Photo: Kayden Richards / Tsunamis Photography


Greetings!


As you well know, one unique experience in the great outdoors can create a lasting memory, and perhaps even prompt a life-changing shift in perspective.


Here at the Friends, we take that knowledge as a call to action. As each new school year starts, we commit ourselves to bringing as many youth into their Park as possible. We work to get the trails cleared, so that you can enjoy a quiet walk down your favorite trail. We commit ourselves to meeting our Park’s requests, which means raising funds and sharing resources. The start of this season has been no different in that way and we hit the ground running.


Be it the thrill of watching a pelican skim the water looking for fish or the sounds of the forest whispering in your ears, the joys found in our Park are constant reminders of what we strive to protect and preserve. For visitors and residents alike, our Park is a sanctuary, a place to reflect, relax and often restore. For business owners and their families, it is a place of hope with promises of prosperity. At the core of all our hopes and dreams for our Park, is a shared value for what has been protected and preserved. This month, I ask you take some time to give thanks for your National Park here on St. John.


We invite you to attend one of our Cinnamon Campground Chats, learn more about island culture and history from the demonstrators at Annaberg, or join us for a unique snorkeling and boating trip with sea turtle and marine experts as your guides.

 

As we head into the end of 2025, please consider us in your end of year gifting. Your support of Virgin Islands National Park so is important! 


Warmly,

Tonia Lovejoy

Executive Director

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Villas For The Park Registration Open

Register today for our 9th Annual Villas for the Park Auction which will run for two weeks from November 14 to 28, 2025.

 

Spend an amazing vacation and make a difference in one of the fabulous places kindly donated by owners and managers! 


If you are in a position to donate a stay, please contact Jennifer Stone at jstone@friendsvinp.org.

Cinnamon Campground Chats

Monday to Friday | 6PM-7PM | Rain Tree Cafe, Cinnamon Bay Resort & Campground | November to June


  • Monday: Sea Turtle Talk
  • Tuesday: Traditional Arts & Crafts
  • Wednesday: Music of the Caribbean
  • Thursday: Birds Of St. John
  • Friday: Coral Reef Ecosystems

Annaberg Cultural Demonstrations

Monday to Wednesday | 10AM to 2PM | November to June


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. These programs are open to visiting and local public as well as being an integral part of our School Kids In The Park (SKIP) Program.

Francis Bay Bird Walk

Friday | 7:30AM | October to June


Meet at 7:30am at the George Francis factory ruins and join retired park ranger and bird lover, Laurel Brannick as she shares her knowledge about all things feathered on St. John. 


Unique Sea Turtle Snorkel & Boat Trip

Second Friday mornings | Dec 12, Jan 9, Feb 13, Mar 13, Apr 10, May 8



This unique experience is hosted by a sea turtle, coral and marine expert and explores the marine underworld in Virgin Islands National Park. Boat departs from St. Thomas and St. John. 


Trail Crew Volunteering

Tuesdays & Thursdays | mornings | October to May


Volunteer on the walk up trail crew every Tuesday and Thursday through the end of May and help us maintain trails, clear historical sites, plant trees, and remove trash Work locations and meeting times are posted on Mondays on Facebook and instagram.

News From The Park

VISITOR CENTER & PARK STORE CLOSED

The National Park Visitor Center & Park Store in Cruz Bay is currently closed because of the government shutdown. As soon as the federal government reopens, the regular hours will resume: Monday to Thursday from 8:15am to 4pm and on Friday from 8:15am to 1:30pm.

Business Spotlight

Community engagement is key to our ability to protect and preserve our park today and tomorrow. We would not be able to do the important work that keeps our Virgin Islands National Park thriving for visitors and residents alike without the generous support of local businesses.

THE VIBERY

Select Friends merchandise is now available at The Vibery in Red Hook. All proceeds from sales from this pop-up nature station go to Friends. Affinity Partners like The Vibery make all the difference. Please stop by and thank them for their support!


Local businesses interested in their own Friends pop-up nature station, please contact our store manager, Ameir Sprauve at asprauve@friendsvinp.org.

Shop For Good

The National Park Visitor Center & Park Store in Cruz Bay which also houses much of our inventory, is currently closed. During the shutdown, members of our team can be found at a kiosk in Mongoose Junction and limited items can still be purchased online at www.friendsvinp.org. The items below are available. If you would like to check on availability of other products in our store during the shutdown before you place an order, please contact Ameir Sprauve, our store manager at asprauve@friendsvinp.org.


Hooded Rash Guard $55

Junior Ranger Tote $18

Large Green Turtle $25

Useful Numbers

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