Country music icon Dolly Parton died at her home in Nashville on Tuesday, and as many reflect on her life, attention is once again drawn to a cause close to home for her: the growing effects of Earth's warming on Tennessee's Smoky Mountains.
Her comments stand out because they come from a public figure who has often steered clear of political debates, while making clear that caring for the land she loves is deeply personal.
Here's what to know
In a 2022 interview with National Geographic, highlighted by People, Parton urged stronger protections for the Smokies, where she grew up.
"We should pay more attention," Parton said. "We're just mistreating Mother Nature — that's like being ugly to your mama. … We need to take better care of the things that God gave us freely. And that we're so freely messing up."
Although Parton has usually stayed away from partisan clashes, she said in a 2020 interview with USA Today that she prefers not to get involved in politics. "I don't like to get involved in politics, because first of all, I have as many Republican fans as I do Democrats. I don't want to offend anybody."
Asked to describe the area, she told National Geographic, "The Smokies have a heart of their own," saying the water, the sound, and the overall feeling of the place make it uniquely special.
TCD Picks » Quince Spotlight
💡These best-sellers from Quince deliver affordable, sustainable luxury for all
More background
The Smoky Mountains shaped both Parton's life and her creative work, from her Tennessee upbringing to her 1972 song "My Tennessee Mountain Home," which was named one of the state's official songs.
That connection has also shown up in conservation work around Dollywood in Pigeon Forge. Jessica Hall, executive director of the American Eagle Foundation, told National Geographic that Parton's love for the region has helped support wildlife efforts there.
"She is very active in causes that speak to her heart, and the Smoky Mountains where she grew up — that's where her heart is," Hall said of Parton at the time.
Hall said the foundation's efforts have had measurable results: "To date, we've released over 180 bald eagles into the wild in the Smoky Mountains."
She also said, "We feel strongly that we have played a small but important role in the repopulation of the bald eagle species in the South."
Healthy forests and wildlife habitats help support cleaner air, tourism, local jobs, and biodiversity, while climate-driven threats such as wildfires and ecosystem disruption can put communities, animals, and treasured natural spaces at risk.
Parton also often spoke out and stepped in to help during emergencies. People noted that in an Instagram message backing those dealing with fires in communities connected to Dollywood and her hometown, she wrote, "It looks scary on TV, but I'm proud of how everyone in the area has pulled together like they always do."
Throughout her life, Parton set a positive example of caring for the land and communities around you.
Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.
