We are absolutely thrilled to bring you this very special episode all about one of our favorite organizations in the Smokies, Appalachian Bear Rescue in Townsend, Tennessee!

Celebrating 30 years of volunteer-powered bear rescue, ABR is doing incredible work saving orphan cubs, rehabilitating them with minimal human contact, and releasing healthy bears back into Great Smoky Mountains National Park. They truly are the gold standard.

On a beautiful Saturday we were invited on one of their exclusive behind-the-scenes tours (only four small groups were allowed that day, we felt so honored!). We finally got to see the secluded facility where the magic happens, tucked way back in the county so the bears stay wild and never get used to people.

After the tour we sat down right here at our home with the brand-new Executive Director, Greg Greico. What a genuine, passionate guy, perfect for the job! We talked for over an hour about his wild journey into bear work, the history of ABR, why these bears matter so much, and what the future holds.

You’re in for a treat, this one is full of hope, history, and a few “wow” moments.

The Interview Highlights

Greg grew up in Farragut (moved from Queens, NY in 1996), played football at the University of Tennessee, and dreamed of being a pro athlete or doctor. But the mountains kept calling him. He started backpacking solo in the Smokies during football off-weeks (even in the dead of winter!), fell in love with the backcountry, and eventually landed a dream internship with the National Park Service working alongside the legendary Kim DeLozier (yes, the “Bear in the Backseat” guy!).

From there he became a seasonal wildlife tech, catching bears, controlling hogs, monitoring elk in Cataloochee Valley (he was actually the last person to live in the historic Cataloochee Ranger Station before it was condemned because of bats!). In the winter of 2016 he even worked at ABR caring for cubs between seasons.

Today there are at least 1,900 black bears in the Tennessee/North Carolina sides of the park. Greg explained “mast” (the acorns, hickory nuts, and berries bears depend on for winter fat) and how mast failures in the late 1980s created so many starving orphans that a group of volunteers, with strong support from the Park Service, founded ABR in 1996. Since then they’ve rescued and released more than 400 bears.

Bears are the keystone species here. When the bear population is healthy, the whole ecosystem is healthy. And unfortunately more than half of the cubs ABR receives are the result of human-caused conflict, vehicle strikes, mothers euthanized after getting into trouble, etc.

The 2023-2024 Season & Looking Forward

We also talked openly about the difficult “tragedy” and turmoil the organization went through in 2023-2024. Greg stepped up as interim director in June 2024 and was officially named Executive Director in January 2025. He shared the challenges they faced and the exciting plans they have for the future, including getting more cubs in soon and expanding their education and research work to help prevent future conflicts.

How You Can Help Right Now

Mark your calendars!

🎸 Rockin’ for the Rescue
A fundraising concert at Smoky Mountain Harley-Davidson in Maryville this March.
Great music, great cause, come out and support ABR! Get your tickets here.

You can also:

• Visit the ABR Visitor Center & Gift Shop right in Townsend
  • 121 Painted Trillium Way, Townsend, TN 37882
  • Open Monday thru Saturday 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
  • Closed Sunday
• Adopt a cub, become a member, or make a donation at appalachianbearrescue.org.
• Share this episode, the more people who understand how to live responsibly with bears, the fewer orphans we’ll see.

Final Thoughts from Marc & Ann

We left that day with full hearts and a deeper love for these amazing animals and the people who fight for them. Greg is exactly the leader ABR needs right now, and we’re so proud to call him a friend.

If you love the Smokies, you owe it to yourself to learn what Appalachian Bear Rescue is doing. They’re not just saving bears, they’re protecting the wild heart of our mountains.

Mentioned in this Episode

• My Smoky Mountain Guide
• Appalachian Bear Rescue
• Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency
• Kim DeLozier Bear in the Backseat
• Smoky Mountain Harley Davidson

Listen Now

Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Produced by Marc & Ann Bowman

My Smoky Mountain Guide, Helping you make the most of your time in the Smokies
© 2026 | Marc & Ann Bowman | Maryville, Tennessee