Because of You…
Six Interns explore a future in conservation Page 1
Parkway bears are better protected Page 3
Trail Crew project comes to life Page 4
Autumn 2014
High Vistas Journal The newsletter for members of FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway
Rattlesnakes, Canal Boats and Bears, Oh My! Blue Ridge Parkway Interns thank you for ‘The Summer of a Lifetime!’ and tell how your generosity has changed their lives and shaped their futures.
T
hanks to your donations, FRIENDS was able to fund six Blue Ridge Parkway internships this year. The interns spent twelve weeks of their summer producing digital content such as a video on bear safety, maintaining the Parkway’s social media pages to increase online presence and awareness, creating
L-R: Casey Jenkins, University of Tampa; Jillian Cullen, State University of New York - Potsdam; Gabbi Romero, University of New Mexico; Callie Reuland, Indiana University; Rhakia Alcarez, California State University Channel Islands; Not pictured: Claree James, University of Arkansas Pine Bluff.
interpretive podcasts and educating visitors at the Blue Ridge Music Center. The summer of 2014 is one these young people will never forget - from spending a day on a replica canal boat at the James River Bateaux Festival, to rattlesnake handling training, to picking fresh blueberries at Graveyard Fields.
Thank you for supporting the Parkway Intern Program which cultivates our next generation of park stewards!
H
ere’s what some of our interns had to say:
Rhakia Alcarez, Anthropology major at California State University - Channel Islands “I have a stronger connection Continued on page 2 >>
FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway uses your donations wisely. See how on page 4
Adopt-A-Cemetery Program
✔✔ Members of the Roanoke Valley Chapter repaired and installed new fencing this summer for the Wilson Cemetery.
Continued from page 1
with the land now, a different land. It has made me realize that there isn’t just one type of ecosystem that I have to conserve; there are many.”
✔✔ Maintenance and data collection is underway for 70 Parkway cemeteries.
200 Overlooks Adopted 200 of the Parkway’s 269 overlooks are adopted! Thank you members and volunteers for your work to keep these overlooks clean and beautiful!
Thank You Parkway Volunteers for your Stewardship on the Parkway The number of people volunteering for the Parkway has increased greater than 36% since 2009 2,500
Gabbi Romero, University of New Mexico “Overall, I am hoping to explore potential careers not only with the Park Service, but with different agencies as well so that I can spread stewardship to future generations.”
2,258
2,000 1,750
1,876
1,500
1,948
1,614 1,424
1,000 2009 2
Claree James, University of Arkansas - Pine Bluff “Working in the (Parkway Headquarters) office gives you a behind the scenes look at all the hard work that goes into preserving and protecting the Parkway. ... I have grown to LOVE the Blue Ridge Parkway as if I had been here all of my life.”
Annual # of Volunteers on the Blue Ridge Parkway
2,250
1,250
Callie Reuland, Biology major at Indiana University “This internship was a great learning experience for me in how to be a more independent person and it ... has showed me that I might want to work as a park biologist.”
2010
2011
2012
2013
ity e opportun th ) (R e re la abbi (L) & C rvation. You gave G re in conse tu fu a re lo to exp
FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway
Keeping Bears Wild A simple metal box can keep you and bears safe from harm by G. Tom Davis, National Park Service Blue Ridge Parkway Resource Specialist
B
ears will eat anything that is available to them. In a single day, a bear might stop to nibble on ripe berries, roll over a log and devour the insects underneath, and even scavenge a dead deer carcass. They follow their nose from one food source to another which often leads them to Parkway campgrounds and picnic areas. Allowed access to human food and garbage, bears learn to associate people with food and become “food conditioned.” These bears lose their natural fear of humans and a dangerous cycle begins. ‘Food conditioned’ bears learn that if they approach people they will get food. If a bear becomes aggressive or poses a serious
threat, the bear must be euthanized. Fortunately, the solution is not complicated. Secure food, coolers, drinks, water bottles, stoves/grills, cooking utensils, pet food and bowls, and even toiletry items in the trunks of vehicles or a bear-proof food storage locker. Nearly 40% of bear incidents that occur each year along the Parkway FRIENDS Ash happen in Mt. Pisgah. eville Chapte r volunteers w b a se ork to build s fo r the bear-proo The Park and FRIENDS f food lockers that your of the Blue Ridge donations pro vided. Parkway’s Asheville Chapter, have installed food every Mt. Pisgah campsite. storage lockers at Mt. Pisgah. Together, we can keep But, we still need 75 lockers to Parkway bears wild and safe. provide storage facilities for
Hooray! New Bear Lockers!
NEW FRIENDS WEBSITE Coming Soon! What would YOU like to see on the new site? Email your suggestions to Staff@FriendsBRP.org
Create a Blue Ridge Parkway Legacy Help FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway Provide Projects and Programs on the Parkway for Many Generations It’s easy! Donate your old car, life insurance, assets, retirement accounts or a bequest through your Will. Give FRIENDS a solid foundation for continuous Parkway support and programs well into the future. Contact Brooke Nunley at 540.772.2992 or email Staff@FriendsBRP.org www.FriendsBRP.org
3
Become a Trail Crew Member Join the “boots on the ground”
T
hank you for helping FRIENDS establish a Blue Ridge Parkway Trail Crew Program! The trail crews consist of a network of regional leaders in trail construction and maintenance who can train and assist with overlook and trail volunteers. The Trail Crew Program provides equipment, training - such as chainsaw safety certification, and hosts trail days and hikes to engage and inspire youth volunteers to become the next generation of trail stewards.
There are 350 + miles of trails on the Blue Ridge Parkway. These 5 trails need your help today!
1 Otter Creek Trail 2 Sharp Top Trail 3 Roanoke Valley Horse Trail 4 Rock Castle Gorge National Recreational Trail 5 Doughton Park Trails
How to
HELP
l Adopt a trail. l Join a trail crew through your local
FRIENDS Chapter. l Donate trail maintenance equipment.
If you want to become a trail crew member or would like more information, please contact Fernando Gracia at 540.772.2992 or Fernando_Gracia@FriendsBRP.org
FRIENDS invests wisely 1.3%
1%
Fundraising
Administration 1
97.7%
2 3
Parkway Programs & Volunteer Services
Greater than 97% of every dollar contributed goes toward preserving, protecting and enhancing the Parkway you love.
You’re Invited
Join Us For Conversation & Dinner! FRIENDS of the BRP’s Annual Meeting, Reception and Dinner with Parkway Superintendent, Mark Woods Thursday, November 6, 2014 Sheraton Hotel & Conference Center Roanoke, Virginia For details and to register, email Staff@FriendsBRP.org or call 540.772.2992. Deadline October 15th, 2014.
FRIENDS Board of Directors
FRIENDS Staff
President - KEN RANDOLPH, Rockydale Quarries, Corp Vice President - DAVID POTEET, Nomad Mobile Guides Secretary - LYNN DAVIS, Virginia Tech College of Natural Resources & Environment Treasurer - J. RICHARD WELLS, Lesiure Media 360 WILLIAM BRENTON, JR., The Brenton Group MARY JANE FERGUSON, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians STEVE BEYER, Leisure Media 360 JONATHAN IRELAND, Ballyhack Golf Club MARTHA BOGLE, National Park Service Superintendent, Retired KIM BLAIR, Ferrum College KYLE EDGELL, Caricature Artist
SUSAN JACKSON MILLS, PH.D, Executive Director MICHELE G. CRIM, Director of Marketing & Donor Fundraising FERNANDO GRACIA, Director of Programs & Community Outreach BROOKE NUNLEY, Membership Services Coordinator MARY ELLEN BELCHER, Administrative Assistant
4
FRIENDS Volunteer Staff Erin Contour Jill Darlington-Smith Kathy Van Duzer Virginia Ehrich
Regis ter Now!
Richard Hoffman Pam McCallister Pauline O’Dell
P.O. Box 20986 Roanoke, Virginia 24018 540.772.2992 | 800.228.PARK (7275) www.FriendsBRP.org | Staff@FriendsBRP.org