The money will provide training, uniforms and materials for the Elk Bugle Corps and Bike Patrol, a group of Great Smoky Mountains National Park volunteers who offer educational programs in the valley. Last year more than 83,000 people visited Cataloochee.

Volunteers are trained to help park staff with traffic control and visitor safety during high-visitation periods like elk mating season. The volunteers can also provide memorable presentations using elk furs, skulls, scat and antlers.

This is the fifth year the Haywood TDA has funded the program.