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Dear Tonia,
"In every sunrise, in every wave that touches the shores of the Virgin Islands, there's a story. A story of hope." So begins our Gala video beautifully narrated by former Friends intern, Aariyah Athanase and featuring cultural ambassador and musician, Ital Anthony (pictured).
At Friends of Virgin Islands National Park, we are driven by the belief and hope that every tree we plant, every child we teach to swim, and every hatchling we send off into the world, will gift the joy we feel in this place for years to come. I encourage you to watch the video and join is in celebrating of the richness of the world that is Virgin Islands National Park.
Right now we have an incredible opportunity to increase the power of your giving! One of our members was so inspired by the work of the Friends that he offered $20,000 as a matching gift to inspire others to give back.
This generosity right now is so important to our summer program planning. Please take advantage of this incredibly generous gift and help us make every dollar we raise into two!
February and March are Black History Month and Virgin Islands History Month, respectively. We celebrate the richness of St. John's history and culture and invite you to take a look at some of the resources on our website, join us for a Cinnamon Campground Chat, or visit Annaberg historic site. There is much to learn and experience. In addition, we invite you to join us for the screening of the award-winning documentary on a journey through our parks, "Out There".
Thank you for making a difference and sharing in the joy that this place gifts us all. We have 14,000 newsletter readers and one week to make the $20,000 match. If you have never donated to become a member, make today your day! Your gift will go twice as far. Let's do this for our Park!
Warmly,
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Tonia Lovejoy
Executive Director
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Celebrating Virgin Islands History & Culture | | |
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ANNABERG CULTURAL PROGRAM
Monday to Wednesday | 10am to 2pm
Annaberg is the park's most accessible historic site and a must visit for anyone interested in understanding the history and heritage of St. John. We welcome you to visit with St. John cultural ambassadors demonstrating bread making and local flavors in the old cook house, the plants in the Annaberg gardens including medicinal uses and more.
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ST. JOHN VOICES
On St. John much of the cultural heritage practices, traditions, and arts are deeply connected with the natural resources including the use of local plants and animals and the physical spaces now defined by the park. Here, St.John is an oral history about Virgin Islands National Park and St. John. It serves to give voice to the heritage, culture and natural history as told by born St. Johnians and resident scientists. These stories recall historical details of the people and the natural life of the island that shape this place.
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PASSING IT ON DOCUMENTARY
Passing It On is a record of the inspirational tales told by Virgin Islands culture bearers who have participated in the Folk Life Festival through the years. From learning about the history of the Mocko Jumbie from Mr. Allan “Ysreal” Peterson to the ways in which Ms. Shandis B. Davis’ family Maubi recipe gets passed along, you will be intrigued and inspired!
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CULTURE DAY FOR SCHOOLS
Friday, February 28 | Cruz Bay Playground
Culture Day on St. John for school students continues the 33 year history of Virgin Islands National Park’s Folk Life Festival. This day celebrates and promotes the rich culture of the Virgin Islands every February. St John schools and homeschoolers and St Thomas Fourth Graders are invited to a cultural celebration in the National Park playground in Cruz Bay from 9am to 2pm. If you would like your class to attend, please contact Taylor White at twhite@friendsvinp.org
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"Out There" Documentary Screening | | |
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Friends of Virgin Islands National Park and St. John Film Society
invite you to a screening of the award-winning documentary "Out There" featuring a conversation with director Brendan Hall and live music performance by the film's composer on Saturday, February 22, 2025 at 6pm at St. John School of The Arts.
Refreshments will be served and are Included in the $25 ticket price.
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STORYTELLING IN NATURE AND THE FUTURE OF EXPLORATION
Friday February 21 | 6pm to 7pm | Cinnamon Campground Chat | Raintree Cafe
Join us for a special presentation by guest speaker, Brendan Hall. Brendan is a documentary filmmaker and explorer sharing stories in the natural world and beyond. He is a director, cinematographer, editor, and speaker whose work has connected with audiences across generations. Brendan is a member of the Explorer Club and has done work related to earth, sea and space.
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Explore. Learn. Volunteer. | |
Experience the gifts of Virgin Islands National Park through a series of hikes, seminars, demonstrations, boat trips, and more. Friends hosts hundreds of education and outreach events from October to June. | | |
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FEBRUARY EVENTS
- Annaberg Cultural Demonstrations | Mon to Wed
- Out There Documentary Screening | Feb 22
- Storytelling In Nature | Cinnamon Campground Chat | Feb 21
- Cinnamon Campground Chats | Mon to Fri
- Unique Turtle Boat Excursion | Second Fridays | Feb 14
- Reef Bay Guided Hike | Mon & Tues
- Maho Sea Turtle Info Table | Tues
- Francis Bay Bird Walk | every Fri
- Volunteer Trail Crew | every Tues & Thurs
- Learn To Swim | every Sat
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Power Swim Registration Open | | |
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Registration is open for the 22nd Joe Kessler’s Beach To Beach Power Swim on Sunday, May 25, 2025. One of the most beautiful swims in the world, hundreds of swimmers take to the azure waters of Virgin Islands National Park to raise funds for kids’ swim programs, marine conservation, education outreach and more! Participants choose their distance starting at Maho Bay beach and swimming to Cinnamon, Trunk, or the full 3.5 miles to Hawksnest. Registration closes when capacity is reached so if you are planning on joining us, register today! | |
Scholarship Applications Open | | |
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Friends of Virgin Islands National Park is happy to announce that it is now accepting applications for the 2025/26 academic year for its two undergraduate scholarship programs: the Jeffrey Matheny Scholarship and the Noble Samuel Scholarship and Internship. There are currently nine scholarship students. Both scholarships are open to St. John and St. Thomas youth contingent on meeting scholarship requirements. Applications must be received by Monday, March 24, 2025. | | |
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The Board of Directors of Friends of Virgin Islands National Park ratified the addition of three new Board Members at the organization’s Annual Meeting on Saturday, January 25.
Joining the volunteer Board are Dr. Kim Waddell, Julice Holder, and Adonis Morton. Long-time Directors, Andrew Rutnik and Adrian Davis are stepping down having collectively served on the Board for over 35 years. Both will continue to serve the organization as members of the Honorary Advisory Board.
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Welcomed off boats by moko jumbie and the Love City Pan Dragons, guests at the Friends Annual Gala had fun, danced and, along with supporters from afar, generously contributed some $120,000 to support the protection and preservation of the natural and cultural resources in Virgin Islands National Park! Congratulations to all the winners in our live and silent auctions and raffles! | | |
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Our thanks to everyone who contributed to this important fundraiser including our hosts at Lovango Resort & Beach Club, the boats from Cruz Bay Watersports that got everyone there and back, the talented entertainers, St. John Rescue who stood by just in case, the 25 amazing volunteers who help make things happen, and the numerous individuals and businesses listed on our Gala page who donated items and more to our raffle and auction. We are grateful for our incredible community! | | | | |
