Toyota donated four new Toyota Hybrid Prius vehicles to benefit education and visitor programs in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

The donation was secured by Friends of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Each car has a unique mural on the outside depicting various park resources and programs, including river otters in a natural setting, an historic building, a park ranger conducting educational programs, and park volunteers working with the public.

The Toyota Prius is a hybrid vehicle — a cross between electric and gas powered — that has been lauded for its fuel economy and low emission. The vehicles are valued at $20,763 each, a total donation worth $83,052.

“We are committed to protecting the environment and it is this core value that has led us to donate the hybrid vehicles to help the Park with its air quality issues, and, at the same time, raise awareness that the public has choices,” said Jaycie Chitwood, Toyota’s Senior Strategist, Advanced Technologies Group. A ceremony presenting the cars to the park was held at Clingmans Dome Saturday.

Two of the vehicles will support the “Parks as Classrooms program” that brings park rangers into the schools and students into the park, incorporating the park’s resources into classroom curriculums.

Park rangers driving to schools throughout Western North Carolina will be able to use the new fuel efficient vehicles.

The other two vehicles will be used by volunteers that perform visitor outreach and education, allowing park volunteers to rove the park’s main arteries and assist visitors by answering questions at overlooks, patrolling for litter or help broken down motorists.

“The Park will be able to showcase and educate the public on the low emission technology through these two very high profile programs, the Volunteer Visitor Assistance and Parks as Classrooms programs,” said Park Superintendent Dale Ditmanson.

Founded in 1993, the Friends organization assists the National Park Service by raising funds and public awareness and providing volunteers for needed projects. Friends of the Smokies expects to provide more than $1.4 million this year to support conservation, education, and other park priorities.

“We are very grateful to Toyota for making this generous gift to help the Friends provide the needed equipment to the Park to support their mandate to protect the resources,” said Jim Hart with Friends of the Smokies. “It’s great to be able to team up to help with these important programs, while also encouraging greater awareness and use of solutions to the Park’s air quality problems.”