mystery
Blog Post The Lost Colony — An Outer Banks Mystery On the North Carolina coast, a 400-year-old unanswered question still piques people’s curiosity. What happened to the group of colonists who vanished while trying to start England’s first settlement in North America?
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Read more about Scenes from the ‘New World’
Blog Post Scenes from the ‘New World’ Centuries before Instagram, John White’s drawings were the ‘social media’ that allowed explorers to share new discoveries with people around the globe.
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Read more about Congress Averted an October Shutdown. But What’s Next?
Blog Post Congress Averted an October Shutdown. But What’s Next? National parks are open, thanks to late-night actions by Congress Sept. 30. But parks could face the same situation in mid-November that they just narrowly avoided if long-term funding issues aren’t resolved soon.
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Read more about A Reporter 'On the Brink' at Cape Hatteras
Podcast Episode A Reporter 'On the Brink' at Cape Hatteras Near Cape Hatteras, the rising ocean is causing homes to collapse, creating devastating losses and dangerous conditions. Journalist Melanie D.G. Kaplan shares what she learned while reporting on the crisis.
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Read more about What a Federal Government Shutdown Means for National Parks
Blog Post What a Federal Government Shutdown Means for National Parks If Congress fails to pass appropriations bills by deadline, the federal government will shut down. This puts the National Park Service in the unfortunate but necessary position of having to close its parks — putting family vacations, school trips, park protection and local economies in jeopardy. Here are 10 frequently asked questions.
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Read more about On The Brink
Magazine Article On The Brink What happens when erosion, rising seas, a national park and a beach community collide?
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Read more about Killer on the Road
Magazine Article Killer on the Road Cars helped make national parks America’s most beloved landscapes — and wreaked havoc on wildlife. What will it take to repair the damage?
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Read more about Biden Administration Joins Advocates at Graball Landing for Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument Dedication
Press Release Biden Administration Joins Advocates at Graball Landing for Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument Dedication Emmett Till's murder started a chain reaction, driving everyday Americans across the country to stand and be counted as part of the Civil Rights Movement.
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Read more about 7 Tips for Telling Your Park Story Like a Documentary Photographer
Blog Post 7 Tips for Telling Your Park Story Like a Documentary Photographer We love national park photos, but posed images can’t tell the whole story — especially years later. An award-winning documentary photographer shares how to turn your family adventure into cherished memories.
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Read more about Explore the Smokies
Blog Post Explore the Smokies 8 reasons to add Great Smoky Mountains National Park to your bucket list — from its biodiversity and bluish haze to long human history.
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Read more about On the Road to Freedom: Understanding Civil Rights Through Our National Parks and Heritage Areas
Land Based Trip On the Road to Freedom: Understanding Civil Rights Through Our National Parks and Heritage Areas Join NPCA experts on this remarkable journey through some of the most significant sites associated with American civil rights. Along the way, we will have special opportunities to meet with NPCA partners, local historians and even some of the faithful activists known as foot soldiers who actively played a role in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. Throughout this transformative NPCA small-group tour, we’ll make our way from Birmingham to Memphis, immersing ourselves in the extraordinary stories and culture of this defining period in American history.
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Read more about Memorializing the Truth
Podcast Episode Memorializing the Truth The brutal murder of Emmett Till in 1955 changed the course of history. Acclaimed journalist Christopher Benson has a unique perspective on this story and the importance of preserving it.
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Read more about Regional Haze Pollution in EPA Region 6
Resource Regional Haze Pollution in EPA Region 6 Strong state regional haze plans are critical to restoring clean air and clear skies for treasured places like Carlsbad Caverns, Guadalupe Mountains and Big Bend National Parks, and Caney Creek Wilderness Area. Unfortunately, states in EPA’s Region 6, also known as the South Central region, are failing to adequately cut air pollution impacting these parks and wilderness areas and our communities.
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Read more about Regional Haze Pollution in EPA Region 4
Resource Regional Haze Pollution in EPA Region 4 Strong state regional haze plans are critical to restoring clean air and clear skies to treasured places like Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. Unfortunately, states in the Southeast are failing to adequately cut air pollution impacting these parks and wilderness areas and communities.
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Read more about Research Results and Mitigation Strategies
Report Research Results and Mitigation Strategies to Improve Wildlife Connectivity and Human Safety along I-40 in the Pigeon River Gorge
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Read more about Park for Till: Standing in Places
Video Park for Till: Standing in Places The tragic murder of Emmett Till and the strength and resolve of his mother, Mamie Till-Mobley, catalyzed the modern civil rights movement. A national park site will honor their legacy and ensure that their story is never forgotten.
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Read more about Southeast Region Associate Director & NPS Diversity Lead
Staff Eboni Preston Goddard, PhD Led by a call to action, Eboni is a management professional with a background in non-profit administration, program operations, partnerships, and workforce development.
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Read more about Proposed Alabama Black Belt National Heritage Area
Fact Sheet Proposed Alabama Black Belt National Heritage Area Where the stories are as rich as the land
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Read more about Park Talks
Regional Events Park Talks Join our NPCA community for virtual "Park Talks" to learn about our work and ways you can get involved.
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Read more about Mississippi and Alabama Field Representative
Staff Joshua Jenkins Joshua Jenkins is based in Birmingham, working in Alabama and Mississippi. He is supporting new park campaigns and heritage areas, building deeper connections focusing on the links between parks and community needs/desires.
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Read more about Conservation Biologist
Staff Steven Goodman As our Volgenau Wildlife Fellow, Steve ably lead our wildlife connectivity field research in the Pigeon River Gorge from 2018-2021 and we’re so happy to have him now on the Southeast team permanently.
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Read more about Southeast Regional Office Field Reports
Report Southeast Regional Office Field Reports These field reports provide timely updates and perspectives on issues of interest to our members and supporters in North Carolina, South Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia.
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Read more about Associate Director, Communications
Staff and Media Personnel Kyle Groetzinger Kyle Groetzinger joined NPCA in June 2019 and serves as Associate Director of Communications. He leads communications strategy and media outreach efforts for the Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, Sun Coast, and Texas regions, along with the organization’s cultural resources and future parks teams.
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Read more about 10 Ways to Be a Park Advocate
Resource 10 Ways to Be a Park Advocate Want to be an advocate for parks, but don't know where to start?
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Read more about A Legacy Threatened
Report A Legacy Threatened NPCA's photo book shows the damage to parks caused by the 2017 hurricanes.
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Read more about Diamond in the Rough
Report Diamond in the Rough An Economic Analysis of the Proposed Ocmulgee National Park and Preserve
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Read more about Southern Appalachian Director, Southeast
Staff Jeffrey Hunter Jeff Hunter is the Southern Appalachian Director with National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) in Asheville, NC where he works on issues related to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and the Appalachian National Scenic Trail.
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Read more about Campaign Director
Staff Chris Watson A Campaign Director in the Southeast region, Chris Watson works on landscape connectivity, beyond boundary protection, future parks/park expansions, urban parks and wildlands, and Native American cultural connectedness to the parks.
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Read more about Senior Advisor
Staff Don Barger Don founded the Southeast Regional Office in 1992, and currently serves as an advisor — visiting, loving, and fighting to protect the special parks of this region.
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Read more about Southeast Regional Director
Staff Emily Jones Emily’s work as Southeast Regional Director revolves around building momentum within local communities and garnering congressional support to ensure our national parks become a national priority.
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Read more about Judgment on Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation at Buffalo National River
Report Judgment on Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation at Buffalo National River Judgment on Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation at Buffalo National River
Explore Our Parks
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A–H
- Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park ›
- Andersonville National Historic Site ›
- Andrew Johnson National Historic Site ›
- Arkansas Post National Memorial ›
- Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area ›
- Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument ›
- Blue Ridge Parkway ›
- Brices Cross Roads National Battlefield Site ›
- Buffalo National River ›
- Camp Nelson National Monument ›
- Cape Hatteras National Seashore ›
- Cape Lookout National Seashore ›
- Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site ›
- Charles Pinckney National Historic Site ›
- Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area ›
- Chickamauga And Chattanooga National Military Park ›
- Congaree National Park ›
- Cowpens National Battlefield ›
- Cumberland Gap National Historical Park ›
- Cumberland Island National Seashore ›
- Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument ›
- Fort Donelson National Battlefield ›
- Fort Frederica National Monument ›
- Fort Pulaski National Monument ›
- Fort Raleigh National Historic Site ›
- Fort Smith National Historic Site ›
- Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park ›
- Freedom Riders National Monument ›
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park ›
- Guilford Courthouse National Military Park ›
- Horseshoe Bend National Military Park ›
- Hot Springs National Park ›
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I-O
- Jimmy Carter National Historical Park ›
- Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park ›
- Kings Mountain National Military Park ›
- Little River Canyon National Preserve ›
- Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site ›
- Mammoth Cave National Park ›
- Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park ›
- Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument ›
- Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument ›
- Moores Creek National Battlefield ›
- Natchez National Historical Park ›
- Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail ›
- Natchez Trace Parkway ›
- Ninety Six National Historic Site ›
- Obed Wild & Scenic River ›
- Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park ›
- Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail ›
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P-Z
- Pea Ridge National Military Park ›
- President William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace Home National Historic Site ›
- Reconstruction Era National Historical Park ›
- Russell Cave National Monument ›
- Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail ›
- Shiloh National Military Park ›
- Stones River National Battlefield ›
- Trail of Tears National Historic Trail ›
- Tupelo National Battlefield ›
- Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site ›
- Tuskegee Institute National Historic Site ›
- Vicksburg National Military Park ›
- Wright Brothers National Memorial ›
Preserve Our Parks
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