Find your journey. Then help protect it.

February 2017 - In this Issue of The Scenic:
Photograph by Vicki Dameron

5 Easy Ways to Show Your
Love for the Blue Ridge Parkway

There are places you visit just once, and then there is the Blue Ridge Parkway. It's a destination that keeps you coming back time and time again to relive remarkable experiences and discover new adventures. You can help ensure the Parkway remains the place we all love with these easy and meaningful ways to give back.

Champion a Project:  We work closely with the National Park Service to identify critical needs along the 469-mile route. You can select an initiative from our list that holds a special meaning for you and become a project champion. Simply tell your friends and loved ones about the project and encourage them to give to see it come to fruition.  See our initiatives

Donate: Your gift protects the trails, wildlife, natural habitats, historic sites, and cultural heritage that make the Parkway America's Favorite Journey™. Whether you give once a month or once a year, your contribution makes a lasting impact. You can feel good knowing that 98 cents for every dollar given goes directly to Parkway projects and programs!  Give today

Volunteer: An investment of your time is a fantastic way to support the Parkway. Whether you want to clear a trail, assist concert-goers at the Blue Ridge Music Center, or serve as an ambassador at community events, the Parkway needs you.  Sign up

Make the Parkway Your Legacy: By including the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation in your estate planning, whether through your will, an endowment, or a gift of stock or real estate, you can ensure the Parkway is safeguarded for generations to come.
Learn more

Honor a Loved One: Make a gift in honor or memory of a loved one who also shares a special appreciation for the Parkway. Their name will appear in our  annual report published during the fallGive today
Project Spotlight: Craggy Gardens & Visitor Center

Craggy Visitor Center
Replacing faded images of flora will be just part of the exhibit enhancements at Craggy Gardens Visitor Center .
Craggy Gardens is a fascinating stop on the Blue Ridge Parkway where visitors can admire prolific rhododendron blossoms that surround the heath balds, wildlife, and stellar vistas. Unfortunately, the interpretive exhibits at Craggy Gardens Visitor Center are faded and outdated. The Craggy Flats Bald Trail has also seen better days. Heavy use has taken a toll on the path, leading to erosion and damage to the habitat. You can help. Give today to reach our goal of $26,320 to replace the exhibits and repair the trail. We can do this!

  
  
If you have a Blue Ridge Parkway specialty license plate, be sure to register it with us for a chance to win a two-night stay on the Parkway and a gift card from Mast General Store



You can help make the second annual Denim Ball on Friday, August 4, a success by donating art, jewelry, vacation packages, spa services, dining certificates, and one-of-a-kind experiences, including guided hikes, fly-fishing lessons, rafting adventures, concert tickets, and more. Click here for our donation form.

Road to the Past


A historic photograph juxtaposes the old and new ways visitors reached the pinnacle of Sharp Top Mountain at milepost 86 on the  Blue Ridge Parkway . The wood staircase was used to climb to the top before the completion of the stone steps. To see more historic images and maps, visit  Driving Through Time: The Digital Blue Ridge Parkway .


When you make a donation of $100 or more to the Renew the Views program, you'll receive The Blue Ridge Parkway lithograph by artist Eric Fitzpatrick. The print makes a beautiful and meaningful gift because your contribution will help clear and protect the overlooks along the scenic route. 

Would you like to receive updates on the projects you make possible, plus Parkway happenings, and more? Subscribe to our free semi-annual publication, The Scenic, and our annual report in the mail to stay connected.  Sign up now

Mark your calendar

March 24, 7 p.m.
Charlottesville, Virginia
Come celebrate the life of Joe Wilson during a special reading and concert at the Virginia Festival of the Book at 7 p.m., March 24, at C'ville Coffee in Charlottesville. Editor Fred Bartenstein will read from his new books, Lucky Joe's Namesake and Roots Music in America, which share the writings of Wilson, an instrumental figure in the world of traditional music, including the creation of the Blue Ridge Music Center. Musicians Phil Wiggins, Sammy Shelor, Frank Newsome, and Linda and David Lay will perform in honor of Wilson's life and legacy. The program is free. Learn more
 

Thursday, November 9
Asheville
Mark your calendar for our 20th Anniversary Celebration on November 9 at Biltmore in Asheville. We can't wait to honor individuals and businesses that have shown an outstanding commitment to safeguarding the Parkway. More details to come! 

Weather changes quickly on the Parkway, especially during the winter. Before you set out for an adventure, be sure to check the Real-time Closures Map for weather and construction closures.  You can also check weather conditions and view webcam images of key sites along the Parkway at brpweather.com
Join our Community of Stewards                           

 

As the primary fundraiser and trusted steward of the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Foundation is forever committed to preserving the past, enhancing the present, and safeguarding the future of America's Favorite Journey™. Learn more about joining our Community of Stewards at BRPFoundation.org.

Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation
717 S. Marshall St., Suite 105B
Winston-Salem, NC 27101-5865
(866) 308-2773