Greetings!
To say that many hands make light work is an understatement when it comes to the Friends of Virgin Islands National Park. In fact, we have seen many helping hands make our mission a reality time and time again!
Friends hosted the 18th Annual Beach to Beach Power Swim on Sunday, May 30th. This incredible open-water race was made possible - and successful - thanks to over 150 volunteers. From the St. John Rescue team and volunteers on land, to the 30 safety paddlers and 10 boat captains out on the water, the Power Swim truly demonstrates St. John's community spirit!
Every week from November to May, trail crew volunteers help maintain the park's 27 miles of trails, clear historical ruins, help with native plant restoration, and assist the park archeology team! It is hot, sweaty work but they show up with a smile. In the season that just ended, well over 200 volunteers logged some 4,000 hours! Thank you doesn't come close to showing our appreciation!
Heading into the summer we will once again rely on volunteers to lend a hand! The Youth Summer trail crew will hit the beaten path to learn about trail maintenance, summer campers will join our Learn to Swim classes, and dozens of volunteers will learn to tread lightly along our shorelines looking for sea turtle tracks, and their gentle nests.
Our mission becomes a reality with members and supporters like you who engage, participate, and enliven our programs in the park. Thank you! Please keep in touch over your summer months and look forward to our upcoming 2021-2022 season announcements, including our Annual Gala held the first Saturday of February each year.
Warmly,
Tonia Lovejoy, Acting Director
