Spring 2007
Dear Friend:
As summer approaches and we begin to make our vacation plans, many of us
will be visiting our nation’s national parks; camping, hiking, and taking part
in other outdoor activities within the parks. The Friends of Virgin Islands
National Park is also gearing up for a busy summer, as we continue to
implement new events, and projects/programs worth more than $400,000 approved
by our board of directors last fall.
- Again this summer, Friends will sponsor a trail crew of young
conservationists from the Student Conservation Association (SCA). A crew of
six local Virgin Islands students between the ages of 18 and 21 and two crew
leaders will work together with the National Park Service maintenance
department, to repair/restore miles of hiking trails to prevent erosion and
loss of wildlife habitat.
- In June, students and professors from Syracuse University will be on
island to work with park archeologist Ken Wild. The group will be collecting
global positioning satellite information on historic structures located in
the park. This information will be stored in a global information system
database being developed, and will create a “map” that inventories the
natural and cultural assets within the park
- Eco-Camps for local VI children returns for
its ninth year. The Friends, along with VIERS (Virgin Islands Environmental Research
Station)/Clean Islands International will host camps over the course of
summer. In partnership with local and national corporations, we will provide
more than 100 local VI children with the opportunity to attend camp for three days in
the VI National Park. The purpose of the camps is plant the seed of
responsible environmental stewardship, by teaching campers at a young age, the
basics of marine and terrestrial eco-systems, and particularly, about the very
special environment in which they live and will need to protect in years to
come.
While VI National Park is no longer on the list of “Ten Most Endangered
Parks”, threats to our park’s natural and cultural resources persist. VI
National Park relies on the Friends to help confront these threats and provide
for special natural resource protection projects and cultural programs to keep
our park healthy, strong, and moving forward. The Friends are committed to
continuing support for the unique programs, advocacy and environmental
education efforts that make the Virgin Islands National Park a model of
resource protection and cultural preservation.
Together, we are a powerful force with great resources and energy. Please
consider supporting the Friends with a special gift of $50.00. Now more than
ever, we need to do what it takes to ensure the preservation of this national
treasure for future generations to enjoy. Please visit our website for more information, or call me at 340/779-4940. Again,
thank you for your past support and consideration of this request.
Regards
Joe Kessler
President
jkessler@friendsvinp.org
The generosity of our members and Friends
enables us to carry out our mission. We depend on your donations.
You can make a difference. Friends is pleased to provide a convenient,
secure, on-line donation option. Make a donation using a major credit card. To
make a donation now, please select the on-line donation button below.
If you would prefer, you can mail your
check to:
Friends of VI Nat'l Park, P O Box 811, St John, VI 00831