Last updated: November 15, 2018
Article
Friends Make the Best Partners
In celebration of National Philanthropy Day, Virgin Islands National Park and Coral Reef National Monument would like to recognize Friends of Virgin Islands National Park.
Friends of Virgin Islands National Park was established in 1980, incorporated in 1988 and will be celebrating their 30th anniversary at the end of this year. Because of the 30-year partnership between the Friends and the park, more projects have been completed than we can count with many more to come. Below are just a few highlights of work accomplished through this phenomenal partnership.
Virgin Islands National Park is now almost completely anchorless due to the funding the Friends provided to install more than 300 moorings. This prevents anchors from dragging on the sea floor and damaging fragile corals, sponges, seagrass and ecosystems. Because of the mooring system in popular bays, there has been an increase in seagrass coverage which provides food source for turtles, shelter for small marine creatures and stability for the sand floor.
Every year locals and visitors of all ages experience the history and culture of St. John at the annual Folk Life Festival. They participate in music and dance, enjoy a taste of local foods and learn about traditional cooking methods and crafts. Between the park Interpretation staff and the Friends group, even two category five hurricanes couldn’t stop the Folk Life Festival from happening in February 2018.
One of the longest-running programs of the partnership is the Learn to Swim program, which has taught thousands of local children to swim at Trunk Bay. The Friends are always there with equipment, volunteers and staff to help teach the local children how to swim and therefore to appreciate the underwater environment tied to the islands.
Following the 2017 hurricanes, even with the damage to their offices, the Friends were there to help pick up the pieces. The annual winter season seminars series didn’t happen, but instead informational seminars on hurricane recovery and the natural resources were sponsored by the Friends and held at the park visitor center. https://www.nps.gov/articles/the-state-of-our-reefs.htm
Much of the park, like the rest of the island, suffered considerable damage due to the 2017 hurricanes. Roofs were lost on historic buildings, trails were impassible due to fallen trees, and the much-loved museum was destroyed at Cinnamon Bay. History of the Little White House and Archaeology at Cinnamon Bay
The Friends, as friends do, jumped into the fray to help the park and the island recover and begin the long process of rebuilding.
Cinnamon Bay Oldest House on Island
Left image
Little White House at Cinnamon Bay
Credit: Anne Finney
Right image
Little White House at Cinnamon Bay after Irma
Credit: Anne Finney
What’s next?
After a year of hurricane recovery the Friends are ready to jump into the 2018/2019 season with regular and new programs, events and projects. Below are just a few of what’s in store for this season.
Upcoming Events
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Paddle the Park is happening November 4, 2018.
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Villa For the Park Auction opens November 1, 2018 and closes the 14th. Be sure to get your bid in early!
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Reef Bay Guided Hikes are available February 2019.
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The annual Folk Life Festival will be held at Annaberg in February 2019. Watch for posts on social media leading up to the event.
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Here for a day or a week and want to volunteer? Show up any Tuesday or Thursday morning at the park maintenance yard next to Mongoose Junction and join the walk-up trail volunteer program.
Projects
- Design and construction of new shade pavilions at Maho Bay
- Repairs and improvements to visitor center playground
Historic Preservation
- Repairs to the Leinster Guardhouse
- Rehabilitation of the Francis Factory
- Repairs to the Annaberg bake oven and cookhouse
Research
- Studies on the impact of the hurricanes on local and migrating bird population
- Documentation of the impact of the hurricanes on mangroves and corals in Hurricane Hole
New Programs
- Hands-on masonry training. Local masons will be trained in historic masonry while repairing the Francis Bay Factory.
- Basket weaving. This year, training for basket weaving will be included at the Folk Life Festival.
Links to help you stay up to date with what is happening
Frinds of the Virgin Islands NPS
Virgin islands National Park Calendar