Greetings!
"Someone's sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago."
This wonderful quote attributed to Warren Buffet sums up so much of the work we do in conservation in your park. It applies literally to planting trees on our shores and figuratively to protecting sea turtle nests, looking for ways to address Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD), and community outreach like education, advocacy and events.
In the past month, our trails crew, volunteers, and partners from Iowa State University planted 750 mangroves in the first phase of an Iowa State University and Friends of Virgin Islands National Park collaboration on a large-scale mangrove restoration project in the Annaberg and Leinster Bay areas. The goal of the project is to re-establish sustainable mangrove communities that were devastated by Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017. In total 1500 trees will be planted by the end of November 2023.
In this season of thanks and giving we are grateful for the joy and success of the Paddle The Park and Villas For the Park fundraisers, for the 65 volunteers who have monitored our beaches daily since July for sea turtle nesting activity, for the excited reaction everyone has had to the reintroduction of the Reef Bay Hike, and for the engagement of our local schools in our School Kids In The Park program. The 2022/23 season is off to a strong start!
We invite you to save the date for the Friends of Virgin Islands National Park Annual Meeting on Saturday, January 28 from 11AM to 2PM. We are excited to have Mr. Robert Stanton, 15th Director of the National Park Service and Superintendent of Virgin Islands National Park (1971-1974) as our keynote speaker, and look forward to providing an update on our work and our park.
I thank you for your shared belief in creating 'shade' for future generations and wish you a wonderful holiday season!
Warmly,
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Tonia Lovejoy
Executive Director
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Mangrove Restoration & Trails Volunteerism |
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Iowa State University and Friends of Virgin Islands National Park are collaborating on a large-scale mangrove restoration project in the Annaberg and Leinster Bay areas. The goal of the project is to re-establish sustainable mangrove communities that were devastated by Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017.
In total 1500 trees will be planted. 750 were just planted in November and 750 will be planted next year in November 2023. The focus species for plantings are Red Mangrove (Rhizophora mangle), White Mangrove (Laguncularia racemosa), Black Mangrove (Avicennia germinans), and Buttonwood (Conocarpus erectus). The plantings are occurring in clusters around the edge of the wetland and being fenced to protect them from marauding herbivores like white-tailed deer, donkeys, and goats.
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Our ability to plant trees to restore vegetation and address issues like beach erosion, as well as maintain the 27 miles of trails and 30 ruins in the park is possible thanks to an amazing group of volunteers. If you have some free time, we invite you to join the trails crew for a morning! The walkup trails volunteer program runs on Tuesdays and Thursdays through the end of June 2023.
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Turtle Protection & Education |
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As the season starts to end, we would like to thank the 65 volunteers who check our beaches daily for nesting activity. Total nest counts so far this season is 19 (Hawksbill: 15; Leatherback: 2; Green: 2). In all 1,119 hatchlings have made it to the ocean! There are currently 6 hawksbill nests incubating.
Education outreach is an integral part of the Turtle Protection Program. 5 classroom visits and field trips have taken place so far this school year and the team spoke at the Virgin Islands Professional Charter Association Yacht Show at Yacht Haven Grande on St. Thomas last month to promote turtle friendly behavior and practices to VI charter crew and businesses.
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Get to know the turtle team!
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Annaberg Cultural Program |
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At one time Annaberg was the largest plantation on the island and is well worth a visit for anyone interested in the history, culture, and rich heritage on St. John.
Demonstrators of traditional cooking and gardening will be on site every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 10AM to 2PM showcasing island breads and cakes and the nutritional and medicinal qualities of local fruits and plants.
In addition, every second Friday of the month until the end of June, you can sign up to join a guided tour by park docent Mark Mahowald and learn about the history of the Annaberg plantation ruins, the colonial history of St John, and the process of sugar production.
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New Friends License Plates |
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Friends is introducing new license plates featuring the endangered sea turtles found in our waters. These new plates replace the existing Trunk Bay plates which will expire on December 31, 2023. Per the Bureau of Motor Vehicles all current Friends plates will be invalid after that date. Holders must change their plates to new Friends turtle license plates or Virgin Islands plates before the end of 2023. |
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Annual Audubon Bird Count |
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Tuesday December 13, 4:30 – 5:30pm. 2022 Bird ID Refresher at Raintree Cafe, Cinnamon Bay Campground. This audio-visual seminar led by retired ranger Laurel Brannick incorporates both bird pictures and calls, to prepare counters in the Audubon Society Bird Count happening December 17 on St John. Even if you are not counting birds, you will find the presentation useful for identifying birds as you hike St John trails and beaches. This presentation is free and open to the public!
Saturday December 17, St John Audubon Annual Bird Count. Anyone interested in taking part should sign up at the Dec 13 presentation or contact
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Villas For The Park Thanks |
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Thank you to everyone who bid on Villas For The Park and to all the amazing owners and managers who donated stays across our Virgin Islands.
Collectively you raised $128,200 to support the protection and preservation of the natural and cultural resources in Virgin Islands National Park.
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Huge thanks to Banana Tree Villas, Bombalassy Villa, Cane Bay Sanctuary, Catch ’n Keep Cottage, Coral Caribe Villa, Cruz Bay Boutique Hotel, Dahlia Villa, Dream Come True, Fish Tales Cottage, Gaia’s Pearl, Garden By The Sea, Just Add Rum, Lime Time, Lovango Resort & Beach Club, Marketplace Suites,, Mayan Sky Villa, Heritage Cottage, Mykonos Villa, On A Clear Day, Paradise Carest, Perelandra Villa, Rainbow Hideaway, Rebecca’s Fancy, Riley’s Retreat, Siempre Azul, Stonehouse, Sunset Ridge Villa, The Fred Boutique Resort & Spa, The Hills St John, The Green Iguana Hotel, The Other World Villa, The Ritz-Carlton, Tre Scalini Villa, Tropical Blessings, Villa Adagio, Villa Bonita, Villa Circe, Villa Dal Mare, Villa Di Pace, Villa Madeline, Wharfside Village Hotel, and Windsong Villa! |
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This community rocks! One final thank you to everyone that made Paddle The Park a great success!
The paddlers who sweated it out and still finished with smiles; the volunteers including a crew of school kids putting in community services hours, who make this event possible; and the sponsors who ensure that that Paddle The Park raised $15,000 for marine and other conservation work in the Park.
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Annual Meeting
January 28, 2023
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You are invited to attend the Friends of Virgin Islands National Park Annual Meeting on Saturday, January 28 from 11AM to 2PM. This public meeting is an opportunity for the National Park Service, Friends and community leaders to deliver updates on priorities for the park. The keynote speaker will be Mr. Robert Stanton, 15th Director of the National Park Service and Superintendent of Virgin Islands National Park (1971-1974).
The meeting will take place in the park. Details will be forthcoming. It would help us to know how many people are planning on attending so we would ask that you please register below.
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Seminars, Hikes, & Boat Trips
2022/23 Season Schedule
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This season Friends has a full schedule of seminars, hikes, demonstrations, boat trips, and volunteer opportunities with something going on every day from Monday to Friday until the end of June 2023. Many of these events are free but still require registration. All of this information and more as well as a full calendar of events is available on our website. Follow us on Facebook or Instagram to get regular reminders and updates on happenings and events!
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Useful Numbers for Park Stewards |
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