Traci Holliday Finds Community at Project Chimps

By Luke Shannon

Traci Holliday climbs up the trail, explaining all its different features and who in the community at Project Chimps helped make them happen.

She and many of her fellow volunteers have been key to making this trail happen at all. Only a few years ago, there was no path through this wilderness. Now, there are bridges above creeks, logs on the side of the path and signs to make sure nobody gets lost.

Trailing Off

Most people know Project Chimps for the wonderful primates that call it home, of course. However, there is so much more going on here! There are several colonies of honeybees here too, a garden, and miles of trails that Traci helped create.

There are four trails on campus here: the blue, white, yellow and green (or nature) trails. The blue is shortest and leads people from the parking lot to the main part of campus. Green is the flattest and best for beginners. Yellow and white each extend up to an overlook toward the top of Paris Mountain where hikers can see the chimpanzee habitat. However, white is steeper than yellow, meaning yellow is longer but less challenging.

While Traci has taken a huge role in making that happen, it is not the only thing she does at Project Chimps.

Getting Involved

In 2019, Traci and her husband, Ben, moved from Macon, Georgia, up to the Blue Ridge mountains, where they already had a summer home. At a yoga class fundraiser for PC, Traci heard from Megan Hume about the sanctuary hidden in the mountains. Megan, who was a volunteer at the time, is now a staff member.  

“As soon as I heard about it, I knew I had to volunteer,” Traci said.

After starting in the kitchen in 2019, Traci logged the most hours out of any volunteer there in 2020.

“A lot of volunteers here felt uncomfortable coming in during COVID,” she said. “I checked the schedule and tried to come in when they needed me.”

Branching Out

Traci said that there have been many groups of people who have helped with the trails project. In only a few short years, it has gone from private project to public attraction.

She credits Marty, a fellow volunteer, with laying out and clearing the trail system and constructing the bridges that allow hikers passage over streams. Scouts have come to get badges by adding branches to the side of the trail. This allowed the trail to stay visible under all the leaves that cover it in the fall.

“It’s great because anyone can do anything they’d like to. Everyone has something to contribute,” Traci said about the trail project- and about Project Chimps in general.

Discovering the Trail

The hike to the top of the yellow or white trail is challenging but doable. The elevation of Paris Mountain provides difficult moments, but the volunteers have done well to clear a path and add ‘stairs’ where needed.

Once you arrive at the top, your legs will be tired from the climb. However, the view is well worth it. An overlook by the trail’s summit allows hikers clear viewing of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the distance, and into the chimp habitat below.

Creating Awareness

Traci is more than willing to do anything she can to assist in Project Chimps’ mission. She even goes out of her way to encourage new people to come visit, or volunteer at, the sanctuary.

A lot of people don’t even know we’re up here,” Traci said. “Then, when they find out, they’re like, ‘oh shoot, we gotta go!’”

She said the trails have been a great attraction so far. Her aim was to bring more people to Project Chimps, and she believes they have helped accomplish that. With them recently being listed on ‘alltrails,’ an app for hiking enthusiasts, it is hard to argue. There are still new sections being opened to the public frequently.

5k(ish)

Traci and company are planning the very first Project Chimps 5k (ish) on those trails. They are planning the race for March 26 and will be 2.8 miles long.

The volunteers are making final preparations for the event over the next few months. Roots must be colored for visibility, branches need trimming and the course needs to be maintained perfectly. Traci said that this hasn’t seemed like much of a problem to her fellow volunteers.

“Every time I’m on this trail,” she said, “I feel like it’s a little bit nicer.”

Community at Project Chimps

Finally, Traci spoke about the kind of people she has met here at Project Chimps. She said that she often goes on hikes or out to lunch with her volunteer community.

“When I moved here, I didn’t know anybody. Now I have a large family of friends who love Project Chimps AND hiking!”

Traci is not in every day, but her volunteering makes a difference in the lives of 81 chimps every time she comes in. You, too, can volunteer with the community at Project Chimps, by submitting a volunteer application on the website, or by sending an email to volunteer@projectchimps.org.